Arsenicum Iodatum: homeopathic Medicine – Its Use, Indications And Dosage

The remedy Arsenicum Iodatum is derived from iodide of arsenic. To prepare this medicine, iodide of arsenic undergoes potentization . It is a process of preparing homeopathic medicines by arousing the medicinal properties of a crude substance. This process converts the iodide of arsenic into a very important homeopathic medicine Arsenicum Iodatum. This medicine is highly recommended to treat cases of nasal allergy (allergic rhinitis) and psoriasis (skin condition with inflammatory patches covered with silvery-white scales).

The ‘Arsenicum Iodatum’ Constitution

This medicine is mainly recommended for those having allergies mainly allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and asthma.

Drug Action

Among the various organs, Arsenic Iodatum acts best on the nose. Its action on the nasal membranes helps manage the thin, burning, and excoriating nasal discharge. Another important action of this medicine is seen on the skin where it is of great help to manage skin inflammation and scaly eruptions. It also acts well on the lungs, throat, gastric system and breast.

Clinical Indications

Hay fever, cold, sneezing, psoriasis, ichthyosis, eczema, lichen planus, pimples, tuberculosis, pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, cough, pharyngitis, goiter, diarrhea, leucorrhoea, breast tumor.

Scope as a Homeopathic Remedy

1. Nasal Complaints (Hay Fever, Runny Nose, Cold, Sneezing)

This medicine acts on the nose to manage different issues. It is one of the major homeopathic medicines for managing cases of hay fever (also known as allergic rhinitis). Hay fever refers to an allergic condition arising from an allergic response to allergens such as dust mites and pollen resulting in symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, stuffy nose and itchy, watery and red eyes. The characteristic feature for using it in hay fever is thin watery irritating, burning nasal discharge that reddens the upper lip. The nasal membrane is sore. Those in need of it also report excessive sneezing. There is irritation or tingling in the nose with urge for constant sneezing. It’s also used in cases of long-term cold when the nasal discharge is thick, yellow and profuse. This may be sticky gluey like honey as well. There may occur post-nasal drip (dripping of mucus from back of the nose down in the throat). Burning sensation in the eyes may be present along with the above-mentioned symptoms.

 Key Indicating Features

Hay fever with thin watery irritating, burning nasal discharge causing redness of the upper lip.

Constant sneezing from irritation or tingling in the nose.

Cold with thick, yellow and profuse nasal discharge.

Burning sensation in the eyes.

2. Skin Problems (Psoriasis, Ichthyosis, Eczema, Pimples, Itching)

It addresses various skin-related issues effectively. To begin with, it has shown great clinical results in treating issues pertaining to dry scaly skin conditions. First among these is psoriasis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder in which one can see inflammatory patches on the skin covered with itchy, silvery-white scales. The main indication to use this medicine in psoriasis is dry, itchy and scaly skin when large scales fall off from the affected spots on the skin. It leaves raw surface underneath. Secondly, scaly skin condition where Arsenicum Iodatum seems to work well is ichthyosis. Ichthyosis also known as fish scale disease is an inherited skin condition characterized by rough, dry, scaly skin from the accumulation of dead skin cells on the skin surface in the form of thick dry scales. Other than scaly skin conditions, its role to manage eczema is noteworthy. Its use is recommended specifically for eczema under the beard. Those who need it may have watery oozing under the beard. It is accompanied by itching. Upon washing, the complaint of eczema under the beard gets worse. It also proves effective in cases of acne (pimples).

Here it works well when pimples are hard at the base with pus at the top. It can offer relief from itching on various body parts especially the back. Another important skin complaint where it proves beneficial is lichen planus (an inflammatory skin condition of auto-immune origin characterized by small flat-topped purple-coloured bumps on the skin). It is of great service to manage cases of venereal bubo (enlarged, swollen, tender lymph nodes in the groin area in case of sexually transmitted infections).

