THE ROLE OF ANTISEPTIC AGENTS IN PYODERMA: EFFICACY AND SAFETY

Abstract

 Background: Pyoderma, a common purulent skin infection in both humans and animals, is traditionally managed with systemic antibiotics. However, the increasing bacterial resistance—especially among methicillin‐resistant staphylococci—has heightened interest in the use of topical antiseptic agents. The antiseptics’ potential to deliver high local concentrations with a lower risk of systemic toxicity makes them attractive alternatives or adjuncts to systemic therapy. Objectives: This article reviews the modern role of antiseptic agents in the treatment of pyoderma, focusing on efficacy and safety. The study synthesizes clinical data, in vitro susceptibility profiles, and adverse effect data from multiple investigations. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted across several databases. Data were extracted regarding the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of common pyoderma pathogens (e.g., Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Staphylococcus aureus) to topical antiseptics (chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine, benzalkonium chloride, among others) and clinical studies reporting treatment outcomes. Data were synthesized into descriptive summaries and tabulated to compare clinical efficacy, safety profiles, and adverse events. Results: Recent studies indicate that antiseptics such as chlorhexidine formulations and povidone-iodine demonstrate broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and remain effective against both methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant isolates. Clinical studies reported comparable improvement in lesion resolution when using topical antiseptics compared with systemic therapy in cases of superficial pyoderma. Adverse effects tend to be mild and mostly local (e.g., skin irritation), with a favorable safety profile when used at appropriate concentrations. Conclusions: Topical antiseptic agents offer a viable alternative or adjunct to systemic antibiotic therapy in the management of pyoderma, especially in the light of growing resistance concerns. Their ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and minimal systemic toxicity underscore their importance. Future research should focus on standardizing treatment protocols and exploring combination strategies with systemic agents to further reduce the risk of resistance.