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Why is Iodine good to have in First Aid Kits?

Someone told me recently that it is better to have Iodine wipes/swabs/liquid in your First-Aid kits rather than Peroxide and/or Alchol. I wanted to know why? And which brand of Iodine to get as I notice a few brands (Betadine, Providone). Help!!!

Public Comments

1. Iodine and peroxide are both disinfectants but they're composed of different ingredients, one seems to be more harmful and unpleasant than the other

2. If you get surgery done they use iodine to disinfect the area to be cut. Not peroxide or alcohol. I think I will stick with iodine.


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3. Well, it doesn't burn and it's not unpleasant to use other than being orange lol.
But it disinfects really good.
It doesn't matter what brand you get it's all great stuff!

4. Iodine is a handy, high strength disinfectant. It is non toxic and can be used to sterilize very deep wounds, and even purify drinking water (if you're in the woods or something.)

Peroxide does not kill germs, that's a common misconception. It just helps to clean dirt out of deeper cuts and scratches.

Alcohol kills germs but it's irritating to skin and does not provide lasting protection once it evaporates.

And last,....I love Betadine. At my hospital they use it for surgery.