
Can infants use povidone-iodine to clean wounds?
Disease description:
My baby was scratched by a wire today. I would like to ask if it's okay to use iodophor to clean the wound on an infant, and what possible effects there might be?

An infant's skin is delicate, so special care must be taken when treating wounds. Povidone-iodine is a commonly used antiseptic widely applied for wound disinfection. The following precautions should be observed when using povidone-iodine on infants:
1. **Use of Povidone-Iodine**: Povidone-iodine has good antibacterial properties and can effectively kill bacteria on the wound surface. For superficial wounds, povidone-iodine may be used under a doctor's guidance. However, it should be noted that povidone-iodine may cause irritation to an infant's sensitive skin.
2. **Precautions**: Before applying povidone-iodine, ensure the wound is clean and dry. During application, avoid excessive use and prevent direct contact of povidone-iodine with the eyes, mouth, or other sensitive areas. Additionally, povidone-iodine should not be used for prolonged periods to avoid allergic reactions or other adverse effects.
3. **Alternative Options**: For wound care in infants, non-irritating antiseptic products may be chosen, or an antibiotic ointment can be applied after cleaning the wound. Keeping the wound dry and avoiding friction can promote healing.
If the infant's wound shows signs of abnormality such as redness, swelling, or discharge, seek medical attention promptly.