first-aid wipes question

[Justin Marney]

What is the difference/application for each:

Benzalkonium wipes
Isopropyl Alcohol wipes
Povidone-Iodine wipes

I have some of each from different kits and I'm trying to determine why I'd bring one over the other.

[Peter Barron]

Ostensibly they are all skin disinfectants and potentially antiseptics although I would not use them as such. There is a difference.

They all have different spectrums of activity against microbes depending on their concentration and addition other agents.

Iodine can be used as an in wound antiseptic however it depends on the concentration hence I would count it and the others out as in-wound agents (ie can irritate and damage exposed tissue more than protect them).

As skin disinfectants (unbroken skin) they are all probably effective enough.

As a side, saline (0.9%) flush (mix it your self?), dilute chlorhexadine (0.05% – I think that's the right conc.) flush are good wound antiseptics and filtered water (not as ideal) will do. How about a cliche "the solution to pollution is dilution"

I was trying to think of how the wipes could be multi-use agents but I am gathering they are all on postage stamp sized pieces.

Maybe take the alcohol swabs as they are skin cooling/cleaning and maybe can be used as tinder???

Does this help?

Cheers,

Pete.

[Justin Marney]

Peter,

Pointing out the difference between disinfectant and antiseptic definitely helps. Using that knowledge I was able to find this: http://hubpages.com/hub/Guide-to-First-Aid-Swabs-Towelettes-Wipes which is a great description of each type of wipe and its application. It seems like bringing a few alcohol wipes for disinfecting tools and hands as well as back up tinder is a good idea. For wound cleansing pov-iodine would be the main resource due to its painless nature. No one I hike with is allergic to iodine so the use of benzalkonium seems redundant when pov-iodine wipes are carried. Thanks for the help!

[EndoftheTrail]

Can a bottle of Purell hand sanitizer be used to disinfect cuts and scrapes in lieu of wipes? If so, then that will eliminate waste burning or disposal (or packing out).

[Mary D]

If a substance makes the wound sting (as hand sanitizer does), you don't want to use it because is harming the tissue and therefore delaying healing. Or so I've been told by my ER physician son-in-law. I just flush with filtered or treated water.

[Anonymous]

I'd go with Mary, with the additional step of applying an antibiotic ointment before dressing the wound. I've treated a couple of nasty cuts this way and remained in the backcountry for a week or so afterward, infection free.

[EndoftheTrail]

Good points, Mary and Tom.

Perhaps clean water and purell (the latter if needed and when appropriate) are all we need to disinfect — and thus no need for disinfectant wipes? Applying oinment when dressing the wound is a good idea too.

Here in southern Cal — burning trash is often not an option — and so I am always looking for ways to minimize trash.

[Anonymous]

Definitely a consideration, Ben, but I can tell you from my experience that if you do have the misfortune to cut yourself or otherwise break the skin, the last thing on your mind will be how much trash you will have to deal with.
All you want to do is get that puppy cleaned, disinfected, and protected. Mwaaaaahaha.! Mommeeeee!!

[EndoftheTrail]

Actually, as far back as I can remember — which would be about 3 or 4 years old — I have never once cried over a wound or hurt. Cursing is just so much more effective. :)

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