Can iodine kill fungi?

Iodine is a medicine used to treat skin infections or disinfect. Generally reddish brown. The main ingredients are iodine and potassium iodide. Does iodine kill fungi? Actually, it is not possible. Because iodine can only kill bacteria. For many fungi, they cannot be killed because they are more stubborn than bacteria. If you have fungus in your body, it is best to choose other medicines.

The symptoms of fungal skin infection onychomycosis (commonly known as onychomycosis) are: yellow spots and black spots on the nail plates of fingers and toes, thickening of the nail plates, rough surface and brittle texture. You can use 2% iodine to apply on the nail plate (5% iodine is better). The application range should be slightly beyond the lesion range, twice a day. One course of treatment for fingernails is 3 months, and one course of treatment for toenails is 6 months. For patients with onychomycosis, if dark red swelling occurs in the soft tissue around the nail but no suppuration occurs, fungal paronychia should be considered. At this time, 2% iodine can also be applied around the nail. There is a type of tinea pedis called vesicular tinea pedis, in which small blisters the size of rice grains and of normal skin color appear in groups on the ventral sides of the fingers and toes, the palms of the hands, and the soles of the feet. There is also a type called immersion tinea pedis, in which the skin between the fingers or toes becomes white and scaly, which can be treated with 2% iodine. As for erosive and keratotic tinea pedis, they are not suitable for treatment with iodine.

Seborrheic dermatitis is common on the scalp, and is characterized by patches of erythema with clear borders and oily scales. A large number of saprophytes and fungi can be found in scalp lesions. You can also apply 1% iodine to the damaged areas of the scalp once a day to eliminate pathogens and reduce dandruff.

Viral skin disease molluscum contagiosum is an infectious skin disease that is common in children. The pathogen is molluscum contagiosum virus. The rash appears as round, light brown papules the size of mung beans with an umbilical depression in the middle, and can occur on the trunk and limbs of the child. The treatment method is: first disinfect the rash with 2% iodine, then wipe off the iodine with 75% alcohol, then use a disposable needle to pick out the molluscum bodies in the middle of the rash, and finally apply 2% iodine. Herpes simplex, commonly known as heat sores, is caused by herpes simplex virus infection. It often occurs at the junction of the skin and mucous membranes, such as around the mouth and cheeks. The rash appears as groups of small, crystal clear and shiny blisters the size of mung beans. At this time, 1% iodine can be applied.

The skin of the hands is prone to small breaks in daily work and life, and may be infected with papillomavirus. Hard, gray-brown papules the size of soybeans often grow next to the fingernails or on both sides of the fingers. The surface is rough, dry and painful. They are commonly known as warts, and are medically called common warts. The treatment method is: first use a small blade to thinly scrape off the hard stratum corneum, then apply 2% iodine tincture 2 to 3 times a day until the wart falls off. Continue to apply it for 1 to 2 weeks to prevent recurrence.

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