Can povidone-iodine reduce swelling?

Generally speaking, povidone-iodine cannot reduce swelling. If necessary for use, it should be applied under the guidance of a doctor. The specific explanation is as follows:

The main components of povidone-iodine are amorphous complexes of iodine and surface-active agents. Its primary function is disinfection and sterilization. Povidone-iodine achieves microbial killing by causing protein denaturation in bacteria and other microorganisms, thereby preventing wound inflammation from worsening due to bacterial infection. However, it does not have the capability to directly target the physiological mechanisms that cause swelling. Swelling typically occurs after local tissue damage, when blood vessels dilate and become more permeable, causing fluid and cellular components of the blood to leak into the tissue spaces. Since povidone-iodine cannot directly act on the blood vessels and tissues causing the swelling, it cannot fundamentally eliminate the swelling.

Reducing swelling usually requires medications with anti-inflammatory properties, the ability to promote blood circulation, and reduce exudation. Povidone-iodine lacks these pharmacological activities. It only serves as a disinfectant on the skin surface and at the wound site, and cannot promote local blood circulation, accelerate the absorption and metabolism of interstitial fluid to reduce swelling, nor can it inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators to alleviate swelling caused by inflammatory responses.

In daily life, it is important to rest adequately, avoid excessive movement of the swollen area, and prevent further aggravation of the swelling.