Chlorhexidine is a common and important chemical substance widely used in the fields of disinfection and preservation in medical and daily life. As an effective biguanide compound, Chlorhexidine has attracted much attention due to its strong antibacterial properties and relatively low toxicity, especially playing a crucial role in places with high cleanliness requirements such as hospitals, dental clinics, and operating rooms.

Figure 1 Characteristics of Chlorhexidine

Chemical properties and mechanism of action of Chlorhexidine

From a chemical structure perspective, Chlorhexidine belongs to cationic surfactants and has a biguanide structure. This chemical property enables it to effectively destroy bacterial cell membranes. Specifically, Chlorhexidine interferes with the integrity of bacterial cell membranes by adsorbing onto their cell walls, leading to leakage of intracellular substances and ultimately causing bacterial death. It has good antibacterial effects on both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, and also has a certain inhibitory effect on yeast, fungi, and some viruses.

However, the bactericidal effect of Chlorhexidine is not achieved overnight. Its effect is gradual - usually requiring a certain amount of contact time to achieve optimal bactericidal effect. This characteristic makes Chlorhexidine particularly effective in long-term antibacterial treatments, such as skin disinfection before surgery or long-lasting antibacterial mouthwash in oral care.

Widely used in the medical field

The most well-known application areas of Chlorhexidine are in medical environments, especially in skin and mucosal disinfection, as well as sterilization treatment of surgical instruments. In surgical procedures, skin disinfection in the surgical area is one of the important steps for successful surgery and infection prevention. Chlorhexidine has become one of the preferred disinfectants for preoperative skin treatment due to its efficient killing ability against various pathogens. In addition, it is also used to prevent catheter-related infections, such as central venous catheters or urethral catheters, where bacterial infections are often one of the sources of hospital acquired infections.

Application in Dentistry and Oral Care

Chlorhexidine also plays an important role in the field of dentistry, particularly in oral hygiene and the prevention and treatment of gum disease. As an active ingredient in antibacterial mouthwash, Chlorhexidine can effectively reduce the formation of dental plaque and lower the incidence of gingivitis and periodontal disease. The use of Chlorhexidine mouthwash after dental surgery can help control bacterial levels in the mouth, promote postoperative recovery, and reduce the risk of infection.

However, Chlorhexidine may cause side effects of tooth surface discoloration during long-term use, so it is usually recommended to use it in the short term and under the guidance of a dentist for proper use.

Applications in Industry and Daily Life

In addition to its wide applications in the medical and dental fields, the anti-corrosion and antibacterial properties of Chlorhexidine in daily life cannot be ignored. For example, personal care products such as antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer often contain Chlorhexidine as an active ingredient. Its low toxicity and minimal skin irritation make it an ideal choice for daily household cleaning and disinfection products.

In addition, Chlorhexidine is also used for equipment cleaning and disinfection in the food industry, helping to ensure the hygiene and safety of the production environment.

Safety and Environmental Impact

Although Chlorhexidine is widely used, its safety still needs attention. Research has shown that Chlorhexidine is generally safe for external use, but may cause skin allergic reactions or irritation under specific conditions. Especially in high concentrations or long-term exposure, users should pay extra attention.

From an environmental perspective, the issue of residual Chlorhexidine in water bodies has also attracted the attention of some environmental organizations. As a persistent chemical substance, Chlorhexidine is difficult to naturally degrade in aquatic environments and may pose certain hazards to aquatic ecosystems. Appropriate waste management measures should be taken during use and disposal to reduce potential impact on the environment.