Iodine burn

In the West, they have long since abandoned the use of an alcohol solution of iodine due to its toxicity and negative effect on the skin. But in our country, it is still quite actively used at home as a disinfectant. A 5% solution is mainly used. But even with this concentration, if used incorrectly, you can get an iodine burn.

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Causes iodine burn

Any pathology is based on a certain source and is activated when favorable factors converge. The causes of iodine burns are banal, but this does not diminish the consequences that the disease can lead to.

The first and most common reason can be considered the incorrect use of iodine solution, ignoring safety rules when using and storing chemical compounds.

Often parents use this solution to treat diseases, the relief of which does not require its use. Quite a few patients or parents of sick children, not wanting to contact doctors and referring to alternative medicine methods, invent or take from friends recipes of folk remedies, while not always maintaining the dosage.

A number of doctors prescribe iodine-containing drugs to small patients for normal development of the thyroid gland, but some parents use iodine solution for this purpose, which leads to negative consequences.

A burn can also occur during the process of cauterizing a wound by applying an increased amount of solution to a small area, or by applying iodine to one place for a sufficiently long time.

It is also unacceptable to pour the solution in question onto the wound, as is often done with hydrogen peroxide when stopping bleeding.

Another cause of the lesion may be the use of a chemical compound against the background of immunodeficiency associated with a previous viral infection. A decrease in the body's defenses affects the sensitivity and susceptibility of the body to external influences.

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Pathogenesis

Despite many years of experience in combating burns of various etiologies, the pathogenesis of the process has not yet been fully established. After all, when affecting the outer layers of the mucous membrane and dermis, deeper structural layers often succumb to damage. When more than 10% of the human skin is damaged, various pathologies affecting internal organs are observed. But this picture can hardly touch upon the situation associated with the problem under consideration. It is difficult to imagine an iodine burn of such dimensions, unless the patient fell into a vat with this solution. It is the surface area of necrosis that differentiates the severity of the pathology. Therefore, in our case, most likely, we can talk about damage and death of the upper cells of the dermis.

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Symptoms iodine burn

Excessive "passion" in the treatment of some pathologies with iodine can lead to unpleasant consequences. In this case, manifestations of damage to the skin may not appear immediately, but after a certain time after applying the solution. Symptoms of an iodine burn are similar to manifestations of chemical effects on the dermis, but there are also some peculiarities.

In the case of the lesion in question, there is no formation of large or small blisters, nor are there other factors that accompany a “classic burn”.

This pathology is not classified as dangerous and usually manifests itself only by hyperemia of the affected area. The spot may have a dark shade. When palpated, the procedure does not cause any discomfort. This is more of a cosmetic problem - if the lesion is on an open surface of the body.

It is worth noting right away that there is a category of people who have an individual intolerance to this element. In this case, if there was contact with the chemical, it would not be superfluous to make an appointment with a specialist and undergo a consultation.

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First signs

When the chemical element in question is used correctly, the trace of the applied medicine usually disappears after a few hours. If the concentration was exceeded, the first signs of damage may appear even later in the form of spots similar to pigment spots. Sometimes they resemble a banal bruise. In some cases, the "victim" may feel a slight burning sensation and a desire to scratch the affected area.

Due to the fact that this medicine has a drying effect, it is quite possible that small flaking areas will appear.

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Severe iodine burn

As noted above, getting a severe iodine burn is quite problematic, but theoretically possible. First of all, this concerns damage to the more sensitive mucous membrane. For example, this could be the nasopharynx, larynx, tonsils, and so on.

In this case, further self-medication can only worsen the situation, so a consultation with a qualified doctor is simply necessary. Only he, based on the observed picture of the disease, is able to correctly assess the severity of the pathology and prescribe the most appropriate treatment.

