Is alcohol required to remove iodine after using tincture of iodine to treat paronychia?
Disease description:
Recently, I experienced some pain in my nails. After visiting the hospital for an examination, the doctor diagnosed me with paronychia and recommended treatment with iodine tincture. When using iodine tincture to treat paronychia, is it necessary to remove the iodine with alcohol?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wan
Iodine tincture is generally not required for the treatment of paronychia, and alcohol-based iodine removal is typically unnecessary. Paronychia is an inflammatory condition primarily caused by bacterial infection of the fingernails or toenails. Common symptoms include pain and swelling of the perionychial tissue. Treatment usually involves anti-infective measures—such as disinfection with povidone-iodine—or, under medical supervision, topical antifungal agents (e.g., miconazole nitrate cream or terbinafine hydrochloride cream) to improve symptoms. Iodine tincture is generally not recommended, as it contains alcohol; improper use may irritate the skin and potentially exacerbate the condition.
