What are the Effects of an Iodine Allergy?
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An iodine allergy would be an immediate response to iodine on the skin or iodine injected in a contrast dye to take better X-rays. In general such exposure would cause immediate anaphylactic shock in those who are allergic. A patient might show very labored breathing and the tongue or throat might swell. Treatment is an injection with epinephrine to stop the histamine reaction.
An actual iodine allergy is extraordinarily rare. Some show signs of sensitivity to iodine with nausea, flushing, fever, or some labored breathing. In most cases, this sensitivity, particularly to injected iodine is labeled iodine allergy. This however, is something of a misnomer. Very few are actually allergic to iodine.
One of the reasons people feel they may have an iodine allergy is if they are allergic to shellfish or simply fish. Both shellfish and other fishes are a rich source of iodine, but often those allergic are not responding to the iodine in the fish.
However, if one has a shellfish allergy, or any allergy for that matter, there is a slightly increased risk of “iodine allergy.” As compared to the person without an allergy to shellfish, people allergic to shellfish may show about a five percent greater chance of showing “iodine allergy” symptoms. However similar studies show that having any allergies increases the chance of being sensitive to iodine.
There are a few instances where iodine should not be injected. Iodine must be flushed out of the kidneys. Where a person’s kidney function is significantly impaired, it may be difficult for the body to eliminate the iodine. Such people may show a reaction to the continued presence of iodine in their bodies, which is sometimes also labeled as “iodine allergy.” When kidney function is impaired, kidney function tests are required to be certain injecting iodine will not cause difficulty for the patient.
Iodine becomes synthesized in the body as iodide, and many who show “iodine allergy” show absolutely no reaction to iodide. This is good news as many topical antibiotic creams contain iodide. When an allergy is noted, this again is sensitivity rather than true allergic reaction. Usually patients will note a skin rash on areas where iodide is applied.
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New: Discuss this ArticlePosted by: anon15176
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. Posted by: anon12730
hi, i am anaphylactic to shellfish and was wondering if i could still swim in the ocean without it affecting me. thanks
Posted by: anon11807
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?
Posted by: anon11093
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.
Posted by: AngeBarrett
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?
Posted by: rkoeneke
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? Posted by: question
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?
Posted by: anon7599
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?
Editor's reply: check out our article, What Are the Effects of an Iodine Allergy?, for more information on iodine allergy.
Posted by: anon6007
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.) Posted by: JewelsVern
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.
Posted by: anon4169
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?
Posted by: dallas
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?
Posted by: swinters
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?
Posted by: Tiphania
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.
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