Iodine taste in the mouth: causes in women, during pregnancy, in an adult, a child

In a normal state, there are no unnecessary flavors in the mouth that are not associated with the consumed food. An unpleasant odor in the oral cavity in medicine is called halitosis. Iodine taste in the mouth occurs after eating too much food or medicinal preparations containing the element, and can signal the occurrence in the body of harmful processes. Sometimes, without the help of a specialist, it is impossible to determine the cause of the problem. Do not wait for complications - find out the cause of the symptom, take urgent measures to eliminate it.

Considering possible causes

In adults

Iodine for humans is a useful microelement with multifaceted significance. The danger is iodism - a pathology indicating an overabundance of an element in the body. The thyroid gland is responsible for the production of iodine, the element influences the process of human growth and development, the work of the brain, and is involved in metabolism.

The daily allowance for an adult is in the range of up to 150 mcg of iodine. Consumption in excess of the norm is a threat to humans. Moreover, both an excess and a deficiency of an element in the body are harmful. The appearance of an iodine taste signals problems in the body, improper functioning of internal organs (thyroid gland, gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys).

Possible causes of iodine taste in the mouth can be described as follows:

1. Stay in the zone with unfavorable environmental situation. Iodine tends to accumulate in the body, which in the case of its long-term intake into the body, even in small doses, leads to chronic intoxication.
2. Possible industrial intoxication with iodine. The safe norm of a trace element in the workplace is up to 1 mg / m³.
3. Allergic reaction to iodine (iodism). Perhaps its sudden manifestation when the daily intake is exceeded or as a result of taking medications containing iodine.
4. Thyroid pathology, expressed in its excessive functioning (hyperthyroidism). Iodine aftertaste in this case is actively expressed in the morning.
5. Hormonal disbalance in organism. It can arise either as a result of the use of hormonal drugs, or during the period of gestation in women.
6. The emergence of pathologies associated with gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, liver. A pungent iodine aftertaste can be associated with the rotting of poorly digested food.
7. Impaired functioning reproductive system of the body.
8. Stressful situations, serious emotional distress, insomnia lead to the appearance of an imaginary taste in the mouth. A long-term condition of nervousness results in an unpleasant odor in the mouth, and there is no real symptom.
9. Damage to the tooth surface accompanied by a peculiar iodine aftertaste. This is due to oxidation of the damaged area of ​​the tooth or decay of food debris. This pathogenic flora results in pungent odors and unpleasant tastes.
10. Hormonal contraceptive drugs. May cause iodine taste in women. Such drugs can seriously change the hormonal background in the body and lead to endocrine system disorders. You must refuse to take the drug and visit a specialist.
11. Excessive consumption of foods containing iodine (fish, seafood). In this case, the aftertaste does not indicate danger. Within a short period, the body itself will remove the excess of the element.

In children

The emergence of the taste of iodine in the mouth of a child is associated with iodism. The main reason is the baby's diet. A weakened child's body can react to eating cranberries or white bread, and in this case, you should not worry. However, an iodine taste in a child can serve as a signal of serious problems - pathologies of the thyroid gland, liver or gastrointestinal tract.

The peculiarity is that both the excess and the lack of iodine have a stronger effect on the child's body than the adult's. At the same time, the permissible daily intake of iodine for a child's body is less (up to 90 μg - for children under 6 years old, up to 120 μg - from 6 to 12 years old) than for an adult. For the occurrence of iodism in a child, the daily norm of an element must be exceeded by 4-5 times, while the substance must be delivered at one time or in a short period of time.

If the baby's mouth smells of iodine, you should immediately seek the advice of a specialist. In infants, the symptom may be associated with a boat trip or be the result of a serious dysfunction of the thyroid gland.

The sharp smell of iodine from the baby's mouth is accompanied by severe pain or burning in the throat, indigestion, weakness and dizziness, dry mouth, and a feeling of bitterness. Darkening of the mucous membrane in the mouth is another sign. Intoxication of the baby also occurs when the dose of the received iodine does not correspond to the weight of the child.

If the baby accidentally takes iodine in its dosage form, the consequences are unpredictable. In addition to a sharp, specific smell from the mouth, the following symptoms are observed:

• intoxication;
• damage to the mucous membrane and stomach by burns;
• disruption of the kidneys.

If iodine enters the gastric cavity, a lethal outcome is possible. It is vital for the child to urgently rinse the stomach, take a sorbent. If this is not done quickly and efficiently, complications are possible: visual impairment, malfunction of the central nervous system, deviations from the normal functioning of the liver and kidneys.

During pregnancy

Tastes in a woman during pregnancy is a completely normal symptom associated with the formation of a new life in a woman's body.

As soon as conception occurs, the hormonal background of the pregnant woman begins to change greatly, which can be expressed in the appearance of various taste tastes and odors in the oral cavity. They do not pose a danger to the woman's body, but only indicate pregnancy. Feelings will pass with the birth of the baby. To avoid the taste of iodine in the throat during pregnancy, you should, if possible, avoid eating foods containing this trace element.

