I have an iodine allergy. My mother was unable to eat shellfish, therefore we never had it as children.

However I grew up in Canberra, which is a known iodine deficient area, and were given iodine tablets at school. This was supposed to be once a month, but often it was forgotten and we would have three or more doses at a time to "make up". I now wonder if this is where my allergy arose.

I cannot put iodine on my skin as it blisters. As an adult I went to a seafood restaurant with friends and was eating shellfish. I went into shock and could not breathe. Luckily my friend is a GP and I remember him screaming for an ambulance. I don't remember anything else for the next four hours. It was his intervention that saved my life.

Years later I was given contrast medium for a scan and the same thing happened. This was despite my card being marked in large red letters "allergic to iodine". Please be vigilant.

I too am allergic to iodine. I have been having throat closing symptoms for several months now and carry an epipen. I have been

trying to figure out what could be the continued culprit.

I had been buying Eggland's Best Eggs and one day read on the inside cover that one egg contained 40 percent iodine. I was so alarmed I called the company and they did respond by telling me they add 40 percent iodine to the chicken feed they use. Voila, eggs with iodine. I have been using these eggs for

at least a year and getting worse and worse each month.

I developed angioedema in my face and have swelling and tenderness on my scalp, in

addition to the throat closing. In relation to this chicken feed issue, many feeds still contain arsenic and the majority of the

arsenic is in the skin, but also in the meat. Research articles on this and it names the companies still using this feed.

I may just go totally vegan after this news.

I had iodine through an IV. I was fine before going in. I was going to get my pelvis checked, so I assume I would get barium, which i did, then before i knew it, I was getting iodine. I had no idea that I could not eat fish or shrimp because I was allergic to shellfish.

I only told them I had seasonal allergies. now I suffer a headache on my left temple and runs down to my eye and notice I developed a vein pop on the side of by temple that was created at the time my eyes started hurting when the iodine entered my head. please be aware this is painful.

I have an allery to iodine. I do not eat any kind of fish. I had or an ivp was attempted. i coded instead and i almost died. Needless to say they stopped the procedure and told me to stay away from iodine. Therefore fish is not, and has not been a part of my diet for over 30 years. It closes my lungs, and the gums in my mouth get swollen. This is dangerous! Watch the fish oils; they may have something in them to set off the allergy.

Today I got myself a CT scan at our local hospital for pains in the left side of my abdomen. I was doing fine until they injected me with the iodine. The iodine was hurting so much I was crying and then I started having breathing troubles and I ended up becoming nauseous and throwing up on the floor. I have never ever had this reaction before to anything, including salt and shellfish (which being a college student, salt is on the top of the diet and shellfish is well. Something I grew up with). I thought it was really odd that I never had a reaction to it before, but I am glad I know for my own health.

i am allergic to iodine, septrim and bactrim. Iodised salt causes a reaction the same as the drugs. Namely, shaking and numb mouth and feeling unwell. However, after a scan I experienced the itchy rash and the doctor was looking very panicky. A dose of Fenurgin eventually fixed it. Doc said no more iodine. My Mum would never use iodine on us kids but I did not know why. --abby m

My 88 year old mother had a ct scan and the dye used contained iodine. She had a severe reaction, itching and red. Her skin over her whole body shed. it was horrendous, very hot and sore and paper thin, and she had to be smothered in E45 three timnes a day. Sadly the support of the local GP was poor and we were told although she is blind, we could not have a district nurse or a continuous care nurse for the elderly to call, so we tended her ourselves. Her skin shed and she had raw palms and could not press down to get up from a chair and weeks later she cooled down and appeared back to normal but for at least three weeks she ate hardly anything. The CT scan revealed a lung tumour which is inoperable, but she cannot face another CT scan to see its progress as she is afraid of the iodised dyes.

I don't believe it, because I experienced a severe allergic reaction when I was about ten. I didn't know why but then my mother asked me what mouth wash I was using and only that little bit I ingested left me in bed not able to consume anything - even water- for a whole day. I also think that a iodine allergy causes weight issues, because of the part it plays in weight regulation. Either that or some other hormone causes the allergy!

I am 36 and have always had a mild reaction to shellfish e.g.: throat swelling, nausea, headache hay fever, rashes etc. A few years ago I started to get a very icky rash when I sat on the sand at the beach, along with generally feeling unwell. None of these have ever bothered me as the reactions have always been rather mild.