Iodine burn on face

It's the 21st century, but many people still treat a runny nose or pimples by applying iodine solution to their face. Excessive zeal and the principle "the more you apply, the faster you'll recover" do not work here. And the result of such treatment is an iodine burn on the face, which is the most frequently noted discomfort.

Depending on the individual characteristics of the body, traces of application will disappear, but this period is quite extended in time.

Eye burn with iodine

The situation is much more dangerous if the eye is burned with iodine. The retina is a fairly sensitive structure and if adequate measures are not taken quickly and first aid is not provided, the situation can end quite tragically.

In this case, doctors resort to standard therapy inherent in chemical damage to the surface. In any case, after washing the eye with plenty of clean water and carrying out other necessary measures, the victim should be immediately shown to a doctor - an ophthalmologist, who will assess the "damage" and adjust further treatment.

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Throat burn with iodine

Until recently, iodine-containing preparations were used to treat many diseases for the sanitation of the nasopharynx. But an inexperienced medical worker or an ordinary person (during home treatment) could easily exceed the concentration of the drug, which caused a throat burn with iodine. A similar situation can also be caused by incorrect use of such a solution or an accident involving children due to adult negligence.

This situation is quite dangerous and a positive result in stopping the problem largely depends on timely and effective first aid to the victim. And the first thing that needs to be stated is the very fact of the pathological change, the nature and source of the lesion.

As a rule, a targeted lesion of only the throat is quite rare. In most cases, such a lesion also affects the pharynx, larynx, oral cavity, and even the esophagus. This fact must be established for certain.

Iodine solution is a fairly volatile substance, so the burn can also affect the mucous surface of the bronchi and trachea.

The following symptoms should raise alarm:

• The appearance of sharp pain, increasing in intensity when swallowing.
• Nausea.
• The appearance of a gag reflex.
• If the damage affects the trachea and larynx, the voice may change.
• Increased production of saliva.
• An increase in body temperature is possible.
• Coughing fits.
• Breathing problems.
• Hiccups, aggravated by pain, may appear.
• If the esophagus is affected, pain symptoms may appear in the chest area, which intensifies during coughing and hiccups.

Tonsil burn with iodine

Chemical injuries are often more harmful to the body than thermal ones. Lately, oddly enough, tonsil burns with iodine are an increasingly common diagnosis given to patients by doctors. The reason for the increase in such cases is the incorrect, and sometimes completely absurd, use of iodine solution in the treatment of sore throat and tonsil damage.

As absurd as it may sound, some patients took the tincture in question to quickly get rid of tonsillitis or pharyngitis, citing advice from alternative medicine.

Such fake sites recommend using irrigation or lubricating the tonsils with a swab soaked in iodine solution, which is absolutely unacceptable! Undiluted or slightly diluted preparation cannot be applied to a fairly delicate and sensitive mucous membrane, since this chemical compound, in such concentrations, is very aggressive to living cells. Such contact leads to necrosis of living tissue, causing their burn.

It is worth remembering that even iodine-containing preparations, such as Lugol and Yox, developed specifically for this purpose, are prohibited for use in cases of serious inflammation of the tissues of the pharynx and tonsils, when they are swollen and give off intense redness. Since in such a situation there is a high probability of formation of open wounds.

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Hand burn with iodine

Recently, the chemical compound in question has been used less and less in medicine due to the often occurring negative consequences, while it remains in demand at home. The upper limbs have not been spared by this lesion either. Having received an injury, many, in the old-fashioned way, treat them by pouring iodine solution. Due to the different sensitivity thresholds of the skin, a hand burn with iodine is not uncommon. It is not uncommon for a patient to first treat a wound on his hand, and then a burn from the medicine.

Quite often iodine is used to treat the consequences of dislocation (swelling and local pain), inflammatory processes in joints and soft tissues. But in order not to cause harm, it is applied in the form of a grid. Due to its volatility, after a short period of time the mark begins to fade and disappears completely. But when applying high concentrations or multiple application of the substance to the same place, especially if the patient has dry skin and increased sensitivity of the dermis, a burn is possible. It occurs as a response of the skin directly to alcohol and an individual reaction to a microelement (an allergic reaction with its own symptoms).

