A-Septical AS Gel

A-Septical AS Gel is a topical antiseptic gel supplied in a 15 g pack for application on the skin. According to the product record, its key antiseptic active ingredient is chlorhexidine gluconate, a broad-spectrum antiseptic from the biguanide class that is widely used in skin and hand hygiene products around the world. The formulation is a clear, non-greasy gel that is designed to be spread thinly over the skin and left to dry.

As a gel-based antiseptic, the product is intended for external use only, and it should never be swallowed, put into the eyes or ears, or applied inside the mouth or other moist body surfaces. Antiseptic gels of this type may have an alcohol-containing base, which can make the product feel cool on application and dry quickly, and also means that it should be kept away from open flames and sources of heat until fully dry. The full list of inactive ingredients is printed on the carton, and customers who have known sensitivities to alcohol, fragrance or preservatives should check it before use.

Chlorhexidine is a well-known ingredient with a long safety record at the concentrations used in over-the-counter products, but it is also one of the more frequently reported causes of allergic skin reactions among antiseptics, which is why a patch check on a small area is sensible for first-time users. A-Septical AS Gel is a compact tube that fits easily in a first aid kit, a handbag or a school bag. As with all OTC products, please read the pack label, keep it out of reach of children, and speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure whether it suits you or your child.

A-Septical AS Gel is for external use on the skin only. Wash your hands first, and keep the gel away from the eyes, ears, mouth and other mucous membranes.

• Clean the skin area gently with clean water and pat it dry, removing any visible dirt, and rinse off any soap residue thoroughly.
• Squeeze a small amount of gel onto a clean fingertip or a sterile cotton bud, and spread a thin layer over the area.
• Apply 2 to 3 times daily, or as directed by your doctor or pharmacist, and allow the gel to dry.
• If needed, the area may be covered with a clean, sterile dressing after the gel has dried.
• Do not apply to deep wounds, puncture wounds, animal bites or serious burns, and do not apply to large areas of the body.
• Close the cap tightly after use, and do not allow the tube nozzle to touch the skin or a wound.

The usual label directions are to apply a thin layer to the affected skin area 2 to 3 times daily, or as directed by a doctor or pharmacist.

• Adults and children: a thin layer on the area only, 2 to 3 times a day. Use the smallest amount that covers the area.
• Young children: use only under adult supervision and speak to a pharmacist or doctor first about suitability for the child’s age.
• Missed application: apply it when remembered, and carry on as normal. Do not apply extra amounts to make up for a missed one.
• Duration: use for the shortest time needed and do not continue for longer than the label advises. If the area looks worse or shows signs of infection, stop and see a doctor.
• Accidental swallowing or eye contact: rinse the eyes thoroughly with clean water for several minutes and contact a doctor or poison centre.

Use before the expiry date printed on the tube and the outer carton. Do not use the gel after this date, and discard any gel that looks discoloured, separated or contaminated.

Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, heat and open flames, and keep the cap tightly closed. Keep the tube out of the sight and reach of children.

• Common: Mild skin dryness, tightness or a brief stinging or burning sensation on application, particularly on skin that is already sensitive or irritated.
• Common: Mild redness or irritation at the application site, which usually settles when the gel is stopped.
• Uncommon: Contact dermatitis with itching, rash or blistering in people who are sensitive to chlorhexidine, alcohol or other ingredients in the base.
• Serious: Severe allergic reaction, including hives, swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, which has been reported rarely with chlorhexidine and requires emergency medical care.
• Serious: Contact with the eyes may cause painful and potentially serious eye injury, and entry into the ear canal may harm the ear; rinse thoroughly and seek medical attention straight away.
• Serious: Spreading redness, swelling, warmth, pus or fever around the treated area may signal an infection that needs medical review.

• Known hypersensitivity (allergy) to chlorhexidine, alcohol or any other ingredient in the gel.
• A previous severe allergic reaction to a chlorhexidine-containing product.
• Application to the eyes, inside the ears, or on the lining of the mouth, nose or other mucous membranes.
• Deep wounds, puncture wounds, animal bites and serious burns, which need medical assessment instead of self-care.

• Soaps and detergents: Chlorhexidine can be inactivated by soap and some anionic detergents, so rinse the skin well and dry it before applying the gel.
• Other topical products: Do not apply other creams, ointments or antiseptics, especially iodine-based products, on the same area at the same time without advice from a pharmacist, as this can cause irritation or reduce effectiveness.
• Heat and flame: If the gel has an alcohol base it can be flammable, so do not apply it near an open flame, cigarette, hot cooking surface or electrical heat source until it has dried completely.
• Systemic medicines: No significant interactions with oral medicines are expected, because very little chlorhexidine is absorbed through intact skin.
• Food and drink: No food or drink interactions are known.

• Wash your hands before and after applying the gel so that germs are not transferred to the skin or the tube.
• Test a small amount on an unbroken patch of skin the first time you use it, especially if you have sensitive skin or allergies.
• Rinse off soap properly before applying the gel, because soap residues can reduce the activity of chlorhexidine.
• Keep the tube away from naked flames, lit cigarettes and heaters, and let the gel dry fully before approaching heat.
• Store the tube in your first aid kit with the cap closed, and check its expiry date from time to time.
• Use a clean cotton bud or fingertip for each application rather than reusing a dirty tissue, and do not dip the nozzle onto the skin.

Precautions: Do a small patch test before first use if you have sensitive skin, eczema or a history of allergy, and stop at once if itching, rash or swelling develops. Do not apply to deep or heavily contaminated wounds, burns of larger size, animal bites or puncture wounds, which need medical assessment. Avoid use on large areas of skin and avoid prolonged use, since this can dry or irritate the skin. Keep the gel out of the eyes, ears and mouth. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before use in infants, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if you have a history of severe allergic reactions.

When to See a Doctor or Pharmacist: See a doctor if the skin area shows spreading redness, increasing pain, swelling, warmth, pus or a bad smell, or if you develop a fever. Seek medical help if the skin area was caused by a deep, dirty or animal-inflicted wound, or if it has not looked better after a few days. Stop using the gel and get urgent help if you develop a widespread rash, wheezing, swelling of the face or throat, or any eye injury.