Betadine for children

Betadine is one of the popular antiseptic agents used in surgery, gynecology, pediatrics and other fields of medicine. From what age can you use such a medicine in children and what features of use is important for parents to know?

Release form

In the pharmacy assortment you can find the following Betadine:

Solution used for external treatment. This brown transparent liquid contains 10% of the active substance. The solution is poured into polyethylene bottles of different volumes - 30 ml, 120 ml and 1000 ml.
Ointment for external use... It is represented by a homogeneous brown mass, which has an indistinct iodine odor. One tube contains 20 g of ointment with a 10% content of the active ingredient.
Vaginal suppositories... They are distinguished by their dark brown color, elongated shape and homogeneous structure. One package contains 7 or 14 suppositories.

Composition

The main ingredient in any form of Betadine is called povidone iodine. In 1 ml of solution and 1 gram of ointment, it is contained in a dose of 100 mg. One suppository contains such a substance in an amount of 200 mg.
Water, glycerol, Na hydroxide solution and disodium hydrogen phosphate are added to the liquid form. In addition, citric acid and nonoxynol 9 act as auxiliary components of the solution.
In Betadine ointment, in addition to povidone iodine, purified water and sodium bicarbonate, 4 types of macrogol are added (400, 1000, 1500 and 4000).
In candlesticks, macrogol 1000 is an additional component.

Operating principle

Betadine is classified as an antiseptic used topically and topically. Iodine, which is released from such a drug upon contact with the mucous membrane or skin surface, combines with the proteins of the microbes, as a result of which the bacteria die within 15-60 seconds after treatment.

The drug has a bactericidal effect against many gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. It also affects fungi, protozoa and viruses. Only tuberculous mycobacteria are resistant to it.

Indications

Betadine in solution is used for different purposes:

Such a drug is used to treat the patient's skin during surgical treatment - both before and after the operation.
Betadine is used for various medical procedures, such as injections, punctures, or biopsies. This solution is used to lubricate the skin around the probe, catheter or drainage.
This medicine is applied by surgeons and other healthcare professionals to their hands before various procedures.
Betadine is advised to handle the hands of people who are caring for an infected patient.
Such a drug is also in demand for the treatment of patient care items.
The tool is used topically for infection of the nasopharynx (drip into the nose), as well as the oral cavity (treat the mucous membrane for stomatitis, use it to rinse the throat).
Betadine has been used successfully for various skin infections. It helps with viral infections (for example, chickenpox), fungal infections and purulent skin lesions.
Treatment with Betadine is prescribed for trophic ulcers, as well as for bedsores.

Betadine in the form of an ointment is in demand for purulent dermatitis, wounds, burns, trophic ulcers and other skin problems.

Suppositories Betadine are prescribed for vaginosis, candidiasis, vaginitis and Trichomonas infection, as well as for diagnostic or surgical procedures in the vagina.

From what age is it allowed to take?

Instructions for the use of an ointment or solution prohibits the treatment with Betadine in children during the neonatal period.

The use of the drug in the first 4 weeks of life is permissible only when absolutely necessary and only after tests that determine the state of the thyroid gland.

For children over a month old, such forms of medicine can be used without fear, and in candles it is prescribed for girls over 8 years old.

Contraindications

Betadine treatment is prohibited:

With renal failure.
With adenoma of the thyroid gland.
With hypersensitivity to iodine.
With hyperthyroidism.
With dermatitis herpetiformis.

Side effects

If the patient has an increased sensitivity to iodine, then treatment with Betadine will cause him to flush, itching and other local symptoms, after which the drug should be discontinued immediately. To make sure that there is no iodine intolerance, the first use of the drug should be trial - in a small amount on a small area of the skin.

If Betadine is used in large quantities, treating a large area of skin or mucous membrane, iodine from the drug will be absorbed, which can impair the function of the thyroid gland. The same side effect can be observed with very long use of the drug.

Instructions for use and dosage

Liquid Betadine is used according to the following recommendations:

To treat the skin with Betadine solution, it is not required to dilute it. For the treatment of mucous membranes, drains, burn surfaces and in some other cases, the drug is diluted to a concentration of 0.1% to 5%.
Liquid Betadine must not be heated.
The medicine should not come into contact with the eyes.
If Betadine comes in contact with blood when treating wounds, this will reduce its bactericidal effect.
The drug should not be used for animal or insect bites.
The surface treated with Betadine turns brown due to the formation of a film from which iodine is released. When it disappears, the effect of the drug ends. If necessary, such a film can be easily removed with water.

Betadine ointment is gently lubricated with damaged skin. This dosage form is applied in a thin layer 2 to 3 times during the day. If required, you can cover the treated surface with an occlusive dressing on top. The ointment should not get on the mucous membrane of the eye, and the skin after lubrication, as in the treatment with a solution, acquires a brown tint, which can be easily removed by washing with plain water.

The Betadine candle should be moistened with water and carefully inserted into the vagina (this form is especially carefully used in virgins). The medicine is used at night for 7-14 days.

Overdose

An excessively large dose of the drug leads to acute iodine intoxication, which manifests itself:

Metallic taste in the mouth.
Increased salivation.
Pain in the mouth.
Heartburn.
Irritation and puffiness of the eyes.
Skin reactions.
Digestive problems.

In case of very severe poisoning, laryngeal edema, deterioration of the kidneys and blood circulation, and pulmonary edema are possible. For treatment, the doctor prescribes symptomatic therapy.

Interaction with other medications

Liquid Betadine should not be mixed with any disinfectant and antiseptic drugs, especially if they contain enzymes, mercury or alkali. The same limitation is provided for the ointment.

Terms of sale

You can buy any form of the drug at the pharmacy without a prescription. The average price of 30 ml of solution is 160-170 rubles, tubes of ointment - 240-250 rubles, and packs of 7 suppositories - 350-400 rubles.

Storage conditions and shelf life

For storage, you should choose an unlit dry place where there is no access for a small child. The liquid form must be stored at room temperature (below + 30 ° C), the optimal temperature range for storing the ointment is + 15 + 25 ° C, and for storing candles - + 5 + 15 ° C. The shelf life for the solution and ointment is 3 years, for suppositories - 5 years.

Reviews

Most parents respond positively to the use of Betadine as an antiseptic. Moms praise such a remedy for its high efficiency and lack of side effects. Negative symptoms after using this medication are extremely rare.