Which is better for folliculitis, iodine tincture or povidone-iodine?

Patients with folliculitis can use either iodine tincture or iodophor for disinfection during treatment if the skin is intact. However, if there is skin damage, iodophor is recommended. The choice between iodine tincture and iodophor for treating folliculitis should be made according to specific circumstances and under medical advice. Both iodine tincture and iodophor are commonly used disinfectants, each with their own characteristics. 1. **Iodine tincture**: Iodine tincture has a strong disinfectant and antibacterial effect. However, because it contains alcohol, it can be somewhat irritating to the skin and is therefore not suitable for application on damaged skin, as it may worsen skin lesions. 2. **Iodophor**: Iodophor is a complex of iodine and polyvinylpyrrolidone, and has relatively less irritation. It is suitable not only for disinfection of skin and mucous membranes, but also for preoperative skin disinfection. For patients with folliculitis, especially those with skin damage, iodophor is more appropriate, as it can effectively kill bacteria and clean wounds without irritating the skin.