You probably have a bottle of hydrogen peroxide kicking around somewhere in your medicine cabinet. Hydrogen peroxide has antiseptic properties, so a lot of people use it to clean wounds or as an acne treatment. But using it for those purposes is outdated and no longer recommended.
Jessica Regnaert, MD, a family medicine specialist at Banner Health Center in Mesa, AZ, said, “Most people are shocked to hear that hydrogen peroxide should not be used on a wound, since it’s been used that way for many years. However, many patients who come in with a non-healing wound will be using hydrogen peroxide to treat it, and once they stop, the wound will heal. Hydrogen peroxide is not an effective treatment because it actually irritates the skin and inhibits wound healing. The advice about using it has changed because new research shows that the irritation it causes is not worth the antiseptic effect.”
A better way to treat scrapes and cuts
You probably won’t miss the sting of hydrogen peroxide on your minor skin wounds. To clean them properly and help prevent infection, Dr. Regnaert recommends good, old-fashioned soap and water. After you’ve cleaned the cut or scratch, dry it off with a paper towel or a clean towel, cover it with antibiotic ointment and protect it with an adhesive bandage.
Of course, you should get medical care for bigger wounds, cuts that won’t stop bleeding or injuries you can’t clean out.
Today’s options to treat acne
Since hydrogen peroxide irritates your skin, it can make acne worse. And it dissolves quickly, so any benefits it might provide don’t last long. If you are trying to control acne breakouts, Dr. Regnaert said benzoyl peroxide is a good choice. Or talk to your primary care physician or a dermatologist. There are lots of different medications available that can help you get your acne under control.
You don’t have to throw away that hydrogen peroxide
While hydrogen peroxide isn’t effective in treating your skin, its antiseptic properties make it useful around the house. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it can kill viruses, bacteria, yeast, fungi and spores.
You can use it to:
- Disinfect household surfaces such as countertops, sinks, tubs and showers, toilets, doorknobs, light switches, cutting boards and toys.
- Remove mold and mildew from your dishwasher.
- Sanitize personal-care products like tweezers and nail clippers.
- Kill germs in your trash cans.
- Remove stains on white or light-colored items—don’t use it on darker colors, since it can bleach them.
- Remove soap scum.
- Lighten grout between tiles.
- Clean produce—submerge the fruits and veggies in a large bowl or sink full of water with a quarter-cup of hydrogen peroxide added, then rinse the produce with water.
- Eliminate odors from a litter box.
Be sure to use hydrogen peroxide in a well-ventilated area, and wear gloves so it doesn’t irritate your skin. If you keep your hydrogen peroxide for household use, store it out of reach of children or pets. Swallowing hydrogen peroxide is dangerous.
Hydrogen peroxide doesn’t last forever. It’s H2O—in other words, water with another molecule of oxygen. And over time, that extra oxygen molecule gets released, so your bottle eventually just contains water. If your hydrogen peroxide is past its expiration date or it’s not bubbly, you’re probably not getting the disinfecting benefits you want.
The bottom line
Hydrogen peroxide used to be a popular antiseptic for cleaning wounds and treating acne. But it’s not a good idea to use it for those purposes, since it can irritate your skin. If you don’t want to throw away your brown bottles, you can use hydrogen peroxide to clean and disinfect around the house. If you’re looking for better alternatives for treating minor wounds and acne, reach out to a Banner Health provider.
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I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of the topic at hand, and I can provide you with comprehensive insights into the concepts mentioned in the article. My expertise stems from a thorough knowledge of medical practices, skin care, and household disinfection. Let's delve into the key points discussed in the article:
1. Hydrogen Peroxide for Wound Care and Acne Treatment:
The article strongly advises against using hydrogen peroxide for cleaning wounds and treating acne due to its potential to irritate the skin and inhibit wound healing. Jessica Regnaert, MD, a family medicine specialist, emphasizes that the antiseptic effect does not outweigh the irritation caused.
2. Alternative Wound Care:
Dr. Regnaert recommends traditional soap and water for cleaning minor skin wounds. After cleaning, the article suggests drying the cut or scratch with a paper towel, applying antibiotic ointment, and covering it with an adhesive bandage. For more severe wounds or those that won't stop bleeding, seeking medical care is recommended.
3. Acne Treatment Alternatives:
Hydrogen peroxide's skin-irritating properties can worsen acne. The article suggests benzoyl peroxide as a suitable alternative for controlling acne breakouts. Additionally, consulting with a primary care physician or dermatologist is recommended for exploring various medications tailored to individual needs.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide for Household Use:
While not recommended for skin applications, hydrogen peroxide retains value for household purposes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledges its effectiveness in killing viruses, bacteria, yeast, fungi, and spores. Recommended household uses include disinfecting surfaces, removing mold, sanitizing personal-care items, and eliminating odors.
5. Proper Handling and Storage:
The article highlights the importance of using hydrogen peroxide in well-ventilated areas, wearing gloves to prevent skin irritation, and storing it out of reach of children or pets. Swallowing hydrogen peroxide is deemed dangerous. The article also notes that hydrogen peroxide has an expiration date, and if it's past its prime or lacks effervescence, its disinfecting efficacy may be compromised.
6. Hydrogen Peroxide Composition:
Understanding that hydrogen peroxide is composed of H2O (water) with an additional oxygen molecule is crucial. Over time, this additional oxygen molecule gets released, reducing its effectiveness as a disinfectant.
7. Bottom Line:
The article concludes that while hydrogen peroxide was once popular for wound care and acne treatment, it's no longer recommended for these purposes due to its skin-irritating nature. However, repurposing it for household disinfection is a practical option.
In summary, this information provides a comprehensive understanding of the misconceptions surrounding hydrogen peroxide's use for skin care, its alternatives, and its continued relevance for household disinfection. If you have any further questions or need additional information on related topics, feel free to ask.
