7 replies to this topic

[112358]

I know there's alot of talk about how acne and ingesting iodine through food is related, but I see very little about topical iodine. A friend of mine says it works well, but I'm nervous about applying drying alcohol on a pimple, as well as the brown stain iodine leaves behind that usually take a few days to fade (I've used iodine before, just not really on my face). Has anyone used iodine and have any advice regarding it? Thanks.

[crystal_willow]

I had read that ingesting too much iodine made you MORE prone to breakouts so I would be wary about applying it to my skin. It is anti microbial but there are other antimicrobial medications which don't have an acne inducing association... plus they use iodine to prepare wounds for surgery... do you really want to risk yourself developing bacteria that are resistant to that? cause if you need surgery later that could be a problem (and not just for you).

sorry to sound so alarmist :S

[Sandman21]

112358, on 04 February 2012 - 02:47 AM, said:

I know there's alot of talk about how acne and ingesting iodine through food is related, but I see very little about topical iodine. A friend of mine says it works well, but I'm nervous about applying drying alcohol on a pimple, as well as the brown stain iodine leaves behind that usually take a few days to fade (I've used iodine before, just not really on my face). Has anyone used iodine and have any advice regarding it? Thanks.

Use rubbing alcohol. Much less risk of irritation, IMO, and I have never had problems with 'overdrying' that many people attributed to it.

[Iris_25]

bad idea to use iodine. will only make it worse.

[desknplify]

Well Iodine works as an antibacterial, but doesnot Suite everyone. Iodine is very skin Specific and its usage can do lighten up Acne but are more prone to worsen your Acne. My personal consideration is not to use Iodine as an remedy. There are many other easier ways to lighten your acne and treat them effectively.
In short Iodine are prone to worsen your Condition then treating it. Highly recommend to consult a dermatologist before you Use it

[Thehoper]

I've been looking around at threads and everyone on here bashes Iodine for topicals, and yet it has such great reviews.

http://www.acne.org/.../262/page1.html

[crystal_willow]

its not clear how long these people were on iodine for and since it is used so much in medicine I have often wondered why it is not used to treat acne.

My theory was this:

there are bacteria that are resistant to iodine and since it is used in hospitals I guess they don't millions of acne sufferers giving bacteria more chances to evolve a resistance.

also over exposure to Iodine can cause thyroid problems in adults

Then I found this ......see below:

5.3 Dermal

Topical iodine (especially with multiple applications) can be
absorbed, causing toxic effects.
9.1.3 Skin exposure

Skin contact with iodine may give rise to
hypersensitivity reaction, fever and skin eruption.
Death following skin contact covering one third of body
surface is reported to have occurred, (Gosselin et al.,
1984).
9.2.3 Skin exposure

Intact skin

Irritant contact dermatitis caused by povidone-iodine
has been reported, (Okano, 1989). Liberal application
of the tincture or povidone-iodine to the skin resulted
in significant plasma and urine iodine levels and may
cause systemic iodine toxicity (Luckhardt et al., 1920;
Smerdely et al., 1989; Pyati et al., 1977; Chabrolle &
Rossier, 1978; Coakley et al., 1989; L'Allemand et al.,
1987; Dantzigen et al., 1987; Schoenberger & Grim,
1982).

Injured skin

Continuous postoperative wound irrigation with
povidone-iodine resulted in death of a patient. Toxic
manifestations of systemic iodine absorption appeared
to cause the death, (D'Auria et al., 1990; Glick et
al., 1985).

Application of povidone-iodine on skin burns may cause
systemic iodine toxicity (Lavelle et al., 1975; Peitsch
& Meakins, 1976).
9.4.8 Dermatological

A case of fatal dermatitis following the use of a 2.5%
solution of resublimated iodine in pure industrial
alcohol before a surgical operation has been reported.
The reaction was thought to be due to idiosyncrasy to
iodine. Skin disinfection with iodine has caused goitre
and hypothyroidism in 5 of 30 newborns under intensive
care (Bouillon, 1988).

Prolonged exposure to tincture of iodine can induce
superficial necrosis. At least one death has been
reported consequent to extensive skin involvement.
Solutions of iodine applied to the skin should not be
covered with occlusive dressings.

Topical application of povidone-iodine on burn patients
may lead to increased iodine/iodide absorption (Lavelle
et al., 1975) and the development of a metabolic
acidosis, renal failure and an altered mental status
although a cause and effect relationship has not been
definitely established.

The older literature reports systemic symptoms which
occurred immediately to 24 hours later, rarely
following cutaneous application of one-half to one
normal strength iodine tincture. Symptoms included
fever, diarrhoea, pain, headache and delirium. Skin
eruptions included urticaria to erythema to exfoliative
dermatitis. Mortality was 47% in those 15 cases
reported (Seymour, 1937).

Repeated applications of iodophors may cause contact
dermatitis. Allergic reactions occur 12 to 20 hours
after application (Harvey, 1985; Kudo et al., 1988).



so now we know why, take care people x
http://www.inchem.or...harm/iodine.htm

Edited by crystal_willow, 07 March 2012 - 01:52 PM.

[112358]

Wow, forgot I started this topic. But nonetheless, thanks for all the info and advice.