Is it possible to cauterize herpes with iodine? Or is it better to use milder antiseptics for treatment? Such questions are often of interest to patients. Rashes with herpes are often localized on the lips. The skin in this area is hypersensitive and very prone to burns. Will iodine cause damage to the epidermis? The possibility of using this antiseptic we will consider in the article.
The composition of the drug
To answer the question: “Is it possible to burn iodine with cold sores on the lips?”, You need to understand the composition of the drug. In medicine, a solution of this substance is usually used. The iodine content in the preparation is 5%. The liquid ingredient in the drug is ethyl alcohol.
Iodine is an antiseptic. Alcohol has disinfecting properties. Both ingredients mutually reinforce each other's effect. Ethanol, and not iodine, has a cauterizing effect. This is the most aggressive component of the drug. Therefore, the use of such a remedy is indicated for herpes far from always.
Advantages of iodine
The iodine solution has a complex effect on human skin. This medication has the following properties:
- Iodine and alcohol kill bacteria.
- Ethanol burns tissue. This prevents necrotization of the epidermis.
- The solution penetrates deep into the layers of the skin. Therefore, iodine is a good way to prevent inflammation.
- Cauterization with iodine solution contributes to the outflow of excess fluid from the tissues. This prevents the appearance of edema.
It should be remembered that iodine is not only a local remedy. It is partially absorbed into the blood. This helps to enrich the body with a useful trace element. However, it is important not to overdose this substance.
Do herpes burn with iodine? Such treatment often prevents the penetration of a secondary infection into the wounds at the site of the rash. Iodine also contributes to the rapid healing of ulcers that form after a bubble rash breaks through. However, one should not forget about the disadvantages of this tool.
Cons of iodine treatment
The main disadvantage of iodine treatment is the aggressiveness of the alcohol solution. Using this product improperly can result in skin burns. And this is especially undesirable for herpetic eruptions, when the epidermis is irritated and inflamed.
Is it possible to burn herpes with iodine and not use any other drugs? Any doctor will answer this question in the negative. After all, the causative agent of herpes is the virus. Alcoholic solution of iodine does not affect this type of microorganism. Therefore, getting rid of infection only with the help of local antiseptics is impossible.
Indications and contraindications
Is it possible to cauterize herpes on the lip with iodine if the vesicles have not yet burst? In the active stage of rashes, any cauterization is contraindicated. In this case, an alcoholic solution of iodine can be harmful. Ethanol can cause burns on the surface of the bubbles. A vesicular rash is very sensitive to aggressive substances. Wounds can appear on the burned skin, which will become a gateway for the penetration of microorganisms. As a result, herpes is complicated by a secondary bacterial lesion of the epidermis.
Herpes on the lips can be burned with iodine after an independent breakthrough of a vesicular rash. In this case, the use of an antiseptic will be useful. Treatment with iodine solution will prevent the penetration of bacteria into wounds and sores and will contribute to the healing of the epidermis.
You can also use iodine in the very early stages of the disease, when the vesicles have not yet formed. Usually, with herpes, redness first appears on the skin, and only then vesicles appear. You can cauterize a hyperemic area of the epidermis with iodine solution. In some cases, this prevents the appearance of bubbles.
How to cauterize a rash
How to burn herpes on the lips with iodine? Before processing, it is necessary to dry the skin a little. To do this, wash the affected area with water and laundry soap, and then blot it with a napkin. This will provide better absorption of the drug.
For the treatment of herpetic rashes, you need to use cotton buds. Apply the drug pointwise to each vesicle. We must try not to affect healthy skin.
Smear herpes with iodine must be very careful. Do not apply an excessive amount of solution, this can cause a burn.
With an extensive rash, you need to use a separate cotton swab for each bubble. Otherwise, you can spread the infection to the skin.
The drug "Iodinol"
Sometimes the rash does not appear on the skin, but on the mucous membranes. Is it possible to cauterize herpes with iodine with such a localization of vesicles? Doing this is highly undesirable. So you can very easily get a burn. After all, the mucosa is much more sensitive to the effects of alcohol than the epidermis.
When a rash appears on the mucous membrane, it is better to use the drug "Iodinol". As part of this tool, iodine is also present. The solution also contains polyvinyl alcohol and starch. This somewhat softens the effect of the drug. Such a gentle agent is less aggressive on the skin and mucous membranes.
This drug can not only be purchased in pharmacy chains, but also made at home. To do this, you need the following ingredients:
- a teaspoon of ordinary alcoholic iodine solution;
- 10 g of potato starch and ground sugar;
- 50 g of boiled water;
- 2 g of citric acid.
All components must be mixed well and dissolved. You should get a blue color. This color occurs as a result of the interaction of iodine and starch.
If herpes has formed in the mouth or on the mucous membrane of the lip, then it is preferable to use "Iodinol" as a milder remedy. The medicine is applied to a cotton swab and the rashes are carefully treated. In this case, you must try not to smear the composition in healthy areas of the mucous membrane or skin.
It is very important not to overdose this drug. If rashes are processed in the oral cavity or on the lips, then a small part of "Iodinol" enters the body. With prolonged use of the drug, this can lead to iodine poisoning.
How to use iodine in complex treatment
So, we found out that cauterizing herpes with iodine is not enough for a complete cure. Antiseptics can only be used as an additional treatment. The main method of treating herpes infection is the use of antiviral ointments. Most often, doctors prescribe the following drugs:
- "Acyclovir";
- "Herpevir";
- Zovirax.
The use of these ointments in combination with iodine contributes to a speedy recovery. Local antiviral agents act directly on the causative agent of the disease, and an antiseptic prevents the penetration of bacteria into the wounds.
However, such complex treatment requires compliance with certain rules. After all, antiseptics and antiviral ointments can react with each other. Iodine does not last very long, and antiherpetic creams have a prolonged effect.
Doctors recommend applying antiviral topical products at least 5 times a day. Only in this case can we expect the effect of treatment. It is recommended to treat the rash with iodine only at night. At the same time, at least 3-4 hours after the last application of the ointment should pass.
The opinion of doctors
As the doctors answer the patients' question: "Is it possible to burn herpes with iodine?" There are different opinions of specialists regarding this method.
Some doctors do not approve of such treatment. They believe that the use of iodine can cause burns and excessively dries the skin. To prevent secondary bacterial infection, experts recommend using not iodine, but special antiseptic ointments.
However, many doctors consider treatment with iodine quite acceptable. They recommend using this old proven remedy at the final stage of the disease when the vesicles have already broken through.
At the same time, experts emphasize that therapy should be comprehensive. Iodine can be used only as one of the additional tools along with antiviral ointments. Only in this case the treatment will be effective.