Abstract

A REVIEW ON MOLECULAR IODINE (I2) AND ITS TOPICAL APPLICATION ON SKIN AS AN ANTISEPTIC

*Chhaya Bakshi, Anil Kejriwal, Mamta Siroula, Dr. Amit, Khadija Afrin and Vaishali Sethi

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Abstract

Molecular iodine(I2) has been used as one of the most effective antimicrobial agents as antiseptic as well as disinfectant. It has in use for many years as an antimicrobial agent in hospitals, laboratories and in the world of pharmaceutical industry. Molecular iodine(I2) in its different chemical form has a number of beneficial effects on human being internally and externally but in this review paper we have mentioned the use of molecular iodine(I2) as an antimicrobial agent when applied topically to the human skin. Many published literatures and research papers show that molecular iodine among the different chemical forms of iodine is acting as antiseptic and disinfectant, responsible for the antimicrobial effect and also concluded by many studies that molecular iodine(I2) has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity on almost all species of microbes such as bacteria, fungi, algae, virus etc. Molecular iodine(I2) has been proved for its non-irritant and non-harmful behaviour when applied as topical agent on skin and has been in use for almost 200 years as topical antiseptic for application on cuts, wounds, skin etc. The purpose of this review paper is to assemble and gather the fragmented data or information about the molecular iodine, its uses, antimicrobial properties, topical application on skin with the help of various studies and research that had conducted in the past and prove that molecular iodine(I2) is one of the ideal antimicrobial agents among the all-existing antimicrobial agents.

Keywords: Molecular iodine (I2), topical antiseptic, antimicrobial, disinfectant, microcidal agent.