Antiseptic toxicity in wounds healing by secondary intention

The effects of two commonly used antiseptics for chronic ulcer care, chloramine T and chlorhexidine, on the biochemical and histological parameters of healing have been examined. The antiseptics were compared with saline when applied to 10 mm skin defects on Sprague-Dawley rats. Chloramine T significantly delayed the production of collagen and prolonged the acute inflammatory response compared with saline. Chlorhexidine did not differ from saline. We conclude that hypochlorite antiseptics may adversely affect healing by secondary intention and the antibacterial and desloughing action of agents should be carefully balanced against their toxic effect.