Burn with iodine

In the West, the use of alcoholic iodine solution has long since been abandoned 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. In general, 5% solution is used. But even with this concentration, if used improperly, you can get an iodine burn.

[1], [2], [3]

Causes of the burn from iodine

Any pathology is based on a certain source and is activated when a combination of favorable factors. The causes of an iodine burn are banal, but this does not at all plead the consequences to which the disease can lead.

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

Often parents use this solution for the therapy of diseases, the cupping of which does not require its use. It is enough that some patients or parents of ill children do not want to go to doctors and refer to methods of alternative medicine, invent or take from friends the recipes of alternative drugs, while not always maintaining the dosage.

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

The burn can also appear during the cauterization of the wound when applying an increased amount of solution to a small area, or with a sufficiently long application of iodine in one place.

It is also inadmissible to fill the wound with the solution in question, as it is often done with hydrogen peroxide when the bleeding is stopped.

Another cause of damage can be the use of a chemical compound against the background of immunodeficiency associated with a viral infection. Reducing the protective forces affects the sensitivity and susceptibility of the body to external influences.

[4], [5], [6]

Pathogenesis

Despite many years of experience in combating burns of various etiologies, the pathogenesis of the process has not been fully established to date. Indeed, when exposed to the outer layers of the mucosa and dermis, lesions, often deeper and deeper structural layers. If more than 10% of the area of the human skin is affected, a different pathology plan is observed, affecting the internal organs. But this picture is unlikely to affect the situation related to the problem in question. It is hard to imagine iodine burns of this size, except that 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, the fastest way, we can talk about the defeat and death of the upper cells of the dermis.

[7], [8], [9], [10]

Symptoms of the burn from iodine

Excessive "hobby" in the treatment of certain pathologies with iodine can lead to unpleasant consequences. In this case, the manifestations of skin lesions can appear not immediately, but after a certain time after application of the solution. Symptoms of an iodine burn are akin to manifestations of a chemical effect on the dermis, but there are also some peculiarities.

With the lesion under consideration, there is no formation of large or small blisters, as well as other factors accompanying the "classic burn".

This pathology does not belong to the category of dangerous, and usually manifests itself only by hyperemia of the affected area. A speck can have a darker shade. With palpation, the procedure does not cause any discomfort. This is more a cosmetic problem - if the lesion is on the open surface of the body.

It should be noted immediately that there is a category of people who have an individual intolerance to this element. In this case, if there was a contact with a chemical, it would not be superfluous to make an appointment with a specialist and get counseling.

[11],

First signs

With the proper use of the chemical element in question, the trace of the applied medicine usually disappears after several hours. If the concentration was exceeded, the first signs of lesion may appear later in the form of spots, similar to pigmented ones. 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.

In view of the fact that this medicine has a drying property. It is quite possible the appearance of small exfoliating sites.

[12],

Severe iodine burn

As noted above, getting a strong iodine burn is problematic enough, but it is theoretically possible. First of all, it concerns the defeat of a more susceptible mucosa. For example, it can be a nasopharynx, a larynx, tonsils and so on.

In this case, further self-treatment can only exacerbate the situation, so a qualified doctor's consultation is simply necessary. Only he, on the basis of the observed picture of the disease, is able to correctly assess the severity of the pathology and to paint the most acceptable treatment.

Iodine burn on the face

In the courtyard of the 21st century, but still many people cure a runny nose or appeared pimples, applying a solution of iodine to the surface of the face. Excessive zeal and the principle of "more namazhesh - faster recover" does not work here. And the result of such treatment is a burn from iodine on the face, which is the most frequently noted discomfort.

Depending on the individual characteristics of the body, the traces of the application will come off, but this period is sufficiently stretched in time.

Eye burn with iodine

Much more dangerous is the situation in the event that an eye burns with iodine. The eye retina is a sensitive enough structure and if you do not take adequate measures quickly and do not provide first aid, the situation can end badly enough.

In this case, physicians resort to the standard therapy inherent in chemical lesions of the surface. In any case, after washing the eye with plenty of clean water and carrying out other necessary measures, the injured person should immediately be shown to the ophthalmologist, who will assess the "damage" and correct further treatment.

