Question of about indweling foley catheter procedure

SleeepyRN · Dec 28, 2012

You can't have a true allergy to iodine. You can have a sensitivity/intolerance to certain formulations that contain iodine for various reasons, but not a true allergy to iodine itself.

Dont we still include it in the allergy list? I honestly don't know. I'm a new nurse

MunoRN, RN · Dec 28, 2012

Anything more official than a link to Livestrong? And really, aren't we just splitting hairs? If they're allergic to povidone iodine and all iodine agents, doesn't it kind of come down to the same thing?

The website here is Livestrong, the source though is a member of the Association of Allergists and Immunologists.

Really, a biology or pathophysiology text has enough evidence to show that an iodine allergy is not possible. Iodine cannot be avoided, it's numerous everyday things we consume, salt for instance. If you were to successfully rid your body of all iodine and not take in any iodine, you would die almost immediately. Also, allergic reactions are triggered when allergens bind to receptors, usually IgE receptors on mast cells, something iodine is simply not capable of given it's structure (this is why you can't be allergic to other elements as well such as sodium, potassium, and calcium).

The difference between an allergy and an intolerance or other non-allergy is huge. Allergic reactions can be fatal. Many "intolerances" do not in any way preclude use of a drug if it's needed. I've seen patient's list lasix as an allergy because it caused "excessive urination". I've seen patients list atropine as an allergy because it caused "tachycardia". Knowing what is a true allergy and not a true allergy for a patient can be the difference between life and death.

You can't be allergic to "all iodine agents". That's sort like saying because someone is allergic to peanuts that they are allergic to everything with salt on it. They're allergic to the peanuts, not the salt. This is where so many patients came up with the idea they are allergic to iodine, it was once thought (about 60 years ago) that an allergy to shellfish was due to the high levels of iodine in all sea life, when really it turned out it's due to various types of proteins, we now know that a shellfish or seafood allergy does not mean an iodine allergy.

MomRN0913 · Dec 28, 2012

I had a long time foley patient in home are who had an allergy to iodine listed. Well, I just did his foley one day and later in the day realized I used the providone/ iodine swabs in the kit. I freaked out and called the other nurses who have inserted his foley and they all have done the same thing. I was told an iodine allergy would not have a reaction to those swabs because you can't have a true allergy to it and the level is low.He was fine. Although his allergy seemed to lie more with latex foley's so we used silicone

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Dec 28, 2012

Allergy, sensitivity or whatever you want to call it I have a severe reaction when idodine is topically placed on me. My skin bubbles up in huge blisters and causes a red, angry rash in the area that the iodine was placed as well as my skin feels like its literally on fire. The first time it happened is when I was getting stitches in my finger. The ER doc and the nurse were amazed that I had such a reaction to the iodine, both had decades of years in the ER and had never seen anything like it.

I was advised to always list iodine as an allergy when asked and I do. I also make sure to put on PPE when i have to use an iodine based product on a patient. The last thing I want to happen is have it splash on my face or in my eyes, mouth or nose. :)

MunoRN, RN · Dec 28, 2012

Allergy, sensitivity or whatever you want to call it I have a severe reaction when idodine is topically placed on me. My skin bubbles up in huge blisters and causes a red, angry rash in the area that the iodine was placed as well as my skin feels like its literally on fire. The first time it happened is when I was getting stitches in my finger. The ER doc and the nurse were amazed that I had such a reaction to the iodine, both had decades of years in the ER and had never seen anything like it.
I was advised to always list iodine as an allergy when asked and I do. I also make sure to put on PPE when i have to use an iodine based product on a patient. The last thing I want to happen is have it splash on my face or in my eyes, mouth or nose. :)

The irritant contact reaction you describe (not a systemic allergic response) is to Povidone, not iodine.

canned_bread · Dec 30, 2012

We use Aqueous Chlorhexidine 0.1% for cleaning the pubic area, sterile water for inflating balloon.

LisaDiMercurio · Feb 11, 2013

what size foley catheter is an appropriate size for a 14 yr. old male

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 11, 2013

Umm, I have never seen the pubic area cleaned for Foley insertion. Periurethrolady partsl (or penile), but never pubic.