I have generalized heat with itchy eyes and nose after a CT scan with iodine. Am I allergic to iodine and can I use disinfectant pads containing iodine?

Hello, No, the reaction you had is an adverse reaction to the product you received, but it is not considered an allergy. In fact, a true allergic reaction to an iodinated contrast product leads to much more serious effects such as swelling (edema), red patches on the body, difficulty breathing, heart problems, etc. These effects are rather rare (2% of people) and if a person has to undergo a test, it is not considered an allergy. These effects are rather rare (2% of people) and if a person has to undergo such an examination again, certain measures must be taken. In your case, being minor effects, if you have to take such an exam again, it may be appropriate to mention it to the treatment team, but no other precautions are necessary Please note that having even a significant reaction to an iodine-based contrast material is not an allergy to iodine. In fact, there is no such thing as an allergy to iodine since iodine is an essential element for the human body to live. This is why table salt is enriched with iodine. A person can therefore react to contrast products or to iodine-based disinfectants (rarely both), but it is not the iodine itself that causes the allergy, it is the other molecules in the product that are attached to the iodine that are at fault

We look forward to hearing from you, Sarah-Yan Chagnon, pharmacist