The correct answer is C) prevent infection. Antiseptics are chemical agents used to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, on the skin or other living tissues. The primary purpose of using antiseptics is to prevent infection by eliminating or reducing the number of harmful microorganisms that could potentially cause an infection. The other answer choices are not the main functions of antiseptics. While antiseptics may have some secondary effects, such as reducing inflammation (A) or promoting healing (D), their primary purpose is to prevent infection (C) by destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms.