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Help in case of poisoning with iodine preparations.

Iodine preparations (sodium iodide and potassium iodide, Lugol's solution, alcohol solutions of iodine, Iodinol, Iodoform, X-ray contrast preparations of iodine, Yatren, and others) are widely used in the over-the-counter treatment of various diseases, antiseptic treatment of foci of microbial infection and preventive treatment of wound surfaces. But the availability of these drugs does not make them any less safe. Ignoring the instructions when working with iodine preparations in certain conditions, patients often overdose their amount, which cannot but have a detrimental effect on health.

How iodine poisoning can occur:

A lethal dose will be 2 grams of iodine in the form of crystals, but in pharmacy versions iodine is presented in the form of various solutions, therefore, only poisoning of the body is possible to varying degrees. Poisoning can occur when inhaling iodine vapors or when an excessive amount of iodine has entered the gastrointestinal tract with a local (superficial) or resorptive (after absorption) effect. It should be borne in mind that getting on the mucous membrane of the stomach or intestines, the iodine solution is rapidly absorbed, but also has the property of denaturing the protein (changes the structure of the protein), which causes burns to the surfaces of the tissues with which it comes into contact.

An iodine burn can cause a painful symptom, tissue inflammation and edema (especially dangerous laryngeal edema, glottis edema and pulmonary edema). In addition, a burn with vapors or iodine solution can cause swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, mouth and tongue.

With a resorptive effect (after absorption into the mucous membranes and entering the bloodstream), increased doses of iodine preparations can affect the central nervous system, toxicly affecting the cerebral cortex, weaken cardiovascular activity, and cause renal or hepatic failure. Such lesions with iodine have characteristic symptoms: iodine odor from the mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased blood pressure, delirium, insomnia, psychosis, convulsions. Allergic reactions to iodine preparations are possible.

To neutralize the effect of iodine, the stomach is washed initially with a solution of sodium thiosulfate (5%) without causing vomiting, then washed with water. With this solution, you can rinse your mouth, throat, rinse the sinuses, drink inside (one or two glasses). Eyes when exposed to iodine vapors are washed with water. All other actions for severe iodine poisoning are carried out within the hospital.