Final answer:
The iodine antiseptic of choice for wound treatment is povidone-iodine, known by the brand name Betadine. It is an iodophor, which increases stability and minimizes skin irritation, making it preferred over hydrogen peroxide for its efficacy and safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The iodine antiseptic of choice for wound treatment is povidone-iodine, commonly recognized under the brand name Betadine. Povidone-iodine is an iodophor, which means that the iodine is complexed with an organic molecule, enhancing both its stability and efficacy as a disinfectant. This antiseptic is favored because it slowly releases iodine, minimizing skin irritation and staining compared to tinctures of iodine.
Betadine is widely used in medical settings for pre-surgical hand scrubbing by healthcare workers and for disinfecting a patient's skin prior to an incision. In contrast, while hydrogen peroxide used to be prevalent for wound treatment due to its availability and low cost, it is now understood to potentially inhibit healing and induce scarring, thus povidone-iodine is often preferred.