Whenever we get a minor injury at home, or someone falls, our hands immediately go to the medicine cabinet, right? The dark brown liquid bottle in it, that is, the 'Betadine' bottle. Although we use this to prevent germs from entering in the event of a wound, are we really aware of this medicine? Sometimes, we don't even think about it, but if we use such a simple medicine incorrectly, problems can arise. So, today, let's talk about this Povidone-iodine, or 'Betadine' as we all know it.
What do we use this medicine for?
Simply put, Povidone-iodine is an antiseptic . Its main function is to kill microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses on the surface of the skin, reducing the risk of infection.
Let's see what are the main cases where this is used:
- For minor cuts, scrapes, and wounds: We most often use this to prevent germs from entering minor wounds around the house.
- Before surgery: You may have seen doctors and nurses wash their hands thoroughly before an operation. They use a special antiseptic liquid like this for that. Also, this medicine is used to clean the patient's skin surface before surgery.
- For eye surgery: Before eye surgery, a specially formulated Povidone-iodine solution is used to clean the skin around the eye and the surface of the eye. But remember, this is not your regular bottle of Betadine. It's something special.
Things to tell your doctor before using the medicine
Although this is a skin care product, it may not be suitable for use with certain conditions in your body. Therefore, before using this product, be sure to tell your doctor about these facts.
| Situation you need to report | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| If you have allergies to povidone-iodine or other medicines, foods, or dyes. | If you are allergic to this medicine, using it may cause severe allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching, and swelling. |
| If you have other skin conditions or sensitive skin. | This medicine is not suitable for people with certain skin conditions. It can also make skin conditions worse. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. | It is essential to seek medical advice during pregnancy as using this medicine over large areas or for a long period of time may affect the unborn baby. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother. | Since there is a possibility that the baby may ingest iodine through breast milk, do not use these without consulting your doctor. |
How do you use this properly?
Although this may seem very simple, keep these points in mind for safety.
- For external use only: This is the most important thing. Do not swallow or put this medicine in your mouth for any reason.
- Keep away from eyes: As I mentioned before, except for special solutions used for eye surgery, regular Povidone-iodine solution is very harmful to the eyes. If it accidentally gets into the eyes, immediately rinse them thoroughly with clean water.
- Follow the instructions: Follow the instructions on the bottle or as directed by your doctor.
- Use on young children: Since young children's skin is very sensitive, do not use these on children's wounds without consulting a doctor. Especially not on newborn babies.
What to do if the dose increases?
If someone accidentally takes this medicine, or if you think you have taken too much, do not panic and take immediate action.
In such a case, immediately call the National Poison Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Things not to use with this medicine
If some things are used together with Povidone-iodine, it may lose its properties.
- Hydrogen Peroxide (3%): Many people use hydrogen peroxide to clean wounds and then apply Povidone-iodine on top of it. This is a big mistake. When these two are combined, the iodine in Povidone-iodine loses its effectiveness. That means it loses its antiseptic properties.
- Benzoin Tincture: This medicine can also react with Povidone-iodine.
Therefore, it is very important to inform your doctor about other medications, vitamins, and even Ayurvedic medicines that you are using.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Povidone-iodine can cause side effects in some people. Some of these are serious, some are not so serious.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Severe Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, severe itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. These can be very serious. |
| Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (but should be reported to the doctor if they persist) | |
| Slight redness or inflammation of the skin | The skin may become slightly red or feel a little burning where the medicine was applied. This usually goes away after a while. |
| Eye pain | Some people may experience irritation when using special eye solutions. |
How do you store the medicine?
- Keep it away from children: This is the most important thing. Due to its color, small children may mistake it for a sweet drink. Therefore, it is best to keep it in a locked cupboard, out of their reach.
- Store at room temperature: Store between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. Store away from extreme heat or extreme cold (do not freeze).
- Keep in the original container: Keep the medicine in the same bottle it came in. Do not transfer it to other bottles.
- Discard after expiration: Check the expiration date and discard the bottle if it has passed the expiration date. Using expired medicine can do more harm than good.
Take-Home Message
- Povidone-iodine (Betadine) is a topical medication. Do not ingest it for any reason.
- If you have any allergies, skin conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding, be sure to tell your doctor before using this.
- Do not use hydrogen peroxide and Povidone-iodine together on a wound. This will destroy the effectiveness of the medicine.
- If you experience severe swelling of the skin, severe itching, or difficulty breathing after applying the medicine, seek medical advice immediately as this may be a sign of a severe allergy.
- Avoid using this for more than a week or over a large area of the body without the advice of a doctor.
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