Note: For healthcare professionals. Not general wound care advice.
**This card summarizes commonly used concentrations and IFU-aligned practices for contaminated or critically colonized wounds. Local protocols and product labeling always take precedence.**
🌱 Normal Saline 0.9%
Dilution: None
Contact: Rinse
Role: First-line mechanical cleansing; low cytotoxicity
⚠️ Povidone-Iodine (PVP-I)
Dilution: 10% → 1% (1:10)
Contact: 1–2 min
After: Rinse
Use: Contaminated / critically colonized wounds
Avoid: Routine use in clean, granulating wounds
⚠️ Chlorhexidine (CHG)
Target: 0.05%
From 2% → 1 + 39 mL
From 4% → 1 + 79 mL
Contact: 1–2 min
After: Rinse
Use: Short-term bioburden reduction
Caution: Cytotoxicity; avoid prolonged exposure
⚠️ PHMB
Strength: 0.02–0.1% (RTU)
Contact: 5–10 min
After: Often leave per IFU
Use: Chronic wounds, biofilm management
⚠️ Octenidine
Strength: 0.05–0.1% (RTU)
Contact: 1–2 min
After: May leave per IFU
Use: High bioburden / colonized wounds
⚠️ Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl)
Strength: 0.01–0.05% (RTU)
Contact: Seconds–minutes
After: Usually leave
Use: Low cytotoxic option for frequent cleansing
‼️ CLINICAL RULES
Low pressure irrigation
Short nozzle distance
Do NOT mix antiseptics
If sequential use is unavoidable → saline flush between agents
Always consider wound type, phase, and local protocol
Note: Stock iodine and CHG are for intact skin; wound-safe concentrations require significant dilutions to reduce cytotoxicity while preserving antimicrobial effect.
Indicative Refs
Ortega-Llamas L, Quiñones-Vico MI, García-Valdivia M, Fernández-González A, Ubago-Rodríguez A, Sanabria-de la Torre R, Arias-Santiago S. Cytotoxicity and Wound Closure Evaluation in Skin Cell Lines after Treatment with Common Antiseptics for Clinical Use. Cells. 2022 Apr 20;11(9):1395. doi: 10.3390/cells11091395. PMID: 35563705; PMCID: PMC9099882.
Nair HKR et al (2023) International Consensus Document: Use of wound antiseptics in practice. Wounds International. Available online at http://www.woundsinternational. com
Armstrong, D. G., Bohn, G., Glat, P., Kavros, S. J., Kirsner, R., Snyder, R., & Tettelbach, W. (2015). Expert Recommendations for the Use of Hypochlorous Solution: Science and Clinical Application. Ostomy/wound management, 61(5), S2–S19.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Povidone iodine, aqueous solution. MSF Medical Guidelines. Available at: https://lnkd.in/dmZS-Crw
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
