Chemical Burns from Povidone-Iodine

Povidone-iodine is a topical microbiocide made up of iodine and polyvinylpyrrolidone (a polymer similar to dextran), which acts as a carrier. This report describes two patients who developed chemical burns at the site of prolonged exposure (four hours) to 10% povidone-iodine solution during surgery. In both cases, patch tests to povidone-iodine were negative and electrical burns were ruled out.

Allergic and irritant reactions to this commonly used product are rarely reported. Chemical burns are even rarer but are often misdiagnosed as electrical burns.