No one refutes the beneficial properties of the chemical element in question, but its negative impact on the dermis is also undeniable.

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Burn of the mucous membrane of the gum with iodine

Chemical or thermal damage to the gums is one of the most common pathologies. And no one is immune from the occurrence of such a problem. Chemical or medicinal damage can be obtained as a result of uncontrolled use of a drug or exceeding the dosage of a strong active substance.

It is not uncommon for a burn of the mucous membrane of the gum to occur with iodine after using this solution in an attempt to stop inflammation or remove aching pain in the tooth (advice from traditional medicine). Therefore, in order to prevent such damage, you should not allow iodine to come into contact with the mucous membrane.

A burn on the mucous membrane of the gum is very specific and is expressed by an intense red tint of the affected area, significant swelling. With prolonged treatment of the gum with iodine, the patient can acquire a fairly deep lesion of the mucous tissues, up to their necrosis.

In case of severe burns and the appearance of scars, there is a high probability that surgical treatment of the problem will be prescribed.

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Iodine burn in a child

The skin of a small person has not yet become rough and is very tender and sensitive. Therefore, an iodine burn in a child can be caused both by the treatment of severe wounds and by minor contact with the drug. But we can say for sure that such a lesion in a baby is a direct negligence of adults, whether it is improper use in the treatment of a particular pathology, or ignoring the rules for storing the drug. After all, every adult knows that any drugs and dangerous toxic compounds must be stored in places inaccessible to children.

There are several most common causes of burns:

1. An allergic reaction of the baby's body to iodine or its derivatives.
2. Increased sensitivity threshold.
3. Incorrect dosage of the drug.
4. Uncontrolled availability.
5. Use of traditional medicine recipes in treatment. For example, when stimulating the thyroid gland, some parents, instead of iodine-containing drugs (due to their high cost), use a "pure" iodine solution.

If one of the parents has an intolerance to iodine and its preparations, it is worthwhile, before starting treatment with iodine-containing products, to undergo a corresponding susceptibility test with the child. The essence of the method is simple. A drop of iodine diluted in water is applied to the inside of the bend of the wrist or elbow joint of the upper limb. Over the course of a couple of hours, it is necessary to monitor the appearance of a possible response. If hyperemia or slight swelling occurs, a conclusion is made about not allowing the introduction of iodine solution into the treatment protocol. In such a situation, a consultation with an allergist will not hurt.

Forms

According to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD code 10), the pathology considered in this article belongs to the category of chemical burns and has a definition code T20 - T32. Within this framework, differentiation is made by localization of the problem:

• T20 - T25 – burn site – external surfaces, divided by their location.
• T26 - T28 – chemical burn of the eye and internal organs.
• T29 - T32 – multiple lesions and unspecified location.

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Complications and consequences

Again, the consequences of the development of the pathology in question largely depend on the characteristics of the organism and the degree of tissue damage when they come into contact with iodine.

In case of a mild degree of damage, no significant consequences should be expected. Whereas, under certain circumstances and a sufficiently severe burn, necrotic areas are formed at the site of damage, after which scars and pigment-unprotected areas remain.

How long does an iodine burn last?

If you turn to the experience of doctors or analyze the relevant Internet forums, you can conclude that many respondents are interested in the question of how long does an iodine burn last? But no doctor will give you a definitive figure.

This parameter directly depends on the individual characteristics of the human body and the level of reproductive capacity of cells, as well as the severity of tissue damage.

If acne pimples on the face were cauterized, then it is quite possible that after two or three days the traces of micro burns will disappear. In case of more severe damage to the mucous membrane or dermis, this process can stretch out for quite a long period, up to several months or even a year.

