Can povidone-iodine be ingested?
Jan 24, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, povidone-iodine should not be ingested. If external use of povidone-iodine is required, it should be used as directed by a physician. When povidone-iodine enters the oral cavity, it immediately irritates the oral mucosa, causing a burning sensation and resulting in pain and swelling. As it progresses into the esophagus, its corrosive effect does not diminish, severely damaging the esophageal mucosa and causing injuries such as mucosal damage and ulcers, making swallowing difficult.
Under normal circumstances, povidone-iodine should not be ingested. If external use of povidone-iodine is required, it should be used only as directed by a physician. Detailed explanations are as follows:
When povidone-iodine enters the oral cavity, it immediately irritates the oral mucosa, causing a burning sensation and resulting in pain and swelling. As it moves down the esophagus, its corrosive effects do not diminish. The esophageal mucosa sustains significant damage, potentially leading to mucosal injuries and ulcers, which make swallowing difficult. Once it reaches the stomach, the interaction between large amounts of gastric acid and povidone-iodine not only further burdens the stomach but also triggers severe nausea and vomiting, disrupting the normal physiological functions of the entire digestive tract.
Povidone-iodine contains iodine, and excessive oral intake of iodine can lead to various systemic problems. The thyroid gland, a key endocrine organ regulating human metabolism, has a controlled mechanism for iodine uptake. Oral ingestion of povidone-iodine causes a sudden increase in iodine levels within the body, disrupting the thyroid's original equilibrium, potentially inducing hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, and disturbing the body's basal metabolic processes. Meanwhile, excessive iodine entering the bloodstream can impair liver and kidney function, manifested as elevated transaminase levels, proteinuria, and endangering overall health.
In daily life, povidone-iodine should be stored properly, placed out of children's reach on high shelves or in dedicated medicine cabinets, to prevent accidental ingestion by children.
