Betadine for Preparedness

Usually I don't focus on the survival purposes of any given item.  In our home we prepare for the long-term to the extent that we strive to be as self-reliant as possible.  Survival to me has a connotation of hanging on for the short-term, relying more on skills than supplies, and planning to figure the rest out in time.  Survival also suggests to me the idea of making do with the minimum and having every item serve multiple purposes.  Or asking questions like, "What is the most important antibiotic to store?" or "What's the best weapon for self-defense?"  Sometimes, we need more than one. 

I think that happens in a lot of areas of preparedness, and while it makes taking inventory easier, the reason we have such diversity is that specific tools have their unique uses.  If I were to store only one skin prep solution, I would probably go with rubbing alcohol.  It's got numerous applications and is very inexpensive.  But then I wouldn't have the advantages of many other skin prep solutions.

Betadine (the generic name is povidone iodine--I'm going to use Betadine in this post--it's much shorter) is one of those solutions that we shouldn't really be without.  And another great thing about Betadine is that it lasts forever.  While companies are required by law to label their products with "best by" or "use by" dates, Betadine doesn't go bad.  It can be twenty years old and still good to use.

WOUND CLEANING
There's a bit of debate about whether Betadine should be used for cleaning in a wound.  Physicians seem to split about 50-50 on the issue.  So let's consider that for a moment.  For one, it's a 50-50 split.  Does one risk killing healthy tissue to prevent possible infection?  On the other hand, why not just use straight water, which won't kill tissue?  Now consider that in a post-collapse society, Betadine may become a very limited resource.  Why use up a valuable resource when plain water will do the job?

Now, for cleaning around a wound or in preparing for surgery, or washing hands prior to procedures, and in cleaning umbilical cords, Betadine is a great choice.  There is a reason why it is on WHO's List of Essential Medicines.  Fortunately for us, it is available over the counter. 

Research has shown that Betadine has zero efficacy against rabies.  So in cleaning around animal bites, choose something else.  Benzalkonium chloride is actually the best choice for animal bites.

SUGARDINE
Sugardine is a mixture of Betadine and sugar used in treating wounds, burns, and infections.  (Links to research articles are included below.)  Begin with the amount of sugar you think you want for applying to the wound, and mix in povidone-iodine drop by drop until you achieve the consistency of peanut butter. Apply the paste to the wound and wrap with gauze.  Change the dressing every 24-48 hours. 

DISINFECTING MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS
When diluted to 2.5% (one part of the 10% solution to three parts water), it can be used to disinfect medical instruments.  Instruments should soak for 15 minutes.

WATER PURIFICATION
In an emergency, an iodine wipe can be dropped into a one-liter bottle of water to purify it for drinking.  This generally takes about 15 minutes, but cooler or cloudy water should be permitted to stand 30 minutes.  Betadine will not kill protozoa.  If you have a vitamin C tablet, add it after 15-30 minutes to reduce the iodine taste.  This method of treatment is not recommended for long term use (say, more than a few months) due to the risk for developing goiter.

RADIATION EXPOSURE:
One option that may work if you don't have potassium iodide tablets and there is the threat of radioactive iodine exposure is to apply Betadine in place of taking the tablets.  However, this must begin before the individual is going to be exposed to radiation.  Apply 8 ml of Betadine to the abdomen or forearm 2-12 hours prior to radiation exposure and reapply each day.  Use 4 ml for children 3 years and up (but under 150 lbs),  2 ml for toddlers, and 1 ml for infants.  Continue for 3 days or until radiation levels drop.  (A teaspoon is 5 ml.)

HEALTH
The body needs iodine to function properly.  That's why we have and why we store iodized salt.  Unfortunately, iodized salt doesn't stay iodized and becomes plain salt over time.  To test for iodine deficiency, paint a 3x3" square of iodine on the inner arm, inner thigh, or abdomen.  Let dry completely and then dress as usual.  Check in exactly 24 hours.  Is the patch the same color, lighter, or gone?  If it is lighter or gone, then the body is deficient in iodine and Betadine can be painted regularly on the body to remedy that deficiency.  Unfortunately, the test does not work well on those with darker skin. 

Note.  There is a myth that people allergic to seafood are allergic to iodine.  Some physicians are complicit in perpetuating this myth.  If this is a concern for you, please read the medical articles at the addresses provided below.   

Cautions.  Do not drink Betadine.   Adverse reactions may occur in those individuals taking diuretics and/or lithium. Do not use iodine for water purification for people allergic to iodine, for those with any thyroid condition, or for pregnant women. 

Links to related posts:
Skin Preps and Washes
Sugar--Alternative Medicine
Dietary Deficiencies and Consequences--Iodine
Salt 

For further reading:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1638306/
https://www.who.int/medicines/publications/essentialmedicines/EML2015_8-May-15.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7302631
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17680256
https://insidefirstaid.com/first-aid-kit/povidone-iodine-betadine-a-powerful-antiseptic 
The Survival Medicine Handbook, pp 255-260.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16541971  (iodine and seafood allergy)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18261505  (iodine and seafood allergy)
https://acaai.org/resources/connect/ask-allergist/shellfish-allergy-related-iodine (iodine and seafood allergy)

  20 august 2019