Iodine and chlorine belong to a group of a handful of elements that need one more electron to complete their outer orbit/shell.

And since completing that shell is one of every element's goals in life, the halogens do it pretty aggressively, causing reactions wherever they go.

That's why they're both used to kill yuckies in drinking water. (By the way, don't use the povidone-iodine combination for that - check your local hiking/camping/outdoors store for the right stuff.)

Iodine by itself, disolved in alcohol, is known as tincture of iodine. It's used as an antiseptic on skin, too, but I read once a long time ago that a doctor who specializes in outdoors medicine found this combination with povidone to be either more effective or less harsh or something.

And if that's not enough of a glowing recommendation ;-) you'll see povidone-iodine just about every time a doctor for people or animals does surgery.

So mostly it's used to prepare an area for digging into, including wounds. Which is when I use it, on dog bites both on myself and on other dogs.

Iodine is also antibiotic against some infections. It's best to leave it to a doctor for picking antibiotics, though.

That world has become very complex, with some yuckies responding to some kinds and other yuckies responding to other kinds, and some infections no longer responding to much of anything at all.

One other caution - the stain from the iodine can hide the redness of an infection.

If you're not sure whether an infection is under control, you'll be watching for that redness to spread. And it may be hard to notice if you use iodine repeatedly.

Don't buy this chemical under a brand name (Betadine) if you can get the generic stuff cheaper at a drug store or supermarket.

Pros: Great surface antiseptic, some antibiotic property

Cons: Stains

I put this in my kids bath water during the summer to help keep bug bites from getting infected. I also put it in about 6 in of water in the tub when my neo gets her bath. She gets sores on her feet and this keeps infection away

Pros: easy to use, great for sores

Cons: stains if put on at full strength

this works on people as well as dog altough putting this on a cat is very dangrousif you know what i mean

Pros: JUST AS GOOD AS BETADINE,cheaper

Cons: no cons at all.

This stuff will definetly kill the germs and aid in healing. A must.

Pros: Will kill germs

Cons: Burns

This is great for cleaning cuts and bites on people or animals. A definite must for first aid kits.

Pros: inexpensive

Cons: none