Allergy to iodine ..why now!?

[Catseyes235]

After my eye injections in August I had an allergic reaction I’ve never had before. With 10 minutes of leaving hospital my nose started streaming ...which I thought may be hay fever but when I got home one eye was swollen and badly bloodshot. Had a little sleep and when I woke my cheeks were red and swollen so took anti-histamine and after a few hours the symptoms subsided. When I had injection in just one left eye in September I told them so they reduced the iodine and washed my eye out really well and washed as well as they could with mask on. I had same reaction again but very much less so just the streaming nose and no swelling. Took antihistamine and all well.

Is it possible to develop an intolerance of iodine after having it for 4 years? The worst I’ve had before is crusting as iodine dries. I think they have put it on my notes but will check before next appointment.

[springcross]

Hi Catseyes. I had this badly once early last year. The person who does my injections always goes overboard on the iodine and at that time didn't ever flush it out afterwards. I've had many times where it's been sore for a couple of days afterwards but this time, right from when I got out of the chair, my left eye was extremely sore and just ran for the rest of the day as did my left nostril. It was so uncomfortable and was stinging all day and I had to sleep with a pad of tissues under my nose as the iodine must have gotten into the sinuses on the right side too. I had fluid bags above and below my left eye and it was quite red and very sore. It stopped running by the morning but was sore for several days and still red after a week. I complained to the opthalmologist at my next appointment and things have improved but it makes me very angry that I have to keep reminding about having it flushed out (and sometimes it's done begrudgingly). It sounds as though yours may be getting into the sinuses more for some reason but that's just my opinion. I would certainly ask your opthalmologist next time you go why they think it's happening, there is something else they can use instead of iodine but I don't think it has quite the same properties. Someone else on here may post with a different view yet but I would certainly have words next time. All the best. x

[Catseyes235 in reply to springcross]

Did you not take any antihistamine? The person injecting was very good and minimised the iodine and flushed it thoroughly but guess there was still slight residue or just from using it. Trouble is the time before, the person injecting thinks she’s being kind in taking her time and explaining everything slowly which actually just exposes your eye and skin for longer. I kept hospital mask on after treatment and it was very yellow on the margins so of course rubbing on cheek.

This time I was given gel lubricant as well and I changed back to own mask straight away so symptoms not nearly as bad. Take care.

[springcross in reply to Catseyes235]

I've never taken antihistamines - I've never needed to, I don't even have any in the house and have never even thought about it although I have read on here a couple of times that people have taken them. I have had yellow in the corner of my eye on a couple of occasions even after a rare good flush-out and an hour or so later after arriving home. I am never given anything but wipes after injection, I certainly have never geen given any gel lubricant - you are lucky. x

[Catseyes235 in reply to springcross]

I always have antihistamines around as suffer from hay fever. Handy to keep as emergency medicines if get reaction. The gel lubricant was just a one off administered before I left the hospital. (Like the viscotears I used a lot of when had thyroid eye disease 20 + years ago)

Maybe you should invest in some as a standby - cheap from Wilkos or Superdrug but local chemist will have.

[springcross in reply to Catseyes235]

Food for thought. x

[Eyecloud]

I read a post a while ago and the patient changed from iodine to chlorohexadine (not sure of spelling!) maybe ask if you can do this?

[Catseyes235 in reply to Eyecloud]

Yes I’ll ask thanks!

[FireDrake in reply to Eyecloud]

Hi

Yes i did change to chlorohexidine for sometime but the possibility of infection is much higher so I was persuaded back to iodine. Now I have a method for coping which is to gargle as I leave the hospital then to flood my eye with gel - this seems to work at the moment. I do not think that the doctors understand just how unpleasant the iodine is and they do not understand how important it is to wash it out. iodine causes chemicals burns

[Fishing1949]

Like you, I had problems with iodine, My consultant changed to using chlorohexadine and I have had no problems since. I understand that many people have discomfort following iodine. I hope this helps.

[Catseyes235 in reply to Fishing1949]

I’m going to ask but I think from the conversation they'll do this in future just weren’t prepared this time. Just seems strange to develop this allergy after years!

[maryparry]

I had anaphylaxis earlier this year due to a contrast medium injected into my vein in order to take a ct scan of my kidneys. As I understand it iodine allergy doesn't actually exist (worth googling) but I was allergic to the solution it was in. I am 71, have had it done before but these allergies can start at any age...I developed hay fever at 56! I would write to your opthalmologist and ask for this to be highlighted on your notes.

[Catseyes235]

Yes I should write to the hospital as when I had a stroke I rang hospital and it hadn’t been added to my notes!! Yes I started hay fever when nearly 30 but hardly bothered by it now! I think you can be allergic to iodine as seen on this site? I’m 70 so yes can start anytime.

[fed12]

Yes, iodine allergy can creep up on you. I was fine at first with it. But I gradually got more and more sensitive to it.

my ophthalmologist switched me to half strength which is fine. He thinks chlorohexadine is "rubbish"!

Wishing you all the best xxxx

[Catseyes235]

Thanks ... I’ve heard of half strength and that’ll probably do me fine...I’ll keep those antihistamines to hand just in case! Your ophthalmologist doesn’t mince his words but others have said they’ve been okay on it. I’ll take what I’m given. Cheers