 and water. This is specifically made because application of elemental iodine directly on the skin would cause burns. But since iodine can be used to remove harmful pathogens from skin or wounds, tincture of iodine, which has a diluted concentration of iodine, is manufactured. Potassium iodate is used for better dissolution of iodine in the solution. Ethanol is used for better evaporation. When applied on the skin, iodine tincture will quickly evaporate, leaving iodine on the skin, so cleaning is quick. The term Iodine solution generally refers to iodine tincture. This is used as a disinfectant in sanitation as well.
What is the difference between Iodine and Iodine Tincture?
Iodine vs Iodine Tincture
|Iodine is an element.||Iodine tincture is a solution.|
|Iodine is not linked to any other element.||Iodine tincture contains potassium iodate, ethanol, and water along with elemental iodine.|
|Iodine is a dark brown colored solid.||Iodine tincture is a light brown colored solution.|
|Iodine is extremely toxic||Iodine tincture it is toxic if a considerable amount is taken into the body.|
|Application on Skin|
|Iodine cannot be applied on the skin directly because it can burn the skin.||Iodine tincture can be applied directly on the skin.|
|Iodine has many commercial uses; for example; production of iodide salts which are used as disinfectants.||Iodine tincture is used for sanitization purposes.|
Summary – Iodine vs Iodine Tincture
Both iodine and iodine tincture have disinfectant properties. But iodine is toxic and can be used only on objects if it is used for disinfectant purposes. But unlike iodine, iodine tincture has mild properties, so it can be applied on skin for cleaning wounds. But iodine tincture should be used only on external injuries. The key difference between iodine and iodine tincture is that Iodine is an element which is not linked to any other element or compound whereas Iodine tincture is a solution of Iodine in alcohol.
1. Eps, J. V., 2009-2016. iodine-resource. [Online] Available at: http://www.iodine-resource.com/about-me.html
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2. Anon., 2016. Royal society of Chemistry. [Online] Available at: http://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/53/iodine
[Accessed 26 05 2017].
1. “Iodine-sample”By Benjah-bmm27 – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia