Evidence supporting the use of: Iodine
For the health condition: Burns and Scalds

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Iodine, particularly in the form of povidone-iodine (betadine), is scientifically validated as a topical antiseptic for the treatment and management of burns and scalds. Its antimicrobial properties make it effective against a wide array of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which helps prevent infections—a major complication in burn wounds. Numerous clinical studies and medical guidelines support the use of iodine-based solutions in burn care. Povidone-iodine is preferred over earlier tinctures of iodine due to its reduced cytotoxicity and irritation, making it safer for application to damaged skin.

Several randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have demonstrated that povidone-iodine reduces wound infection rates and promotes healing in partial-thickness burns. The World Health Organization and other health authorities recognize iodine preparations as standard wound care agents, especially in settings where advanced burn care is not available. However, some caution is advised: excessive or prolonged use can delay healing due to possible cytotoxic effects on keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and absorption of iodine can affect thyroid function, especially in children or those with extensive burns.

Overall, the scientific evidence for iodine’s efficacy in preventing infection and supporting wound healing in burns and scalds is strong, and its use is widely accepted in both clinical and emergency settings. Nonetheless, care must be taken to balance its antimicrobial benefits with its potential side effects.

More about iodine
More about Burns and Scalds

Other ingredients used for Burns and Scalds

aloe vera
amino acids
green chiretta
annatto
bamboo
basil
beeswax
myrobalan
beta caryophyllene
betel
bisabolol
black cumin
black walnut
blackberry
Indian frankincense
bromelain
bасора
carrot
chamomile
clove
coating
coconut milk
cucumber
turmeric
curcumin
echinacea purpurea
garlic bulb
glycerin
gooseberry
gotu kola
onion
hemp oil
hyaluronic acid
Indian gum arabic tree
Indian tinospora
iodine
honeysuckle
Japanese sophora
jujube
l-glutamine
marshmallow
moringa
mustard seed
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
papain
parsley
phenolic acids
plantain
protease
purified silver
quail egg
rhizome
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
selenium
silicon
slippery elm bark
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin A
vitamin C
water
zinc
bentonite
yellow root
squawvine
parthenium
chickweed
typhonium
papaya
shen-chu
mugwort
Indian bael
neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
hedychium spicatum
pistacia integerrima gall
commiphora
paederia foetida
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
chaff flower
peony
lingusticum wallichii
boxthorne
goldenrod
yarrow
buckthorn
moss
myrrh
solomon's seal
siler root
dioscorea
dodder
fern
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
sweetgums
morinda
oriental arborvitae
zanthoxylum
birch
couch grass
sheep's sorrel
queen of the meadow
assam indigo
fulvic acid
eucalyptus
camphor oil
menthol oil
aster root
wood betony
paw paw
white oak
herbal blend (proprietary)
melaleuca alternifolia
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
geranium
arnica
sea salt
Avens
akebia
Animal Tissue
Asiaticoside
Ardisia
acacia
Agave
Agrimony
Antirrhinum majus
Achyranthes
Anamu
Alchornea
Albizia
Alchemilla
Aconite
Ajuga
Aucubin
Anserina
Albumin
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Allantoin
Alkanet
Alsonia scholaris
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Acemannan
Argan nut oil
Abuta
Alkanna
Allium tuberosum
Alstonia macrophylla
Amor seco
Arani
Bee Propolis
Betony
Bermuda Grass
Babchi
Bai Ji
Baliospermum
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Black spruce
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Blubber oil
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Blackbrush
Butea monosperma
Barleria
Big Quaking Grass
Bitter Grass
Bougainvillea
Brazillian peppertree
Bael
Benzoin
Begonia fimbristipula
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Bletilla
Bee products
Barbary matrimony vine
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Babassu
Black root
banana
Bassia scoparia
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Comfrey
Coconut
Centella triterpenes
Candleberry
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Caryophyllene
Calendula
Casearia esculenta
Common Monkey Flower
Chinese Mountain Ant
Calotropis gigantea
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cucurbita
Colloidal Silver
Chlorophyllin
coconut oil
Cactus
Cape Aloe
Capillary Artemisia
Cinquefoil
Cyathula
Cattail
Curcuminoid
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Chlorophytum
Common Thatching grass
Cowherb
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Celandine
Ceylon Leadwort
Cedar
Campylandra fimbriata
Centipeda
Curcuma
Carrapichinho
Cedrus libani
Cosmos
Cynodon dactylon
Chiococca alba
Catkin
Costus
Cocklebur
Castor Oil
Carthamus
Copaiba Oil
Cynanchum
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Calyptridium umbellatum
Casearia sylvestris
Chrysophanics
Chondrus
Dianthus
Didymocarpus
DIVI-DIVI
Dragon's Blood
Devil's Club
Dianthrone
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Davilla rugosa
Dichrostachys glomerata
Epidermal Growth Factor
European Elder
Erigeron
Elephant Vine
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Erodium cicutarium
English Horsemint
Eclipta
English Elm
Echinacea
Emu Oil
Elaeagnus glabra
Essential Oil Blend
Elephant's Head
Euphorbia
European-Five Finger Grass
Elemi
Embelia
Eugenol
fibroblast growth factor
Goldthread
Garlic
Lotus
Lily
Little ironweed
Mallow
Oak
Orchid
Potato
Poppy
Polyvinyl alcohol
Spikenard
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Silk protein
Sandalwood
Sumac
Vervain
Zucchini

Products containing iodine

Vitabase Active Man's Formula
Vitabase Active Woman's Multi
Douglas Laboratories Basic Minerals ™
Thorne Basic Prenatal Multivitamin
Designs For Health DFH Complete Multi™
Designs For Health DFH Complete Multi™ with Copper & Iron
Pure Encapsulations Energize Plus™ Pure Pack
Metagenics Ketogenic Shake Chocolate
Metagenics Ketogenic Shake Vanilla
Klean Athlete Klean Multivitamin ™
Vitabase Life's Essentials Plus
Metagenics MetaKids Nutrition Powder Chocolate
Metagenics MetaKids Nutrition Powder Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Integrative Therapeutics Physicians Elemental Diet Dextrose Free
Integrative Therapeutics Physician's Elemental Diet
Integrative Therapeutics Physician's Elemental Diet
Integrative Therapeutics Physicians Elemental Diet Kit
Metagenics Probioplex® Intensive Care Powder
Pure Encapsulations PureGenomics® Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations PureLean® Protein
Pure Encapsulations Thyroid Support Complex
Douglas Laboratories THYROMEND™
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control® Chocolate
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Chocolate
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ® 2 Daily
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ®-EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ® Kids Grape Flavor
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ® Kids Orange Flavor
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive® X
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish® Chocolate
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Chocolate
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360°® Chocolate/Orange
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Orange
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Original Spice
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein® Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein French Vanilla
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein Plain
Metagenics UltraMeal Cardio 360°® Pea/Rice Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Cardio 360° Pea/Rice Vanilla
Metagenics UltraMeal® Daily Support Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Daily Support Mixed Berry
Metagenics UltraMeal Rice Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations VisionPro Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations Women's Nutrients