Tincture of iodine is a reddish liquid used as a skin antiseptic and home remedy against radiation. It’s important to choose the right strength and follow label directions. It can be made at home but requires caution due to potentially toxic reactions.
Tincture of iodine is a clear, reddish liquid commonly used for medicinal purposes. It is used as a skin antiseptic for infection prevention and infection control in wounds, and also as a home remedy against radiation. The strength of the dye varies for different solutions and this is indicated on the label. To choose the best preparation, you’ll need to know what strength is right for your purpose; it is best to consult your pharmacist or doctor on this matter.
It’s also a good idea to use a commercial preparation of this tincture only as directed by the label directions. A preparation stronger than that required for a minor wound, for example, may need to be diluted before being applied; otherwise it may cause skin burns. When buying tincture of iodine, always make sure it is suitable for home use. As with all medical preparations, particularly if you have any existing health problems, it is advisable, as mentioned, to consult your doctor to ensure that it is safe for you to use that particular preparation, without the possibility of adverse reactions.
Tincture of iodine is made from iodine, sodium or potassium iodide, alcohol and water. The US National Formulary (NF) has specified the amounts of these ingredients needed to make normal and strong solutions. Although these tinctures of iodine are commercially available, it is also possible to prepare them at home.
To prepare this tincture, you will need iodine crystals, ethyl alcohol, sodium iodide or potassium iodide, and distilled water. Instead of ethyl alcohol and distilled water, a clear liqueur can also be used. The purpose of the alcohol is to give chemical stability to the mixture of iodine crystals and sodium iodide or potassium iodide. Distilled water is used to dilute the solution to the required concentration; regular iodine tincture solutions, for example, will contain about 50 percent water while strong solutions will contain 50 percent alcohol.
You need to be very careful when making iodine tincture at home, as the ingredients can cause toxic reactions. They are known to negatively affect the mucous membranes and cause breathing difficulties. Some of the ingredients are also known to irritate the skin and can exacerbate skin conditions like dermatitis. They can also pose a potential risk to the eyes. Inhaling the fumes can also cause serious health problems.
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