Associated symptoms

If the taste is caused by abnormalities, other signs are observed. Allergic reaction to a trace element (iodism):

• in the morning, before a meal, an iodine aftertaste is observed;
• dynamic change in body temperature;
• the appearance of a bluish tint on the mucous membrane;
• a metallic taste after consuming liquids;
• body muscle spasms;
• the appearance of swelling of the glands in the mouth;
• decreased vision;
• nausea and gag reflex;
• increased heart rate;
• the appearance of rashes and spots on the skin;
• inflammatory processes of the mucous membranes;
• an increase in the amount of saliva produced;
• swelling of the nasal glands;
• hoarseness;
• acne rash on the face;
• involuntary discharge of tears;
• cough;
• lethargy, weakness;
• upset stool.

Excessive thyroid activity:

• increased heart rate;
• malfunction of the nervous system, irritability;
• frequent mood swings;
• sleep disturbance;
• the formation of a tubercle on the neck in the thyroid gland;
• high blood pressure;
• decreased potency in men;
• disorder of the menstrual cycle;
• increase in body weight.

Pathologies of the digestive tract, kidneys and liver:

• nausea turning into vomiting;
• diarrhea accompanied by stool disturbance;
• burning sensation in the mouth;
• severe pain in the ribs;
• bloody inclusions in feces, urine.

Diseases of the teeth:

• acute toothache;
• painful sensations when using hot or cold;
• rotting in the gum area.

Which doctor to contact, diagnosis

If a taste of iodine appears in the mouth, the examination will help to understand what it is. Particular attention must be paid to a symptom if it manifests itself periodically, lasts a long time. In this case, you cannot do without the help of a specialist; he will carry out diagnostics in order to determine the cause of the symptom. It is most advisable to seek advice from an endocrinologist, but you can also visit a therapist. In any case, the doctor will refer you to another specialist if necessary. The following procedures are mandatory:

• collection of data on the development of the disease;
• study of the conditions of the patient's professional activity;
• clarification of the history of illnesses experienced by the patient;
• clarification of the living conditions of the patient;
• examination of the patient's skin and mucous membranes;
• detailed clinical blood test;
• Analysis of urine;
• hormonal blood test;
• AES-ICP helps to determine the iodine content in the nail;
• spectrometry allows you to establish the content of a trace element by determining the wavelength;
• with the help of ultrasound, diseases of the internal organs are determined;
• to obtain a visual display of tissues and organs, magnetic tomography is used, which makes it easy to detect the disease.

How to get rid of the smell, taste of iodine

Depending on why iodine tastes in the mouth, eliminate the symptom using the following methods:

1. If the root cause is an allergic reaction, gastric lavage with starch is performed. The function of starch is to pull the substance and remove it from the body. Next, you need to drink an antihistamine drug, be at rest.
2. In case of pathology of the thyroid gland, the treatment is carried out by a specialist, it largely depends on the condition of the patient's body, and especially the thyroid gland.
3. If the violation is caused by taking hormonal drugs, you must refuse to take them.
4. If you have imaginary tastes, consult a psychologist.
5. Reduce your intake of seafood and other trace minerals to a minimum.
6. If the symptom is associated with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, consultation with a gastroenterologist is necessary, strict implementation of the treatment and diet prescribed by him.

Remember that a healthy body assimilates the required amount of a trace element, and removes the excess easily. Excessive odors and tastes in the oral cavity are a sign of a health disorder, it is necessary to correctly determine the cause of the symptom and eliminate it.

Medicines cannot be determined and taken on their own, as complications are possible. All drugs are prescribed individually by the attending physician in accordance with the diagnosis. The recommendations issued by a specialist must be strictly followed.

When choosing folk remedies, you also cannot do without consulting your doctor, since it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the body and contraindications. From folk remedies, decoctions and tinctures of zyuznik and Potentilla white, as well as elecampane, chamomile, knotweed are actively used. These herbs contribute to the elimination of the trace element from the body and stimulate the normalization of the thyroid gland. Several recipes:

1. Potentilla tincture Wash thoroughly and finely chop the Potentilla roots. Dilute the resulting mass in alcohol in a ratio of 1:10, keep for a month without access to light. Drink 20 drops per 2 tbsp. tablespoons of water a quarter of an hour before eating. Frequency: 1 month, break, repetition of the cycle.
2. Devyasilov infusion. Prepare the tool like this: pour 20 g of dry grass with a glass of boiling water, leave for an hour and pass through cheesecloth. Consume 1 tbsp. spoon 4 times a day.
3. Chamomile infusion. 2 tbsp. spoons of chamomile flowers are dipped in a half-liter jar with boiling water. Leave for an hour, then pass through cheesecloth. Accepted in 100-150 ml. Instead of tea 1-2 times a day.
4. Knotweed tincture. 2 tbsp. tablespoons of herbs are placed in a half-liter jar with boiling water, insist for 1 hour. Then it is passed through cheesecloth and consumed 200-250 ml three times a day.

Traditional methods can only be an addition to the main treatment.