Povidone-iodine (polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine, PVP-I) solution is an effective and safe disinfectant agent used throughout the world; however, prolonged exposure to PVP-I solution may cause irritation or rarely severe skin reactions. When PVP-I as is in the aqueous state is used for patch testing, a false-positive result is likely to arise due to irritation. Patch testing to exclude allergic contact dermatitis caused by PVP-I should be done with dried 10% PVP-I solution, 10% PVP-I gel, 8% sodium thiosulfuric acid and a mixture of 10% PVP-I solution and 8% sodium thiosulfuric acid.

Keywords:
Patch testing, Allergic contact dermatitis
1.
Kozuka T: Editorial comment: What is the suitable method for patch testing to detect allergic contact dermatitis caused by povidone-iodine? Environ Dermatol 1999;6:261–262.
2.
Gottardi W: Potentiometrische Bestimmung der Gleichgewichtskonzentrationen an freiem und komplexgebundenem Jod in wässrigen Lösungen von Polyvinylpyrrolidon-Jod (PVP-Jod). Fresenius Z Anal Chem 1983;314:582–585.
3.
Okano M: Irritant contact dermatitis caused by povidone-iodine. J Am Acad Dermatol 1989;5:860.
4.
Iijima S, Kuramochi M: Irritant contact dermatitis caused by 10% povidone-iodine solution after an operation. Jpn J Dermatol 1999;109:1029–1041.
5.
Nishioka K, Seguchi T, Yasuno H, Yamamoto T, Tominaga K: The results of ingredient patch testing in contact dermatitis elicited by povidone-iodine preparations. Contact Dermatitis 2000;42:90–94.
6.
Kanerva L, Estlander T: Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by povidone-iodine (Betadine). Environ Dermatol 1999;6:101–104.
7.
Dukes PJ, Marks R: An evaluation of the irritancy potential of povidone-iodine solution: Comparison of subjective and objective assessment techniques. Clin Exp Dermatol 1992;17:246–249.
8.
Tupker RA, Schuur J, Coenraads PJ: Irritancy of antiseptics tested by repeated open exposures on the human skin, evaluated by non-invasive methods. Contact Dermatitis 1997;37:213–217.
9.
Iijima S, Kuramochi M: Investigation of irritant skin reaction by 10% povidone-iodine solution after surgery. Dermatology 2002;204(suppl 1):103–108.
© 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel
2002
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.