Allergy to iodine
Pecquet, C.
Annales de Dermatologie et de Venereologie 130(8-9 Pt 1): 795-798
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0151-9638 PMID: 14576615 Document Number: 559999
Adverse effects from iodinated compounds used in medical applications are reviewed with particular reference to allergy-like reactions reported for iodinated contrast media (ICM; used for diagnosis purposes). Aspects considered include structure of ICM (classification according to ionic characteristics and osmotic pressure); anaphylactoid reactions to ICM; risk factors for ICM reaction; lack of risk association with allergies to iodine-containing foods; influence of ionic characteristics and osmolality on speed and severity of reaction; mechanisms of acute and late-onset reactions to ICM; diagnosis and treatment; preventive measures; and studies examining adverse effects from other iodine based medical products (polyvidone iodine disinfectant, iodine containing medication). It is suggested that the term iodine allergy is inappropriate as adverse reactions are associated with the molecular complex as a whole, rather than the iodine component of a product. It is also recommended that future patient research should take into account type of reaction (acute or delayed) and characteristics of the incriminated product.