[Iodine allergy--adverse reactions to contrast media]

Essential of iodine allergy is not well-known in clinical practice and it might be combined with the adverse reactions of intravascular contrast media which contain iodine. Definition of iodine allergy should be cleared up because serum also contains iodine. One should make a difference between iodine allergy and adverse reactions of contrast media. Physiological role and occurrence of iodine in the organism was reviewed, moreover, allergic reactions caused by iodine-containing chemicals (iodine and tropomyosine allergy). The contrast medium types and their immediate and late reactions were considered together with the mechanism. According to the published data and author's own experience the iodine allergy should be considered as an iodine-protein complex allergy. The cause of adverse reactions of contrast media is the whole molecule and not the iodine content of it. No cross reaction can be observed between iodine and contrast media. Iodine allergy and contrast media reactions are entirely different phenomenons. It was referred to prevention and therapy, as well.