However I have just been released from hospital after eating bread. I rang the bread company and have found out that they have started adding iodized salt to the bread in the past week. My doctor doesn’t believe me that the bread made me gravely ill. However after eating just one slice of bread I immediately had swelling to my throat and face I had hot flushes, I was nauseated, and very unwell. What scared me the most was that I had only an hour before taken my prescribed antihistamine and steroid tables, that they sent me home from hospital with. I’m just glad my husband is a paramedic and the ambulance was parked in the driveway. Am I stupid or is it possible to have a reaction to iodized salt? My doctor is running the basic blood tests. Anyone have any ideas? --liz

I am glad to hear about so many people experiencing many of the same types of rections that I have to iodine. Sea water, shellfish, topical iodine, injected iodine, multiple vitamins, salty foods. My doctor and nutritionist both tell me that iodine allergy is not a real allergy. I can eat very few foods with over 300 mg sodium per serving. great support. thank you.

range barrett and anon31242: I have had an anaphylactic reaction to iodised salt. The doctor gave adrenaline,then reaction to injection prior to IVP x ray. Now I cannot get an epipen without being tested as my allergic reaction was diagnosed some years ago and the doctors treating me now are long gone! what do I do now at 70 years with other medical problems and iodised salt being introduced into the food chain in breads and bakeries making other cakes etc. will not use both plain salt and iodised salt. Eileen

Karen, my mother was going to a cancer hospital for 21 years for breast cancer. She had so many CT ccans done but, in the last couple of years she started having reactions. First, it was hives that ran all the way from the back of her thighs to her back. So the next time they gave her steroids to take the night before and gave her a Benadryl IV before the scan. I was in waiting area just outside when I saw a nurse run out and get a doctor and an oxygen tank. I told this man next to me that somebody was in trouble. It turned out to be my mother. She started having trouble breathing. After that experience she was told she can never have the iodine contrast again. They did other CT scans, and they did say that it was not as clear as an iodine one would be. At least they would get some information. If they say things have changed, ask them if they will sign a paper that says you are 100% safe.

As for the shellfish, you might have started developing an allergy to it too. I didn't even know I had an allergy to it until I had an allergy test. Fortunately, I was never a big shellfish eater before. Your other problems may come from other sources. Read labels. You may be ingesting iodine in other forms. I have found that different forms of iodine seem to affect different lymph nodes too.

I recently had swelling and pressure on my face and forehead but it turned out to be a really really bad sinus infection. And when I was younger I had problems with my eyes. It took an eye specialitst to find that the nerves in my head were swollen. I had a condition called Pseudocerebri. Basically, it is all the symptoms of a brain tumor but no tumor.

Maybe get second opinions and you might also try fasting. Sometimes, when I feel that there are too many toxins in my body I fast. It does help. And there is always the white rice thing. Eat nothing but white rice. After a while introduce one different food at a time. See how you feel after each one.

Good luck, Karen. I hope some of this helped.

I had 2 tests requiring IVP dye in 1978 (I was 19 years old) - the first test was fine. The 2nd test, my heart stopped and I nearly died. They told me I could never have IVP dye again. Ten years later, had to have a test done to see if I had a brain tumor - they loaded me up w/steroids first and said because "this" test was going directly into an artery, that I should be OK (the first 2 tests the IVP dye went into a vein). I still had a severe reaction and hives. Fve years ago I had surgery on my foot - I had never been allergic to topical iodine solutions and the surgeon used Betadine (or similar) in surgery - the itching was worse than the pain - had to take heavy meds to get through that - he said I should never have topical iodine solutions again. Now I am having seizures and hypothyroid problems and have had non-contrast testing done and really need to have contrasted xrays but I am terrified. They keep telling me things have changed but my sister (who had never shown such an allergy in her life) just recently had to have IVP dye and she had a reaction ... I can eat shellfish, which I used to love but recently doesn't taste as good to me - am I allergic to iodine or something else in these products? Can I trust them when they say they can give me something prior to testing so I won't die from the test, given my history?? I am now having some swelling issues on my forehead and other parts of my scalp and really should have some testing done - help?! Karen

Reactions to imaging dyes are rare and can cause death. I was on the table when mine was discovered and almost died as my heart rate dropped to the mid-30's. Thankfully I had a quick acting cardiologist who was able to stablize me. I now take 3 meds before any procedure to counter act the dye allergy and it has worked so far. --Susan

