Frequently asked questions about BETADINE® products, their uses and benefits
Wound care
BETADINE® antiseptic products have a range of antiseptic formats for your different needs.
The main reason for using antiseptics is to help prevent infection.
BETADINE® antiseptic cream and spray use a povidone-iodine solution to kill the germs and help prevent infections from minor cuts and scrapes.
The active ingredient in BETADINE® antiseptic products, povidone-iodine, is naturally a golden brown colour. It will not stain your skin, fingernails or hair, although you can see where it’s been applied on the skin.
If you accidentally get BETADINE® on natural fibres it can usually be easily washed off with water and soap. For man-made fibres, BETADINE® antiseptic products can usually be washed off with the help of a stain remover.
CAUTION: Immediately remove spills from plastic floors.
BETADINE® First Aid should not be used on deep puncture wounds, animal bites, serious burns or over large areas of the body. If irritation develops, stop using BETADINE® First Aid. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have an allergy to any ingredients, or any type of thyroid disorder do not use BETADINE® First Aid. BETADINE® First Aid should not be used on children under the age of 2.
Water only removes physical debris lodged in flesh, unlike an antiseptic like a BETADINE® First Aid product that kills surface germs and helps prevent infection.
Sore Throat
More than 80% of sore throats are caused by viruses. Bacteria are the next most common type of germs that cause sore throats.
These viruses and bacteria can be passed on via direct contact (e.g., touching an object that has the virus on it), airborne transmission (e.g., when someone coughs or sneezes) and close personal contact (e.g., kissing).
A sore throat can be caused by different types of germs. Therefore, it is good to use a preparation that targets different types and classes of germs.
Viruses are tiny particles that rely on human or animal cells for their survival, so they cannot last very long outside the body. They cause illnesses by invading healthy cells and multiplying.
Bacteria are single cell organisms usually found in and on our bodies. Some bacteria are harmless – and can even be good for us – and some cause infections.b
Salt-water gargle is considered a home remedy that contains salt only. But salt water has no effect on viruses, the main cause of sore throats.
BETADINE® Sore Throat Gargle can actually help treat the viral, bacterial and fungal infections of the mouth or throat. With a 30-second gargle, BETADINE® helps treat infections that can cause sore throats. Individual response varies*.
* For further information, please check with your doctor or pharmacist.
ow can you reduce the risk of getting throat infections?
Since most sore throats are caused by germs, there are steps that you can take to prevent getting an infection:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap.
- Practice proper hand-and-throat hygiene.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, as germs can enter your body this way and make you sick.
- Try to keep some distance from those who are ill, as germs can spread.
No, BETADINE® Sore Throat Gargle and BETADINE® Sore Throat Spray do not stain the teeth. The natural brown colour is due to povidone-iodine, the active ingredient of BETADINE® Sore Throat Gargle and BETADINE® Sore Throat Spray. The product, unlike iodine, is generally non-staining.
BETADINE® Sore Throat Gargle and BETADINE® Sore Throat Spray preparations do not stain the skin, fingernails, hair, or natural fibre either. If you accidentally get BETADINE® Sore Throat Gargle or BETADINE® Sore Throat Spray on natural fibres, it can usually be easily washed off with water and soap. For man-made fibres, BETADINE® Sore Throat Gargle and BETADINE® Sore Throat Spray can usually be washed off with the help of a stain remover.
CAUTION: Immediately remove spills from plastic floors. Dentures or braces can sometimes become discoloured. It is recommended to remove dentures and braces, if removable, from the mouth before use. Avoid contact with jewellery, especially silver containing articles.
The active ingredient in BETADINE® Sore Throat Gargle and BETADINE® Sore Throat Spray, povidone-iodine, is naturally a golden-brown colour.
A small amount may be swallowed during gargling. If accidentally swallowed in large amounts, consult your doctor immediately.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have an allergy to iodine, or any type of thyroid disorder.
Colds
The flu (Influenza) and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses caused by viruses. Influenza is a specific type of infection caused by specific viruses, generally the Influenza A or Influenza B viruses. The common cold can be caused by hundreds of different types of viruses. The main difference is that influenza tends to cause more systemic symptoms.
| Flu symptoms include: | Common cold symptoms include: |
| Fever over 100.4 F | Runny and/or stuffy nose |
| Aching muscles, especially in your back, arms and legs | Sore throat |
| Chills and sweats | Coughing |
| Headache | Sneezing |
| Dry, persistent cough | Gradual onset of symptoms |
| Fatigue and weakness | |
| Nasal congestion | |
| Sore throat | |
| Sudden onset of symptoms |
Although there is no immunization for the common cold, you can take the following steps to help prevent contracting it:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. This reduces the risk of spreading viruses and bacteria. Also wash hands after contact with an infected person or surface.
- Avoid contact with infected people. Cold viruses are often spread through close proximity so keeping a distance for the duration of the cold is ideal.
- Engage in a healthy lifestyle. Eating well, (consuming foods and drinks high in vitamins and antioxidants) exercising, getting enough sleep and avoiding stress are great ways to build your immune system to prevent infections.
- If you do feel signs of a cold brewing, use BETADINE® Cold Defence Nasal Spray to help prevent viruses from spreading and to shorten the duration of a cold.
An upper-respiratory infection (URI) is an infection that affects the upper air passages including the larynx, the nasal cavity, the nasal passages, and the pharynx.
The sources of URIs are almost always viral. Droplets of infected saliva and mucus spray out into the air when a person sneezes or coughs. Other people may breathe them in, or they can land on surfaces that others touch. Symptoms can include:
- Coughing
- Discomfort in the nasal passages
- Mild fever
- Excess mucus
- Nasal congestion
- Pain or pressure behind the face
- A runny nose
- A sore throat
- Sneezing
BETADINE® Cold Defence Nasal Spray is an innovative treatment for early intervention and treatment of the common cold.
BETADINE® Cold Defence works by trapping and disabling viruses which then get eliminated naturally, thereby having symptom relief effects. Our studies have examined all common cold symptoms and have demonstrated that BETADINE® Cold Defence Nasal Spray can reduce the total cold symptoms such as runny nose and nasal congestion when used as an early intervention common cold treatment.
There is no recommended duration of use for BETADINE® Cold Defence Nasal Spray. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult your healthcare practitioner.
It’s important to remember that there are three different types of carrageenan: iota, kappa and lambda. BETADINE® Cold Defence Nasal Spray contains only one type of carrageenan, which is the iota carrageenan. Studies have shown that iota carrageenan is safe to use through intranasal application and is clinically proven to have an antiviral effect.
The concentration of iota-carrageenan contained in BETADINE® Cold Defence is 1.2 mg/ml. This concentration is safe in children and adults >4. For children ages 1-4, consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use.
The recommended dosage for BETADINE® Cold Defence Nasal Spray is 1 spray into each nostril 3 times per day.