ANTISEPTICS – Povidone and Iodine – FIRST AID
Povidone iodine (Betadine, riodine), a buffered iodine, is an antiseptic and used to kill bacteria, and reduce fungi and viruses.
Povidone iodine comes in liquid, cream, q tips, wipes, scrubs and sprays. This antiseptic does stain floors and clothes, so be careful, especially when using a spray.
Using povidone iodine is not dangerous to the cells unless over many weeks and in big wounds. In diabetics, it is a saviour in reducing infections and keep gangrene dry and reducing risk of infection. It is used on the body before surgical procedures.
Using povidone iodine, especially in an alcohol base, is good for dry gangrene toes and fingers.
See how to clean a wound with betadine.
Some people are allergic to iodine but may be able to tolerate povidone iodine or Betadine.
Iodosorb paste and powders which contain povidone iodine is indicated in infected and/or sloughy wounds. This should be stopped once infection is cleared and not kept on for just in case, as should any antiseptic. The skin needs to keep its natural bacterial flora to help fight the bad bugs.
Hand hygiene, cleaning and suitable dressings should be continued. In large wounds, discuss with your health care practitioner to whether you should use povidone iodine or not, as larger wound can absorb too much iodine into the body, if used for a long period of time.
Chlorhexadine
Chlorhexidine, a cetrimide is also good for wounds but less effective in gram negative bacteria, limited antifungal reduction, but does reduce candida. Its action lasts longer in the wound than povidone iodine.
Neosporin
USA has neosporin cream on the market, which is an antibiotic antiseptic. There are concerns using antibiotic on the skin, because it can cause bacterial resistance, where bacteria become resistant against the antibiotic and becomes useless to use if used the next time.
It would be better to use antiseptic on the wound and antibiotic tablets under medical supervision.
If the redness does not disappear or reduce after 2 days, or you are a diabetic or unwell, nausea, off your food, fever, chills, pain, please see your doctor.
Povidone iodine comes in different forms. Left – Iodosorb paste, also comes in a powder for very wet wounds. Difficult to apply on vertical wounds. Middle – Solution comes in water or alcohol Right – wipes. One use only. Sterile Also comes in a spray
Dip gauze into povidone iodine solution and use forceps or gloves as it stains. Very messy
Apply iodosorb paste directly to an interface such as atrauman, jelonet or squeeze enough on back of forceps or spatula and smear on wound only like you would peanut butter on toast. Don’t squeeze directly on the wound, as nip may touch the wound and contaminate the tube. Do not touch tube opening with fingers either
Honey Wound Dressing
Honey comes in tubes paste, gels, in pads. Can make wound more wet and can cause pain. It has a hydrogen peroxide type action. There are wound centers that love it, others don’t use it. Also depends on access and country.
Australia has medihoney creams and other gels that dissolve bad tissue. If the wounds get too wet, stop the creams and or try to use more absorbent, thicker dressings.
Cellulitis Infection – FIRST AID
These pictures area sequence on how a wound would get worse and what to do.
Notice in the picture above, there is no redness around the wound. It is not infected.
This wound has about 1cm of redness
Mild redness can be stopped by cleaning and applying antiseptic, however may still progress to infection.
Scrub the wound well with saline and or Betadine. Use Betadine or iodosorb paste as an antiseptic. Remember to use an interface over a paste dressing. Diabetics and immunocompromised should go to the doctor at this stage.
Redness spread past 2cm
This wound redness has now spread past 2 cm and red streak starting to travel up leg. This should have been treated earlier and now may need IV antibiotics. Go to a doctor or hospital immediately. Infection will cause a person to become unwell within a few hours. A person may or may not have groin pain. Some also get pain in the back of the knee.
Redness Increasing
Edges of redness is marked to see if redness is still increasing even if on antibiotics. Pain in groin, unwell, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting requires hospital visit quickly as now you may need antibiotics by the drip.
If a transparent dressing , redness progression is seen more easily.
MEDICAL CONSULTS ONLINE
MEDICAL CONSULTS via affiliate links, are available on consults page virtually. Some will treat chronic conditions, others may treat acute infections. Depends on provider and country.
There are links to pharmacies that will fill prescriptions from your doctor, or triage and have medical personnel on staff.
USA has online doctor consults. They also can service those with no medicaid.