I have read all the posts. Rather than say I am allergic to iodine, I will simply state I am allergic to some form of contrast used in CAT scans for those who are skeptic. Any way you look at it, I react to contrast injections. For those that doubt how serious this is, a close family friend of 40 years went into our local hospital for a simple CAT scan, not knowing she would react to the contrast injections-she died on the table even with injections to save her. It shocked every one of us since it was so unexpected and so unheard of. I never took my own reaction serious until she died in minutes, now I am absolutely certain to make sure the nurses know I am allergic. Sad way to learn how serious this really is. For those of us who have it, most of us would rather *not* prove skeptics wrong by taking injections...if you do not mind:}

Eventually had to give up french fries from any fast food place because every time I ate them I would get a headache. FYI yes you have to watch those mulitivitamins too. iodine is a favorite ingredient in these.

Hi all I need an angiogram but I cannot have the dye injected in me as I've had this done for my bladder cancer, to look at the kidneys. The doctor then gave steroids but the x ray department said I must never have the dye injected ever again. My cardiologist says he might be able to get round this but I'm a little worried and he then mentioned bypass to the heart. I would like to hear from anyone with a similar problem ......Many Thanks Bob

Though I hate that we all suffer from this "allergy/sensitivity," it is nice to know I am not the only one. I had a reaction to iodine a long time ago. First, I had uncontrollable sneezing and the next time, my throat was closing on me. After that they told me to never have iodine contrast again. Over the years it has gotten worse. An allergy test told me that I was also allergic to Shellfish. However, I was still having reactions I didn't understand. But, because of the internet I am now more informed. I can't believe how many names Iodine has. Alginate, Agar, Carrageen, and not to mention the Red dyes. I had to switch from the regular Children's Liquid Benadryl to the Dye Free one. Even since I stopped ingesting anything red I stopped having upper respiratory infections all the time. I even told my pharmacy that I don't want any medications with red in them or in red capsules. I read every label when I buy groceries now. It takes longer, but the times I don't read the labels I regret it.

When I eat out I have to ask if the fries were fried in the same grease as the shrimp. I have to buy Haagen-Dazs ice cream because it is the only one without Carrageen. Recently, I had two severe reactions to something I ate. I had to keep drinking my liquid Benadryl until my throat stopped closing, but had to go to the doctor because by the next day it still was not relaxed back to normal. I now carry Liquid Benadryl and an Epipen with me all the time. And I just got a Medical Alert bracelet. At least, I managed to find one that is fashionable and not bulky to wear.

After reading some of the comments I am considering having my kidneys checked now. But, I have also had an allergic reaction to Iodine in the air. When the Rockets won their first championship they decorated our office in Burgundy and Gold crepe paper and balloons. My eyes and nose started running from the moment I sat down. The supervisor had to remove all of it. What fun, huh?

Well, my last comments are that we have to be proactive with this allergy. You need to know all the different names that iodine goes under because others may not. I went to have a biopsy, and I told the nurse that I was allergic to Iodine. She said no problem because they were going to use Benadine. Hello! That is Iodine. And if I have surgery I tell whoever is with me to never leave me alone. I knew a woman who went in for a simple biopsy. They gave her a shot or maybe took blood. Either way, by the time they came back to the room she was brain dead. She had had a reaction to the swab. From what I read on here, it must have been Iodine.

So my alert bracelet says Iodine** *all* forms and Info Wallet/Phone. I put the other names that I know for Iodine on my wallet card and in my home phone information. It may seem extreme, but my life may depend on it someday. Well, that is my story. Good luck to the rest of you fellow sufferers.

I found out about my sensitivity to Iodine when preparing shrimp. My hands became very hot and started burning and a rash quickly developed. I also noticed that when ingesting iodine, through seafood, I begin to have increased chest congestion and mucous production. So, here is a good one. I just started taking a multi-vitamin and a total body purifier. A day later, I noticed that I had a low grade fever and increased fatigue that I couldn't figure out why. Here I am a week later and can't seem to shake it. Low and behold, what is put into a multi-vitamin and the total body purifier, but Iodine!!

A few years ago I had an allergic reaction to shellfish. I was rushed to the ER I don't really remember much. A few months after the reaction I developed subclinical hypothyroidism, I am currently taking 60mg of Armour.