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Complications

Iodine burns usually do not cause any significant changes in the structure of tissues. But one should not be careless about such lesions. The complications that a person who is fond of iodine therapy risks getting are terrifying. After all, there are cases in world practice, and this is documented, when burns caused by iodine caused skin cancer. It is for this reason that in civilized countries this medicine has not been used in therapy for ten years.

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Diagnostics iodine burn

If the outer surface of the skin has been exposed to pathological influence, then there will be no significant problems in establishing the cause of the lesion, its localization and severity. A visual examination by a specialist will be sufficient.

But if it so happens that the lesion has affected the mucous membrane of internal organs, then to identify the scale and complexity of the pathology, iodine burn diagnostics may include other instrumental and laboratory research methods.

• The first thing the doctor does is determine the type of burn: thermal or chemical.
• The localization of the problem is determined.
• Area of the affected area.
• The severity of the defeat.
• The nature of the scabs.
• Other accompanying symptoms are analyzed. This is especially true if the lesion affects the internal mucous layers and deeper tissues: larynx, tonsils, pharynx.
• If the burn has affected the nasopharynx, the doctor may additionally prescribe a study of the esophageal mucosa and lung tissue to confirm or refute the presence of pathological changes in them.

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Tests

If a patient with an iodine burn has contacted a specialist, no tests are performed. The attending physician may prescribe laboratory tests for preventive purposes. Then the examination will include a standard package of tests:

• Clinical urine analysis.
• Clinical blood test.

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Instrumental diagnostics

As in the case of tests, instrumental diagnostics are rarely used in establishing an iodine burn.

In isolated cases, if the lesion has affected the nasopharynx, the doctor may refer the patient for diagnostics using radiography and fluoroscopy. If necessary, the following may be connected:

• Linear and computed tomography – obtaining a layered image of the condition of the lungs.
• Laryngoscopy is a basic method of examining the larynx, performed using a laryngeal mirror (indirect laryngoscopy) or directoscopes (direct laryngoscopy).
• Thoracoscopy is an examination of the condition of the lungs and pleura using a special instrument.

These techniques will allow us to assess the condition of the pulmonary system and the mucous membrane of the larynx and esophagus.

Differential diagnosis

A chemical burn is not a consequence of high temperatures, but nevertheless, in their pathogenesis, morphology and symptoms they are quite similar. In the medical problem considered in this article, differential diagnostics comes down to the analysis of the clinical picture of the lesion and the nature of its manifestation. A chemical burn is characterized by a lower rate of changes occurring in tissues than in the case of a thermal burn.

In light of this, there is an increased need for timely and rapid provision of first medical aid. That is, the faster it is provided, the less pathological destruction living matter will be subjected to.

Treatment iodine burn

If a patient has received a chemical burn, the first thing to do is to provide him with first aid. Only then should you contact a specialist who will examine the situation and adjust further treatment of the burn with iodine.

It may consist of prescribing medications that will stop the process of further damage to adjacent tissues, relieve the inflammatory process, work to reduce the temperature of the inflamed area, reduce swelling, as well as medications that should prevent infection from entering the open wound and the development of purulent processes, and activate the tissue healing process.

In isolated cases, based on the clinical picture of the pathology, the attending physician may prescribe surgical treatment.

First aid for iodine burns

As already mentioned, this pathology does not pose a great danger unless it is aggravated by an allergic reaction to the drug.

When receiving the injury discussed in this article, without delaying a minute, the victim is given first aid for an iodine burn, which consists of a number of mandatory actions:

• The chemical should be washed off immediately with plenty of running water. It is desirable if it is warm and boiled. This procedure is carried out for 8-10 minutes. If this procedure cannot be carried out immediately and more than 20 minutes have passed since contact with the substance, the time interval for water treatment should be increased to half an hour.
• After the initial procedure is completed, some neutral composition should be applied to the affected area of the body. This could be purified chalk, tooth powder, soapy water or a 20% sugar solution.
• Instead of the substances listed in the previous paragraph, you can use pentanol. The spray has analgesic, sanitizing and regeneration process activating properties.

