So for me, the benefits do not outweigh the risks.
The bactericidal effects of the hydrogen peroxide are great to clean the wound and kill bacteria initially, but this same benefit comes with a price in that the peroxide can damage skin cells and angiogenesis which is the process of new vessel formation. If peroxide is used, it is definitely not recommended on a long-term basis. What it comes down to for me is giving the wound the best chance possible at healing and ultimately wound closure.Īfter years of research, we now know that the caustic nature of hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol (another commonly used first aid antiseptic) can destroy healthy cells and therefore affect wound healing. As a wound care specialist, I see wounds all the time that are stuck in a certain phase of wound healing and the wound struggles to progress forward. Although hydrogen peroxide is thought to be a good first aid antiseptic, the controversy remains on how beneficial it actually is in the long run. In its low concentration, hydrogen peroxide will start a bubbling action which helps remove debris from the wound and work to kill bacteria cells by destroying their cell walls. The blood and other living cells found in a wound use the catalase enzyme to attack the hydrogen peroxide and convert it to (water) H2O and (oxygen) O2. It is a common ‘go to’ when there is a wound, and it can usually be found in most household’s first aid kits.Īs a young child, I remember my mom would rush to get the hydrogen peroxide to wash out our cuts and burns. The simplest peroxide, it is used as an antiseptic agent, bleaching agent and an oxidizer. Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with the formula H2O2 and has been used as a first aid antiseptic for injured skin since the 1920’s.
Why You Should Stop Using Hydrogen Peroxide on Wounds by Dr.