Last week I had a blood test taken and they determined that I was allergic to all forms of shellfish and also Iodine. I am really curious how this will affect me. Right before I was put on Armour my TSH and FT4 were both low, they did all sorts of pituitary tests and found my pituitary to be fine.

Could my Iodine allergy be causing my thyroid levels to be off? What other problems may I be facing with an Iodine Allergy other than just an anaphylactic reaction?

re: ange barrett, I have had an anaphylactic reaction to iodized salt and a reaction to injection prior to kidney x-ray. Interesting that I have some impaired kidney function like you.

With the introduction of iodized salt to all bread products in Australia. In September I am now looking to a safe test so I can have an epipen. Also is there any contraindications for the elderly using an epipen.

I tried one of those diets sponsored by physicians and had an allergic reaction to the products. The mineral supplement had 150 mcg of iodine and all the food replacements had iodine. I could use the products for 2 days and the third day I was flushed, felt sunburned, had a racing heart and over all panic. I quit for a day, resumed the regimen and the same thing happened again. When I discontinued, the symptoms disappeared.

Anyone ever heard of this before?

I am an X-ray Technologist, and we do have contrast dyes that are iodine-free. If a person has iodine, shellfish, or just multiple allergies, we always use this dye, so don't be scared of the test.

Also, swimming in the ocean is safe-it is not the ocean putting iodine into the seafood, but the process of a creature building a shell, that produces iodine in its tissues-the reason people react to shellfish, and not other fish that live in the sea!

I have an iodine allergy, but mine is more focused on the iodine swab, and also iodized anything. I've been told this is very rare. But it does happen, and it upsets me when people claim "Iodine allergies aren't real." Live my life for a day then tell me that.

lucid:

Iodine(I2) is an insoluble crystal, in water. Iodide ([x]I)is a salt common to be ionically bonded with potassium, thus potassium iodide(KI). KI can be handled by the body. Lugol's solution is a solution of both.

I saw Dr. Brownstein's video also. Very intriguing discussion. This guy was prescribing 75mg/day to people! If those people didn't die then there is no way you people are allergic to iodide. I claim that what you are seeing as an allergic reaction is the iodine replacing fluoride or bromide in your thyroid.

Which are hazardous poisons, yet the stuff is everywhere. In the water, in our bread, they have poisoned our precious bodily fluids. lol. seriously, though. I would say anyone who has a skin reaction is severely iodine-deficient. Learn more about it!

i am severely allergic to iodine but not to shellfish but now only just having reactions to some wines, not sure if it is the fining process where they use fish products or sulfates.

I had cat-scan schedule for a regular cat -scan

next i found I was to having an IV inserted with Iodine injected . I was told if i was allergic to any thing I said I had seasonal allergies.

I had no idea that the reason i could not eat shrimp was because i was allergic to iodine. I found out to late after i was given iodine I had a terrible reaction a bad headache eyes hurt and felt like vomiting. i was given benadryl and now suffer bad headaches and have high blood pressure. i was fine before.

will my father had ct chest with contrast 1-18-2008 and passed away 2-5-2008

I had an angiogram a few years ago and was terribly ill from the reaction to the contrast. I have had an iodine allergy all of my life. now my dr. wants me to have a discogram, and he won't do surgery on my back until I have one. I'm worried about the reaction and even death this time. any suggestions? i've had every test to prove what my back problem is already. i can't have steroids to counter react the contrast because i have diabetes.

Some people are allergic to iodine itself. Once in the ER for something else, I got my blood drawn and ended up with hives. Guess what -- the person who drew my blood hadn't paid any attention to the orange wristband and I assumed that everyone looks at the chart! I had been swabbed with iodine.

My worst reaction to iodine was it being used as part of a cleaning agent prior to me getting an MRI. I got serious hives, took the blispak and yet they came back. Now, I am always cautious about what medical people are using.

hi, i am anaphylactic to shellfish and was wondering if i could still swim in the ocean without it affecting me. thanks

How do I know if I have an iodine allergy? I need to have an angiogram and the doctor asked if I'm allergic to iodine. I have no idea. Can you help?

