Tag: Skin disinfection

While povidone-iodine is one of the most effective antiseptics for reducing infection risk, the question remains: Can I use iodine and hydrogen peroxide together? [1.4.1] Combining these common household items is generally not recommended for home first aid as they can neutralize each other and irritate the skin [1.3.2, 1.8.1].

Over 290,000 cases of surgical site infections occur annually in the US, making proper antiseptic selection a critical step in patient safety. Two of the most widely used antiseptics are chlorhexidine and povidone-iodine, prompting many to question: **Is chlorhexidine or iodine better?**.