[13], [14]

Throat burn with iodine

More recently, in the treatment of many diseases for the sanation of the nasopharynx, iodine-containing preparations were used. But an inexperienced medical professional or an ordinary person (at home treatment) could well exceed the concentration of the drug, which triggered a throat burn with iodine. To a similar situation may result in improper use of such a solution or an accident involving children, with the negligence of adults.

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

As a rule, the directed lesion of only the throat is rare. In most cases, such a lesion captures the pharynx, the larynx, the mouth, or even the esophagus. This fact should be established for certain.

Iodine solution is a sufficient volatile substance, so the burn can capture the mucous surface of the bronchi and trachea.

Should alert such symptoms:

• Appearance of sharp pain, intensifying its intensity when swallowing.
• Nausea.
• The appearance of emetic reflectivity.
• If the lesion seizes the trachea and larynx, a voice change is possible.
• Increased saliva production.
• It is possible to increase the temperature of the body.
• Coughing attacks.
• Problems with breathing.
• Perhaps the appearance of hiccoughs, burdened with pain.
• With lesions of the esophagus, there may be pain symptoms in the chest, which is amplified during the period of cough and hiccough.

Burns the tonsils with iodine

Often, chemical damage can bring more harm to the body than thermal attacks. Last time, as it is not strange, the burn of the tonsils with iodine is an increased diagnosis, exposed by the doctors to the patient. The reason for the growth of such cases is incorrect, and sometimes completely absurd, use of iodine solution in the course of treatment of the inflammation of the throat and damage to the tonsils.

How not absurd it sounds, but the tincture in question was taken by some patients to get rid of angina or pharyngitis faster, referring to the advice of alternative medicine.

Such false sites recommend using irrigation or lubricating the tonsils with a tampon moistened with iodine solution, which is absolutely unacceptable! Undiluted or slightly diluted drug should not be applied to a 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 tissues, causing them to burn.

Do not forget that even iodine-containing drugs, such as lugol and yoks, designed specifically for this purpose, are forbidden to use for serious inflammation of the tissues of the pharynx and tonsils, when they are swollen and give off intense redness. Since in such a situation, the probability of formation of open wounds is high.

[15], [16], [17], [18]

Burning of the hand with iodine

Recently, the considered chemical compound in medicine is used less and less often due to the often negative consequences, while at home it remains in demand. The affected lesion and upper limbs did not pass by. After injury, many, in the old manner, treat them, pouring iodine solution. Due to the different threshold of sensitivity of the skin, the burn of the hand with iodine is not uncommon. It is not uncommon for a patient to first heal a wound on his arm, and then burn him with a medicine.

Quite often, iodine is used to treat the consequences of dislocation (swelling and local soreness), inflammatory processes in the 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 time the trail begins to fade and completely disappears. But when applying large concentrations or repeatedly applying the substance to the same place, especially if the patient has a dry type of skin and an increased sensitivity of the dermis, it is possible to burn. It arises as a response of the skin directly to alcohol and individual to the microelement (an allergic reaction with its symptoms).

Nobody refutes the useful properties of the chemical element in question, but its negative effect on the dermis is undeniable.

[19]

Burning of the gingival mucosa with iodine

Chemical or thermal damage to the gums is one of the most common pathologies. And from the emergence of such a problem no one is insured. Chemical or medicamentous lesions can be obtained due to uncontrolled use of the drug or excess dosage of a highly active substance.

It is not uncommon for a burn of the gingival mucosa with iodine to appear after applying this solution in an attempt to stop inflammation or to remove aching pain in the tooth (alternative medicine advice). Therefore, in order to prevent such damage, one should not allow contact of iodine with the mucous membrane.

Burning on the gingival mucosa is very specific, and is expressed by an intense red shade of the affected area, considerable swelling. With prolonged treatment of the gums with iodine, the patient can acquire a sufficiently deep lesion of the mucous tissues, up to their necrosis.

With severe form of burns and the appearance of scars, the probability of surgical treatment of the problem is high.

[20], [21], [22], [23]

Iodine burn in a child

The skin of a little man has not yet become coarse and is very tender and sensitive. Therefore, an iodine burn in a child can be caused both by therapy of severe wounds, and with insignificant contact with the medicine. But we can definitely say that such a defeat in a baby is a direct negligence of adults, whether it is an incorrect application in the treatment of a particular pathology, or ignoring the rules of storage of the drug. After all, every adult knows that any medicines and dangerous toxic compounds must be stored in places inaccessible to children.

