Uses and Applications of Chlorhexidine
- Disinfectant and antiseptic
- Skin disinfection before surgery
- Sterilization of surgical instruments
- Cleaning wounds
- Prevention of dental plaque
- Topical use for surgical scrubs, skin wounds, and preoperative skin preparation
- Dental use for reducing plaque build-up and improving mild gingivitis
- Veterinary uses for topical disinfection of wounds and managing skin infections in animals
- Use in the dairy farming industry
- Use as eye drops for Acanthamoeba keratitis
- Reduction of incidence of omphalitis and neonatal mortality
- Use as a disinfectant in industrial settings
- Use as an ingredient in dental products

Antiseptic Properties of Chlorhexidine
- Active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms
- Effective against facultative anaerobes, aerobes, and yeasts
- Particularly effective against Gram-positive bacteria
- Ineffective against polioviruses and adenoviruses
- More effective than povidone-iodine for clean surgery

Side Effects and Precautions of Chlorhexidine
- Ototoxicity if put into a ruptured eardrum
- Does not meet European specifications for hand disinfectant
- Daily bathing with chlorhexidine reduces the risk of hospital-acquired infections
- Prolonged use may have carcinogenic potential
- Stomach irritation or nausea if ingested, high concentration can be fatal if aspirated into lungs
- Corneal damage when there is eye contact
- Discoloration of teeth and tongue
- Biocompatibility issues with dental materials

Benefits of Chlorhexidine
- Reduces the risk of hospital-acquired infections in intensive care unit patients
- Effective in reducing plaque and preventing dental caries
- Used as a preoperative mouthwash to reduce oral bacteria
- Provides antimicrobial activity against a wide range of microorganisms
- Used for wound management in veterinary medicine

Chemical Properties, History, and Research on Chlorhexidine
- Chemical formula: C22H30Cl2N10
- Molecular weight: 505.44 g/mol
- Soluble in water and alcohol
- Exhibits both bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties
- Forms complexes with bacterial cell membranes, disrupting their integrity
- First synthesised in the 1950s
- Initial studies focused on its antiplaque activity
- Extensive research on its antimicrobial properties and clinical applications
- Ongoing research to explore new formulations and uses of chlorhexidine
- Widely used and studied in various medical and dental fields