After the healing process has been completed, a dark spot remains at the site of the burn. It should not be removed with additional means, since this is not a pigmented formation and will disappear on its own after some time.

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Medicines

Every home and every family should have a first aid kit filled with medications that can be useful in providing various types of first aid. One of these medications can be panthenol. Other medications that can be used to relieve the problem are medications that have analgesic, healing and antiseptic properties.

Panthenol spray is applied in a uniform stream to the affected area. This can be done once or several times a day. During the procedure, the tube should be held straight, perpendicular to the floor, with the dosing valve facing up.

To ensure that an effective stream comes out of the hole, the tube must be shaken vigorously before each use. If the lesion has affected the skin of the face, it is better to spray the aerosol foam on the palm of your hand and then apply it to the affected area.

Contraindications to the drug include individual intolerance to the components, as well as the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding in women.

If necessary, the doctor may prescribe levosulfamethacine or 0.2% furacilin ointments, 1% dermazin, which are carefully applied to the affected area. A gauze bandage is placed on top. Olazol or syntomycin emulsion may be prescribed as part of the treatment protocol. Many medications used in this situation contain levomycetin and sea buckthorn oil. These two components are very effective in activating regenerative processes and significantly more actively restore damaged tissue. The bandage is changed according to the schedule recommended by the doctor: daily or once every three days.

If an infection gets into the wound and the process of pus formation begins, the application of the ointment is stopped. Instead, gauze soaked in an antiseptic solution is applied to the purulent wound. In this case, furacilin or chlorhexidine may be prescribed. This application is kept until the gauze dries completely. Then we wet the application, wet it and apply it again.

In case of corneal burn, ointment preparations are usually not used. In such a situation, antibiotics are prescribed in the form of eye drops: cipromed, ciprolet, polymyxin, tobramycin, gentamicin, floxal.

For example, ciprolet is used in a treatment protocol according to a schedule: one to two drops administered into the eye every four hours.

Folk remedies

The use of traditional medicine in the treatment of iodine burns also shows quite high efficiency in terms of stopping the problem. At the same time, the effectiveness of treatment using alternative therapy recipes has been sufficiently assessed by specialists in classical medicine.

In this section we are ready to offer several methods of creating a medicine and the principle of their application:

• In case of severe damage, a mask of freshly cooked oatmeal (rolled oatmeal) will do. The porridge should be cooked in water, not milk. The warm porridge is carefully applied to the wound and fixed with a bandage on top. The application is kept for an hour, after which it is washed off with warm water. This recipe allows you to stop the inflammation, thereby accelerating recovery.
• Another simple recipe. Take potato tubers, peel, wash and grate on a fine grater. Apply the potato pulp to the wound and secure with a bandage. The tubers are rich in starch, which is what reacts with iodine, "pulling" it out of the cells, neutralizing the effect.
• Similarly, you can use ready-made starch, diluting it with a small amount of water until it becomes a thick paste.
• You can apply pumpkin pulp to the wound.
• If the victim feels pain discomfort, you can use a napkin soaked in brewed and cooled black tea. It is applied to the affected area, fixed with a bandage on top and left for about forty minutes. This procedure will not only relieve pain, but also reduce inflammation.

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Sea buckthorn oil for iodine burns

The oil of this tree has been valued by people since ancient times for its unique healing properties. It:

• Stimulates reparative processes in the skin and mucous membranes.
• Protects cellular and subcellular membranes from damage.
• Accelerates wound healing.
• It has a general strengthening effect on the body.
• Reduces the intensity of processes associated with the work of free radicals.
• It has antioxidant and cytoprotective properties.

Sea buckthorn oil plays an important role in the treatment of iodine burns. It can be used both in its pure form, applied to the damaged surface, and in the form of preparations based on it.

On average, sea buckthorn oil compresses are applied for three days. During this time, the wound begins to dry and exfoliate dead skin areas, which indicates a favorable recovery process.

When using pure oil, it should first be disinfected by boiling, but this will not cause the sea buckthorn to lose its medicinal properties.

Herbal treatment

When treating a burn, you can use infusions and decoctions of medicinal plants, as well as various collections based on them. Herbal treatment is quite effective. Herbalists recommend in this situation to use decoctions of the following plants: medicinal speedwell, St. John's wort, common ivy, oak bark, clover, calendula, nettle, eucalyptus leaves, white lily, aloe and many others.

Here are just a few of the recipes that can help in this situation:

• Pour 200 ml of boiling water over a tablespoon of Veronica officinalis. Let it sit, strain and use as a lotion or cleanser.
• We use oak bark in the same way, with the only difference being that it should be boiled for another ten minutes over low heat before infusing.
• Common ivy, which is boiled for ten minutes in half a liter of boiling water, can also be used as an application agent.
• Prepare a mixture of: St. John's wort, white lily flowers, calendula, blueberry leaves. Pour 0.5 l of vegetable oil over it and leave in a dark place for nine days. The medicine is ready.
• An aloe leaf can be applied to the wound twice a day. Before applying, remove the top layer, giving access to the pulp. Fix with a bandage.
• Eucalyptus leaves can be brewed in a similar way.
• Combine four tablespoons of crushed burdock root with a liter of boiling water and put on the fire. Keep until the volume is reduced by half. Add one part to four parts of butter. Apply as an ointment for burns.

Homeopathy

As noted above, an iodine burn does not pose a great danger and its consequences can be classified as the first stage of the lesion. At this stage of the disease, homeopathy is ready to offer its preparations that can stop the further development of the pathology, accelerate cell renewal and speed up recovery.

In this case, such preparations as belladonna, arnica, cantharis, and apis are suitable.

Surgical treatment

In case of severe damage to a skin area, necrotomy may be prescribed in our case - surgical treatment consisting of removing dead epithelial zones and cutting the formed scab. Such an operation allows with minimal intervention to restore normal blood supply to this area, which also will not affect the acceleration of the recovery process. If this is not done, necrosis of the affected area may develop.

There are other methods of surgical intervention (necrectomy, staged necrectomy, amputation), but in our situation we do not have to deal with them, since they are used for more severe degrees of burns.

Prevention

Getting a burn is, first of all, an accident that can be prevented. Therefore, prevention in this case is of particular value. And it consists of following a number of recommendations that, if they do not protect completely, will significantly reduce the risk:

• Compliance with the rules for storing medicines, chemical compounds, including iodine, and household chemicals.
• Such substances should be kept out of the reach of small children.
• You shouldn’t thoughtlessly and on the advice of a neighbor or trendy magazines experiment on yourself and your loved ones, using “traditional medicine” recipes to treat this or that disease.
• When used as directed, do not get carried away by using high concentrations. The phrase "take more - it will be better" does not work here, provoking the opposite result.

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Forecast

As has been noted many times, the prognosis of iodine burns is an unpleasant but not dangerous circumstance. But timely provision of necessary medical care will make the outcome favorable the sooner and more adequately the necessary therapy is carried out.

Probably, many, to a greater or lesser extent, have encountered a situation when treatment caused an iodine burn. In such a situation, it is advisable to wash the affected area with warm boiled water as soon as possible and then apply a neutral composition. It would not be superfluous to visit a specialist after this and make sure that you did everything correctly. He will professionally assess the situation and, if necessary, adjust further treatment. But it is also necessary to remember that iodine has not been used in the West as a medicine for a long time, since it has been proven that it can cause skin cancer. Therefore, in the future, doctors advise choosing a less dangerous, but no less effective drug, fortunately, the pharmaceutical industry offers us a wide selection of them.

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