Topical antimicrobial agents in wound care

For patients with infected wounds, two basic treatment protocols are available for medical practioners systemic administration of antibiotics, and topical appUcation of antimicrobial agents on the wounded area directly. While systemic antibiotics are outside the scope of this ch ter, over the years many topical antimicrobial agents have been used to treat wound infection. These are briefly summarized below. In addition to these main materials, other antimicrobial agents that can be used in wound management include tea tree oil and gentian violet ointmaiL Extracts of tea are also said to have inhibitory effects on MRS A. 

Hydrogen peroxide has been widely used as an antiseptic and disinfectant. A 3% solution has most often been used to clean wounds. It is a clear, colorless liquid 

Iodine is an element that was discovered in 1811. It is a dark-violet sohd that dissolves in alcohol and potassium iodide. Its first reported use in treating wounds was by Davies in 1839, and later it was used in the American Civil War. Early products caused pain, irritation, and skin discoloration, but since 1949 the development of iodine compounds such as povidone iodine and cadexomer iodine has yielded safer and less painful formulations. 

Honey has been used in wound-managanent practice for a long time and many therapeutic properties have been attributed to it, including antibacterial activity and the ability to promote healing. Evidence of antibacterial activity is extensive, with more than 70 microbial species reported to be susceptible. 

Silver has a long history as an antimicrobial agent, especially in the treatment of bums. Metallic silver is relatively unreactive, but in the aqueous environment silver ions are 

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