Active Chlorine Antiseptics in Wound Care: Recent Advances and Perspectives for Military Medicine

The spread of multidrug-resistant microorganisms remains a major global challenge that continues to worsen. Modern military conflicts intensify this problem by forcing healthcare systems to manage large numbers of patients with complex, heavily contaminated injuries in resource-limited settings. This can disrupt infection prevention and control and promote the emergence and spread of resistant pathogens. In this context, antiseptics are essential in combat wound management and should be used throughout patient care, from first aid to rehabilitation. Among them, active chlorine compounds deserve special attention because of their broad-spectrum, rapid microbicidal action, minimal risk of resistance development, good tolerability, and affordability. This review summarizes recent advances in their use for wounds of various origins. Active chlorine preparations are highly effective against microorganisms that commonly complicate acute and chronic wounds, including multidrug-resistant and biofilm-forming pathogens. In addition, their anti-inflammatory, reparative, and immunomodulatory properties may accelerate healing through multiple mechanisms while maintaining low toxicity. The broad range of formulations, from traditional hypochlorous acid solutions to polymers with N-Cl moieties and wearable electrochemical dressings, supports use in both field and hospital settings. Together, these features make active chlorine products promising non-antibiotic tools for modern wound infection control, particularly in military medicine.