What is Iodine Tincture: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Follow the instructions printed on the iodine tincture bottle or package. 

Iodine is poisonous. It should never be swallowed or used in your eyes, inside your body, or over large areas of skin. 

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after you use this medicine. 

Clean the cut, scrape, or burn.

Apply a small amount to the wound one to three times daily.

Let the skin dry first if applying a sterile bandage to the wound. 

Do not use iodine tincture on a serious wound. If you are uncertain, talk to a healthcare professional.

If you forget to apply iodine tincture to a minor wound, apply it as soon as possible.

You can use iodine tincture on the wound up to three times a day.

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to any of its ingredients.

If you have treated a wound with iodine tincture, tell any healthcare provider who sees you that day about using iodine tincture.

Do not use iodine tincture on a serious wound that requires emergency treatment, but ask a healthcare professional for medical advice. Examples of serious wounds include:

• Deep wounds

• Puncture wounds

• Animal bites

• Serious burns

Call your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

Stop using iodine tincture and see a healthcare provider if:

• The wound gets worse

• You need to use iodine tincture for longer than one week

Overuse or misuse of iodine tincture may disrupt thyroid function. Use iodine tincture as instructed and only as needed. Do not use it on large areas of the skin.

Iodine tincture is flammable. Keep it away from heat, flame, or sparks.

Iodine tincture is poisonous. Keep it securely out of the reach of children. 

Do not swallow iodine tincture, use it in the eyes, or put it in the body. 

• If iodine tincture gets in an eye, flush the eye with larger amounts of water. While rinsing the eye, use your fingers to pull open the upper and lower eyelids.

• If iodine tincture is swallowed, immediately call emergency assistance or a poison helpline and follow their instructions. If there is no nausea or vomiting, the standard first aid treatment for iodine ingestion is to give milk and then a solution of cornstarch and water.

Iodine tincture has no serious or moderate drug interactions.

Do not apply other medicines or cosmetics to any skin treated with iodine tincture unless a healthcare provider says it’s okay.