Key Indicating Features

Psoriasis with falling of large scales from skin

Ichthyosis

lichen planus

2. Lungs Issues (Tuberculosis, Pneumonia, Asthma, Bronchitis And Cough)

This medicine acts well on the lungs. Here it is used for managing tuberculosis, pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis and cough. It is prominently used for the management of pulmonary tuberculosis (it refers to bacterial infection caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis) means tuberculosis of the lungs. It gives supportive help to manage symptoms along with the conventional mode of treatment in these cases. It is very effective in the initial stages of tuberculosis. In these cases, its use is suggested when there is hoarse coughing and excessive expectoration of pus, profuse night sweats, weakness and weight loss. Next it is helpful in the cases of pneumonia. Pneumonia refers to infection that inflames air sacs of the lungs. In pneumonia, it is administered when there is expectoration of mucus and pus, difficulty in breathing and sweating at night. In asthma, it is useful when there is wheezing while lying down. It is also used in cases of bronchitis (inflammation of bronchial tubes that carry air to and from lungs). For cough, it works equally well for dry as well as wet cough. Coughing increases during night hours. It also worsens from exertion. When cough is wet, phlegm of mucus and pus is expectorated. In some cases, expectoration is yellow-green colored having foul odor.

Key Indicating Features

Management of tuberculosis of lungs with hoarse coughing, excessive pus expectoration, profuse night sweats, weakness and weight loss

Pneumonia with expectoration of mucus and pus, difficulty in breathing and sweating at night

Asthma with wheezing on lying down

Cough at night and from exertion

4. Throat (Inflamed Tonsils, Pharyngitis, Goiter)

Vis-a-vis throat, this medicine acts well in cases of inflamed, swollen, enlarged tonsils. It is also given in cases of follicular pharyngitis. People who need it have rawness and burning pain in the throat. In some cases, throat is dry. Sometimes there is hawking of thick mucus and clotted blood from the throat. Voice hoarseness may also be present. Lastly, it is indicated for goiter (swelling in front of the neck from enlarged thyroid gland) cases.

Key Indicating Features

Rawness and burning pain in throat

Hawking of thick mucus and clotted blood from throat

5. Gastric Problems (Pain, Diarrhoea, Splenomegaly Means Spleen Enlargement)

For gastric troubles, it is mainly administered for managing stomach pain which worsens on getting up from a sitting position and from sitting down also. Pain mainly manifests in the afternoons. There is also heartburn (burning in chest felt behind the breastbone means sternum). Its use is also suggested for abdomen pain which one is relieved after passing stool. The abdomen is hard and distended with gas. Excessive wind-breaking may happen. Its use is also recommended for diarrhea with copious watery stool. Urge for passing stool occurs in the morning upon beginning to move about. Diarrhea does not occur at night. Lastly, it can be given in cases with long-term enlargement of spleen.

Key Indicating Features

Stomach pain worse on rising from sitting

Abdomen pain relieved after stool

Enlargement of spleen

6. Women-related problems (Vaginal Discharges, Breast Lumps)

Women may find this medicine useful to manage vaginal discharge. It is used when the vaginal discharge is yellow, blood-stained, irritating and foul-smelling. With this, there is swelling of the labia. Next, it also acts well on the breast and proves effective to treat cases of lumps in the breast. The lumps are painful and sensitive to touch, nipples are retracted. This medicine can also be recommended for the management of cancer of the breast after ulceration has started.

Key Indicating Features

Vaginal discharge that is yellow, blood-stained, irritating having foul odor with swelling of the labia

Lumps in breast that are painful and sensitive to touch

Modalities

Worsening factors: Complaints get worse in dry, cold weather, windy, foggy weather, in room and from exertion

Relieving factors: Complaints get better after meal and also in open air

Dosage

Its use can be in both low as well high potencies. In low potency, one may repeat it often but in high potency frequent repetition is not advisable.

Relationship With Other Remedies

Antidoted by: Arsenic Album and Bryonia

It can be compared to homeopathic medicines Allium Cepa, Arsenic Album, Tuberculinum and Sanguinaria Nitricum