I have sea food allergies, fish and shellfish. I had a c-section and a week later I noted extreme itching and redness across my belly. The phone advise nurse said itching was a good sign of healing. When I went in to have my stitches checked the nurse called a doctor over to view my belly and I found out that I was having an allergic reaction to the iodine. I was advised to take benadryl and apply cortisone and check back in 4 days to see if clear. I think the ibuprofen and hydrocodone for pain helped subside the itchiness the first week. The allergy has lasted long but thank goodness I did not get a more extreme reaction like when I eat fish. If you are allergic like me and plan to have surgery ask the doctor to use a different topical sterilizer.

I was born with three kidneys (2 damaged which one needed repair). I had monthly IVP tests as a child. I currently get lumps on the back of my neck, sometimes my face, ears, and scalp when I ingest too much of anything with high levels of Iodine in it. The more iodine the worse the reaction. I do not usually have an immediate skin reaction but if I do eat sea salt or iodized salt I get a severe headache in a matter of minutes. I do not have the same reaction with un-iodized salt. I have been tested for other food allergies and the only other thing I am allergic to is soy (hives and itchy skin). Is there any cure for this problem, be it allergy or sensitivity?

I am still really confused regarding allergy or sensitivity. I have never before been allergic to shellfish - but have recently noticed that whenever I eat shrimp I get violently ill. However, today while I was donating blood I started to have a reaction on my arm. They had put iodine on my arm and almost instantly my arm became blotchy and itchy and I started feeling my throat tighten and felt queasy - they were able to completely wash my arm and within about a couple of hours I started feeling better.

My doctor - without testing me has authorized a prescription for a ephipen - so does this mean I am allergic or not to iodine?

Is iodine and Iodide the same thing? im severely allergic to shellfish, and i always thought i was allergic to iodide too, not iodine, i had an iodine injection at the hospital for xrays, and i fish all the time, so does that mean ive just been paranoid and not really allergic to iodine or iodide?

I have a low thyroid. I also have Lupus and Fibromyalgia. I am also very obese due to the steroid treatments I took over time. Would I benefit from Iodine? And if so, how would I know if I were sensitive to it? Would there be any side effects? What does iodine sensitivity look like?

Proteins are NOT the only thing that cause allergies! Have you never heard of fruit allergies, to name one?

Secondly, you CAN swim in the ocean if you are shellfish allergic -I have swam many times! I am severely allergic to shellfish (I need up to 4 epi pen injections and an inhaler before the ambulance even gets to me - my anaphylactic reaction is immediate and severe.)

Shellfish allergies are more likely to be present with an idodine sensitivity in a person, but an allergic person is not necessarily also allergic to iodine. A qualified allergist can test you for food/other allergies, and your fiance should be given a prescription for an epi pen prescription to carry with him at all times, if a true allergy is present.

Iodine allergies, while rare, are real. Mine has been confirmed through direct contact at a hospital (being swabbed with iodine solution, and having an immediate anaphylactic reaction.)

First, only proteins cause allergies. Second, iodine is a poison. A chemical reaction is necessary to convert it to iodide. A chemical reaction involving skin is called a burn. Confusing iodine with iodide is a very common mistake. Even people who ought to know better do it.

Every time I eat/drink a product containing even a little bit of Spirulina, I become very ill - severe vomiting, dizziness - my whole body goes into shock. Could I be sensitive to iodine?

I do have hypothyroidism, and take medication for this, would that be affecting me?

I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and according to Dr. David Brownstein on the web, even people with autoimmune thyroid disease need more iodine and about 95% of the population in the States is iodine deficient. I know I am. If I do the iodine patch test, the iodine only remains on my skin for a few hours. Trouble is, whenever I try to get more iodine either by painting it on my skin, or eating kelp or whatever, although I feel really good and quite energetic, I get a sore throat in the thyroid area. I had this same symptom when I took Armour Thyroid medication and my naturopath said it was because I am allergic to it. Is a sore throat indicative of iodine allergy? Is there anything I can do about it?

I suspect that I have an allergy to Iodine as I had a severe allergic reaction to some topical medicine containing iodine. 4 days ago, I started taking a multivitamin containin 150 mcg of iodine and I had another reaction. Could I be reacting to the iodine in the multivitamin?

my fiance is allergic to iodine. he can not eat any seafood without it coming back up (and unfortunetly he absolutely loves shrimp). my question is would he be able to swim in the ocean on our honeymoon or would he have an allergic reaction too. if so then we need to change our plans.