Iodine Pure: The Elemental Solution for Health

Clinical Applications of Elemental Iodine in Wart and Fungal Nail Management

By Dr. Evan Lewis

Clinical Primer

Plantar warts, fungal infections, and superficial bacterial colonization are increasingly common challenges in foot care. These conditions are typically complicated by delayed recognition, over-the-counter treatment failures, and recurring infections in high-risk populations, including children, athletes and individuals with diabetes. Plantar warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) and onychomycosis caused by a fungal infection of the nail represent particularly challenging indications.

Current clinical treatment options for warts and onychomycosis have varying effectiveness and are poorly tolerated, leading to reduced treatment adherence and prolonged patient discomfort. As a result, there is a clear clinical need for a gentle, broad-spectrum therapy that can be used consistently in clinic or home care to improve recovery.

Elemental iodine (I₂) has a long history of use in tinctures for disinfection. Recent advancements in manufacturing technology by Iodine Pure has allowed for this therapeutic element to re-emerge in a proprietary water-based antiseptic agent with broad-spectrum antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral activity. This delivery method poses minimal risk of irritation or side effects (Bigliardi et al., 2017; Gottardi, 1999). This creates a new adjunct or standalone therapy in the foot care setting, particularly where infection prevention, wart resolution, or skin decontamination is needed.

Mechanism of Action of Pure Iodine

Elemental iodine acts through non-specific oxidative damage that disrupts the structural and functional integrity of microbial, fungal and viral targets. Even at low concentrations (200-300ppm), Iodine Pure penetrates the outer skin layers and causes denaturation of proteins, oxidation of sulfhydryl groups, and fragmentation of nucleic acids.

In the context of warts, iodine interferes with both viral particles and infected keratinocytes. It inactivates the virus by:

• Oxidizing viral proteins

• Damaging viral DNA and inhibiting replication.

• Inducing local cytotoxicity in infected epidermal cells, which helps resolve wart tissue over time (Kawana et al., 1997; Gottardi, 1999).

In the context of fungal or bacterial exposure, iodine exhibits local antimicrobial action and protects skin from colonization. Its broad-spectrum efficacy can be effective against established:

• Dermatophytes T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes

• Fungi such as Candida albicans

• Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Kwana et al., 1997)

It is important to note that unlike many targeted antimicrobials or antibiotics, iodine’s oxidative mechanism does not induce resistance in microbial populations, and its activity remains effective even in the presence of organic material such as sweat or sloughed skin (Bigliardi et al., 2017).

 

Pure Iodine for Management of Onychomycosis

Quick Facts:

Cause: Onychomycosis is caused by a variety of fungi, most commonly 

dermatophytes (e.g., Trichophyton rubrum), but also yeasts (e.g., Candida albicans).

Transmission: Fungal spores are spread by direct contact with contaminated surfaces (e.g., communal showers, nail salons, footwear) or from skin infections like athlete’s foot that spread to the nail.

Establishment:
Fungi invade the nail through microtrauma, moisture-softened skin, or nail damage. Once established, the infection thrives in the warm, enclosed environment of shoes.

Onychomycosis is a chronic fungal infection of the toenails or fingernails, primarily caused by dermatophytes (e.g., T. rubrum), with increasing incidence of non-dermatophyte molds and yeasts such as Candida albicans. Clinically, it presents as nail thickening, discoloration, subungual debris, and separation of the nail plate. Onychomycosis is more prevalent among older adults, diabetics, immunocompromised individuals, and those with poor peripheral circulation. The condition affects up to 14% of the general population (Elewski, 1998) and 26% of individuals with diabetes (Romano et al. 1999). 

Treatment of onychomycosis is notoriously difficult due to:

• The dense nail barrier limiting drug penetration.

• Long life cycle of fungal organisms requiring extended therapy (often 6–12 months).

• High relapse and reinfection rates, especially when fungal spores persist on surrounding skin or footwear.

Current pharmaceutical treatments include oral antifungals (e.g., terbinafine, itraconazole) and topical lacquers (e.g., ciclopirox, efinaconazole), which may be limited by liver toxicity, cost, low patient adherence, or insufficient efficacy.

Iodine Pure as a Therapy for Onychomycosis

Elemental iodine in water at concentrations as low as 200 ppm (0.02%) as found in Iodine Pure may serve as an effective topical antifungal agent for onychomycosis. Iodine has long-standing recognition as a broad-spectrum antifungal with high tissue penetrability and no documented resistance, making it the leading agent for nail infection management.

Iodine Pure combats onychomycosis through a multi-targeted antifungal mechanism that addresses both the structure and metabolism of fungal pathogens. Upon topical application, it penetrates the subungual and periungual tissues, allowing it to reach the fungal colonies beneath and around the nail plate. Its primary mechanism of action involves disrupting the integrity of fungal cell walls and membranes, which leads to immediate and irreversible cell death. Additionally, iodine oxidizes key fungal proteins and enzymes, interfering with cellular function and inhibiting the fungi’s ability to reproduce. This dual action not only reduces the active fungal load but also helps prevent recurrence by targeting residual spores (Gottardi, 1999; Edwards-Jones, 2006). Due to its broad-spectrum activity, Iodine Pure is a versatile treatment option for various presentations of onychomycosis.

Comparison of Clinical Onychomycosis Treatments 

 

Clinical Take-Home Points: Iodine Pure for Onychomycosis

1. Broad-Spectrum Antifungal with Low Resistance Risk
   Iodine Pure effectively targets dermatophytes, yeasts (Candida), and molds by oxidizing essential cellular components, with no known resistance, making it ideal for long-term fungal management.

2. Topical Use Is Safe, Accessible, and Low Cost
   Iodine Pure can be applied once or twice daily to nails and surrounding skin, offering an essential to pharmaceutical therapy.