There are several common causes of burns:

1. Allergic reaction of the baby's body to iodine or its derivatives.
2. Increased sensitivity threshold.
3. Incorrectly applied dose of the drug.
4. Uncontrolled availability.
5. Use in the treatment of prescriptions of alternative medicine. For example, when stimulating the thyroid gland, some parents, instead of iodine-containing drugs (because of their high cost) use a "pure" iodine solution.

If one of the parents has intolerance to iodine and its drugs, it is worthwhile to pass with the child an appropriate test for susceptibility before proceeding with treatment with iodine-containing drugs. The essence of the method is simple. A drop of iodine diluted in water is applied to the inner side of the wrist or elbow joint of the upper limb. For a couple of hours, it is necessary to monitor the appearance of a possible response. When hyperemia or small puffiness occurs, it is concluded that iodine solution is not allowed to enter the treatment protocol. Do not interfere in this situation and consultation of a doctor - an allergist.

Forms

According to the international classification of diseases of the tenth revision (code for microbial 10), the pathology considered in this article belongs to the category of chemical burns and has the identification code T20 - T32. Within this framework, there is a differentiation in the localization of the problem:

• T20 - T25 - burn site - external surfaces separated by their location.
• T26 - T28 - chemical burn of the eye and internal organs.
• T29 - T32 - Numerous lesions and unspecified localization.

[24], [25]

Complications and consequences

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

In the case of mild damage, no significant consequences are to be expected. Whereas with a certain confluence of circumstances and a sufficiently severe burn at the site of the lesion necrotic areas are formed, after the tightening, which remains scarring and pigmented unprotected areas.

How long does it take to burn from iodine?

If you turn to the experience of medical professionals or analyze relevant forums on the Internet, you can conclude that many respondents are interested in the question, how many burns from iodine? But an unambiguous number you will not name any medic.

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

If on the face pryshchagilis acne acne, then it is possible after two to three days, the traces of micro-burns disappear. With a more severe lesion of the mucosa or dermis, this process can stretch for a sufficiently long period, up to several months, or even a year.

[26], [27],

Complications

Burns with iodine, usually do not bring, no matter how significant change in the structure of tissues. But one should not carelessly treat such defeats. The complications that a person, taking a great interest in iodine therapy, risk, get horrified. After all, cases are known in the world practice, and this is documented when burns caused by iodine caused skin cancer. It is for this reason that in the civilized countries this medication has not been used for ten years already as in therapy.

[28], [29], [30], [31], [32]

Diagnostics of the burn from iodine

If the external surface of the skin has undergone a pathological effect, then there are no significant problems in establishing the cause of the lesion, its localization and severity. Enough will be a visual examination of a specialist.

But if it happened that the defeat seized the mucosa of the internal organs, then to diagnose the scale and complexity of the pathology, the diagnosis of iodine burn can include other instrumental and laboratory methods of investigation.

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

[33], [34], [35], [36]

Analyzes

If a patient has been referred to a specialist with a burn from iodine, then no tests are performed. The attending physician may prescribe laboratory tests for prophylactic purposes. Then the test will include a standard package of tests:

• Clinical analysis of urine.
• Clinical blood test.

[37], [38], [39], [40]

Instrumental diagnostics

As in the case of analysis, instrumental diagnostics are rarely used in establishing a burn from iodine.

In isolated cases, if the lesion affected the nasopharynx, the doctor may refer the patient to the diagnosis by radiography and fluoroscopy. If necessary, you can connect:

• Linear and computed tomography - obtaining a layered image of the lungs.
• Laryngoscopy is a basic technique for examining the larynx, performed with the help of a laryngeal mirror (indirect laryngoscopy) or directories (direct laryngoscopy).
• Thoracoscopy - examination of the lungs and pleura through a special tool.

These techniques will allow to assess the condition of the pulmonary system and mucosa of the larynx and esophagus.

Differential diagnosis

Chemical burn is not a consequence of high temperatures, but, nevertheless, they are similar in their pathogenesis, morphology and symptomatology. With the medical problem considered in this article, differential diagnosis is reduced to an analysis of the clinical picture of the lesion and the nature of its manifestation. Chemical burn is characterized by a lower rate of changes occurring in tissues than in the case of thermal burns.

In light of this, there is a growing need for timely and rapid first aid. That is, the faster it is rendered, the less pathological destruction will be exposed to living matter.

Treatment of the burn from iodine

If the patient received a chemical burn, the first thing to do is give him first aid. Only after this should consult a specialist who will review the situation and correct further treatment of the iodine burn.

It can consist in the appointment of drugs that stop the process of further damage to neighboring tissues, remove the inflammatory process, work to reduce the temperature indexes of the inflamed area, reduce puffiness, as well as drugs that should prevent infection and development of purulent processes in the open wound, tissue healing.

In isolated cases, based on the clinic of pathology, the attending physician can prescribe and operative treatment.

First aid for an iodine burn

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

When receiving the damage discussed in this article, without a moment's delay, the injured person receives first aid in case of iodine burn, which consists of a number of compulsory actions:

• Immediately wash the chemical with a large amount of running water. It is advisable if it is warm and boiled. This event is held for 8-10 minutes. If you did not immediately do this procedure and after contact with the substance has passed more than 20 minutes, the time interval of treatment with water should be increased and brought to half an hour.
• After the primary procedure is carried out, it is necessary to apply any neutral composition to the affected area of the body. It can be purified chalk, dental powder, soapy water or 20% sugar solution.
• Instead of the substances listed in the previous paragraph, you can use pentanol. The spray has analgesic, sanitizing and activating the process of regeneration characteristics.

After the healing process was realized, a dark spot remains on the burn site. To reduce it by additional means should not be, since it is not a pigmented formation and after some time will disappear on its own.

[41]

Medications

Every home and every family should have a first aid kit filled with drugs that can be useful in providing diverse first aid. One of these medicines may be panthenol. Other drugs that can be used to stop the problem are drugs that have analgesic, healing and antiseptic characteristics.

Panthenol spray is applied uniformly over the affected area. During the day, it can be done both one and several times. During the procedure, the tube should be kept straight, perpendicular to the floor, with the metering valve up.

In order for an effective jet to emerge from the hole, the tube must be vigorously shaken before each use. If the lesion touches the skin of the face, spray the aerosol foam better on the palm, and then apply to the affected area.

Contra-indications of the drug include individual intolerance of the components, as well as the period of pregnancy and feeding of the newborn in women.

If necessary, the doctor can prescribe ointments of left-sulphometacaine or 0.2% furacilin, 1% dermazin, which are carefully applied to the affected area. A gauze bandage is superimposed on top. Olazole or sintomycin emulsion can be prescribed in the treatment protocol. Many drugs used in this situation, contain in their composition, levomycetin and sea buckthorn oil. These two components are very effective in activating the regenerating processes and significantly regenerate the affected tissues. Change of the dressing follows the schedule recommended by the doctor: every day or every three days.

If an infection gets into the wound, and the process of forming pus has started, the application of the ointment stops. Instead, a gauze impregnated with an antiseptic solution is applied to a purulent wound. In this case, can be appointed furatsilin or chlorhexidine. This application is kept until the gauze is completely dry. Then wet the application, moisten and re-apply.

In case of corneal burn, preparations in the form of an ointment are usually not used. In this situation, antibiotics are prescribed in the form of drops for the eyes: tsipromed, tsiprolet, polymyxin, tobramycin, gentamicin, floxal.

For example, tsiprolet used in the treatment protocol on schedule: one - two drops, injected into the eye every four hours.

Alternative treatment

Sufficiently high effectiveness in terms of relief of the problem is demonstrated by the use of alternative treatment in the treatment of burns from iodine. At the same time, the effectiveness of the treatment with the help of prescriptions of nontraditional therapy is quite appreciated by specialists of classical medicine.

