The Iodine Allergy Myth

Along with this, those who suffer gluten intolerance may believe that they are "allergic" to iodine. And the fact that Iodine displaces bromide, causing "brominacne", may lead the uninformed to think that they are "allergic" to Iodine as well.

Good simple explanation on Iodine "allergy":


http://www.sdirad.com/PatientInfo/pt_iodinated%20contrast.htm


"Some people that have a history of allergy to shellfish, a history of a previous reaction to IV iodinated contrast, or a history of a reaction to a topical iodine solution, have been told that they have "iodine allergy." This is actually not correct. "Iodine Allergy" doesn't really exist. Iodine is a substance essential to life and is found throughout your body like within thyroid hormone or in amino acids, your body's basic building blocks. The reactions experienced in each of these situations do not have to do with the presence of the iodine. Instead, in each case the reaction is to another substance. In the case of shellfish, the reaction is to tropomyosin, a muscle protein. In the case of iodinated contrast, it is the other portion of the contrast molecule, not the iodine. In the case of topical iodine solution, it is to other substances in the solution, not the iodine itself.

Shellfish allergy is not a contraindication to iodinated contrast because the allergy is entirely unrelated. This is a longstanding myth even within the medical community and is difficult to dispel. To some degree, asthma will increase the possibility of a contrast reaction. Sensitivity to Betadine® and other Iodine-containing solutions is unrelated to reactions to iodinated radiographic contrast agents.

From the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology:

Once a person has one contrast reaction they are at very high risk for more unless treated. The reactions do tend to be worse in people who are dehydrated (dried out) when they are given the contrast in their veins. These reactions are not caused by iodine and are not more common in people with shellfish or any other true allergy. They can be minimized by pretreatment with antihistamines and oral steroids and/or using non-ionic contrast material that, interestingly, still has iodine in it." Tweet