Is using iodine on a diabetic ulcers safe?

It can be.....: ...As long as too much is not used. The way the wound responds tells you how to proceed.

Talk to your doctor: [povidone] iodine can be toxic to cells, but it does have application in more superficial wounds and along the edge of the wounds. This should be used under the supervision of your treating physician.

Iodine: Yes, there are forms of iodine dressings that are safe to use as one of an armamentarium in treating a diabetic foot ulcer. All foot ulcers should be seen by a health care professional as the consequences of a self-treatment failure can be muscle, tendon or bone infection; amputation; hospitalization; or sepsis and death. Do treat this condition by yourself!

Sometimes. : Iodine (or betadine) is a great cleanser for skin, decreasing the bacterial and fungal presence, and drying out wet or draining skin or ulcers. That said, it's not recommended for everyone, including patients with very dry ulcers, or people with allergies to the substance.

For brief periods: After adequate surgical debridement and gross contamination, betadine dressing may help to clean the wound. I generally recommend that this be limited to 3 days. Ongoing use may harm the healthy healing tissue as well and actually delay healing.

Cadexomer iodine: Cadexomer iodine (mixed with a starch), seem to work well to reduce colonization and infection, but professional wound care advice, and regular surgical cleaning by a helath care professional have by far been shown to be the most effective treatment.

Slows healing: With the exception of cadexomer iodine (iodoflex) all other forms of iodine and betadine (povidone-iodine) solutions should be kept out of wounds as it is toxic to healing tissue. Cadexomer iodine is one of many possible options for treating diabetic ulcers.

Diabetic ulcers: While using iodine on an open wound may kill superficial bacteria, it is also been shown to decrease the healing potential of the ulceration. The use of iodine on an ulceration should be used only and cleaning her preparing the wound and should not be used constantly. There are many other medications that can be used topically and a wound care specialist can help decide which is best.