3. Ideal for Early, Mild, or Adjunctive Therapy
   iodine Pure is particularly useful in early-stage infections, recurrent cases, or as a preventive measure, especially in elderly, diabetic, or high-risk patients.

 

Pure Iodine for Prevention and Management of Warts

Quick Facts

Cause: All warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) family of viruses. 

Transmission: HPV is spread by direct contact with contaminated surfaces (e.g. locker room floor, pools).

Establishment: The virus enters through broken or softened skin, such as cuts, scrapes, or areas softened by moisture (e.g., feet).

Iodine Pure as a Therapy for Warts

Iodine is a strong oxidizing agent that inactivates viruses by denaturing proteins, damaging lipid membranes, and oxidizing nucleic acids. When applied topically to warts, especially plantar warts, iodine can penetrate superficial layers of the skin and inactivate the virus by altering structural proteins and damaging viral DNA, thereby hindering replication and promoting local viral clearance (Gottardi, 1999; Bigliardi et al., 2017). Additionally, iodine causes non-specific cytotoxic effects on infected keratinocytes, aiding in the breakdown of the hyperkeratotic wart tissue. Beyond its direct virucidal action, iodine may also stimulate a localized immune response by causing mild inflammation, which can boost the immune system’s ability to identify and eliminate virally infected cells (Darmstadt et al., 2008). Unlike other antiseptics, iodine remains effective in the presence of organic material and has a broad antimicrobial spectrum, including activity against both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, with no recorded resistance (Bigliardi et al., 2017; Kawana et al., 1997). Using Sole Shield pure iodine topical spray provides clinically effective antiviral support without irritation and side effects common amongst clinical therapies.

Iodine Pure for Prevention of Warts

Elemental iodine is a fast-acting, broad-spectrum virucidal agent that oxidizes viral proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, rendering the virus non-infectious upon contact (Bigliardi et al., 2017; Kawana et al., 1997). Because HPV typically enters the body through microscopic abrasions in the skin, topical application of Sole Shield to areas at risk (e.g. hands, feet) can prevent the establishment of for viral entry by chemically disrupting virus particles and reducing local viral load. 

Studies show that iodine retains activity in the presence of organic matter, making it effective even on skin contaminated with sweat or debris (Gottardi, 1999). Additionally, iodine's antimicrobial activity may help prevent bacterial superinfection of minor skin injuries, thereby preserving the integrity of the epidermal barrier and reducing opportunities for HPV to establish infection (Bigliardi et al., 2017). While no clinical trials have directly evaluated iodine as a wart prophylactic, its well-documented virucidal activity against both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, including HPV surrogates, supports its use as a preventive therapy when applied consistently in high-risk settings. 

Comparison of Clinical Wart Treatments

Clinical Take-Home Points for Pure Iodine Use in Wart Care

1. Iodine is a Broad-Spectrum Topical Antiviral  
   Iodine Pure provides virucidal activity through oxidative damage to viral proteins and DNA, supporting its use in treating warts.

2. Therapeutic with Lower Irritation Risk
   Iodine Pure offers gentler daily use without skin irritation or staining compared to current clinical treatment options.

3. Daily Application May Aid Wart Clearance and Support Barrier Restoration
   Consistent application of iodine can lead to wart resolution over 6–12 weeks, potentially by killing infected keratinocytes and reducing local microbial burden.

4. Prophylactic Use on High-Risk Areas
   Applying Iodine Pure to hands or feet can inactivate HPV on contact and reduce infection risk, especially in patients prone to recurrence or with occupational exposure.

Clinical Summary

Iodine Pure represents a clinically promising, well-tolerated, and accessible solution for the management and prevention of common foot and nail conditions, including warts and onychomycosis. The broad-spectrum antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral activity of Iodine Pure, coupled with a low risk of resistance, irritation, or systemic side effects, positions it as an essential clinical therapy to improve patient outcomes. The novel manufacturing process allows Iodine Pure to penetrate skin and nail structures, eliminate pathogens, and reduce the microbial burden, makes it especially well-suited for daily use in both clinical and home settings. As treatment-resistant fungal infections and recurrent warts continue to challenge foot care professionals, Iodine Pure provides an accessible, evidence-based therapy to improve patient outcomes and reduce recurrence through consistent, preventive care.

 

References

Bigliardi, P. L., Alsagoff, S. A. L., El-Kafrawi, H. Y., Pyon, J. K., Wa, C. T. C., & Villa, M. A. (2017). Povidone iodine in wound healing: A review of current concepts and practices. International Journal of Surgery, 44, 260–268.

Darmstadt, G. L., Saha, S. K., Ahmed, A. S. M. N. U., et al. (2008). Effect of topical treatment with skin barrier-enhancing emollients and/or iodine on infection, growth and development in preterm neonates: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 27(6), 505–512.

Edwards-Jones, V. (2006). The benefits of the use of povidone-iodine in modern clinical practice. Journal of Wound Care, 15(7), 319-325. 

Elewski, B. E. (1998). Onychomycosis: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 11(3), 415–429.

Gottardi, W. (1999). Iodine and disinfection: theoretical study on mode of action, efficiency, stability, and analytical aspects in the aqueous system. Archives of Pharmacal Research, 22(3), 263–269. 

Kawana, R., Kitamura, T., Nakagomi, O., et al. (1997). Inactivation of human viruses by povidone-iodine in comparison with other antiseptics. Dermatology, 195(Suppl. 2), 29–35. 

Romano, C., & Massai, L. (1999). Prevalence of dermatophytic and candidal onychomycosis in diabetic patients. Mycoses, 42(1–2), 41–43.