In this section, we are ready to offer several ways to create a drug and the principle of their use:

• With a strong degree of defeat, a mask of freshly prepared oatmeal (Herculean porridge) is suitable. Porridge should be boiled on water, and not on milk. Porridge in a warm form is neatly superimposed on the wound and over is fixed by a bandage. The application is aged for an hour, after which it is washed off with warm water. This recipe allows you to stop inflammation, thereby speeding up recovery.
• Another simple recipe. Take potato tubers, peel, rinse and grate on a fine grater. Potato slurry to put on the wound and fastened with a bandage. Tubers are rich in starch, it is he who reacts with iodine, "pulling" it out of cells, neutralizing the action.
• Similarly, you can use the ready-made starch, diluting it with a small amount leading to a thick slurry.
• You can attach the flesh of the pumpkin to the wound.
• If the victim feels painful discomfort, you can use a napkin soaked in brewed and cooled black tea. It is applied to the affected area, the top is fixed with a bandage and left for forty minutes. Such a procedure will not only ease the pain, but will also reduce inflammation.

[42], [43], [44], [45]

Sea-buckthorn oil with iodine burn

The oil of this tree since ancient times is appreciated by the people for their unique healing properties. It:

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

Not the last place in the process of treatment is sea buckthorn oil with iodine burn. In this case, it can be used both in pure form, applying to the damaged surface, and in the form of preparations based on it.

On average, lotions with sea-buckthorn oil are put on for three days. During this time, the wound begins to dry and exfoliate dead skin areas, which indicates a favorable passage of the recovery process.

When using pure oil, it should first be disinfected, boiling, while its medicinal properties of the sea-buckthorn are not lost.

Herbal Treatment

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

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

• A tablespoon of Veronica officinalis pour 200 ml of steep boiling water. Let stand, drain and use as a lotion and a means for washing.
• Similarly, we use the bark of oak, with the only difference that it should be boiled for a further 10 minutes before infusion.
• In the role of a means for appliqués, ordinary ivy is suitable, which is cooked ten minutes in half a liter of boiling water.
• Prepare a mixture of: St. John's wort, white lily flowers, marigold, blueberry leaves. Pour it all 0.5 liters of vegetable oil and leave for nine days in a dark place. The medicine is ready.
• To the wound twice a day, you can apply an aloe leaf. Before applying, remove the top layer from it, giving access to the pulp. Fix with a bandage.
• Similarly, you can brew eucalyptus leaves.
• Four tablespoons of chopped burdock root is combined with a liter of boiling water and put on fire. Withstand until the volume is reduced by half. Add one part to four parts of butter. Apply as ointment from burns.

Homeopathy

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

In this case, suitable drugs such as belladonna (belladonna), arnica (arnica), cantharis (cantaris), apis (apis).

Operative treatment

In case of severe lesion of the skin area, in our case, necrotomy can be prescribed - surgical treatment consisting in removal of the necrotic areas of the epithelium, dissection of the formed scab. This operation allows with a minimal intervention to restore the normal blood supply of the site, which also does not apply to affect the acceleration of the recovery process. If this is not done, necrosis of the affected area may develop.

There are other ways of surgical intervention (necrectomy, stage necrosectomy, amputation), but in our situation they do not reach the point, as they are used in more severe degrees of burn.

Prevention

Getting a burn is, first of all, an accident that could well be prevented. Therefore, prevention in this case is of particular value. And it consists in the implementation of a number of recommendations, which if not completely saved, then significantly reduce the risk:

• Compliance with the rules of storage of medicines, chemical compounds, including iodine, and household chemicals.
• Such substances should not be available to young children.
• Do not be thoughtless and on the advice of a neighbor or new-fangled magazines to experiment on themselves and their loved ones, applying the recipes of "folk medicine" for the treatment of a 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 getting the opposite result.

[46], [47], [48]

Forecast

As has been repeatedly noted, the prognosis of iodine burns is unpleasant, but not a dangerous circumstance. But the timely provision of necessary medical care will make the outcome favorable the sooner than the necessary therapy is performed earlier and more adequately.

Probably, many, to a greater or lesser degree, faced a situation when the treatment caused an iodine burn. In this situation, you can advise, as soon as possible, pierce the affected area with warm boiled water and then apply a neutral formulation. It is not superfluous to then visit a specialist's consultation and make sure that you did everything right. He will professionally assess the situation and, if necessary, correct further treatment. But it must also be remembered that iodine has not been used in the West for a long time as a medicament, as it has been proved that it is able to cause skin cancer. Therefore, in the future, doctors advise to choose a less dangerous, but no less effective drug, the good pharmacological industry offers us a wide choice.

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