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Is it good if peroxide bubbles? Your questions answered
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Nothing stings like hydrogen peroxide on a wound. At least it’s cleaning your wound, right? While that’s true, there’s a lot more going on than you may realize. We’re here to answer any (and all) questions you’ve ever had about hydrogen peroxide—and some of the answers might surprise you.
Things You Should Know
- Hydrogen peroxide bubbles when a chemical reaction breaks it down to water and oxygen.
- Organic materials like blood, damaged skin cells, and some bacteria contain an enzyme called catalase that sets off the reaction.
- Even though hydrogen peroxide cleans wounds, it’s not recommended for wound care because it irritates your skin and delays healing.
- Instead of using peroxide, wash your wound with soapy water, apply an ointment, and put on a bandage.
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Tips
- For household use, stick to 3% hydrogen peroxide because it’s potent enough to get the job done. More concentrated formulas can damage your skin or respiratory system. [12] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to sourceThanks
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Warnings
- Never consume hydrogen peroxide because it can cause vomiting and stomach burns that may require medical care. [13] X Trustworthy Source U.S. National Capital Poison Center Independent poison control center providing resources to prevent poisonings and save lives Go to sourceThanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about chemistry, check out our in-depth interview with Anne Schmidt .
References
- ↑ https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/general-science-you-asked/hydrogen-peroxide-bodys-best-defence-system
- ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/catalase
- ↑ https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Hydrogen-peroxide
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cuts-and-grazes/
- ↑ https://www.lvhn.org/sites/default/files/uploads/research_education/EmergencyMedicineMedStudents/WoundCleansing.pdf
- ↑ https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Hydrogen-peroxide
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-hydrogen-peroxide-good-for/
- ↑ https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2022/jun/should-you-put-hydrogen-peroxide-on-a-cut-or-scrape/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-hydrogen-peroxide-good-for/
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