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What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Peroxide on Wounds?

Marissa Meyer
Marissa Meyer

Hydrogen peroxide has been thought to be an effective way to clean wounds, because it is an antiseptic that is not painful when applied to open flesh. Some studies, however, have indicated that hydrogen peroxide might not useful for treating wounds, because it damages new tissue, resulting in delayed healing. Many experts believe that hydrogen peroxide is helpful for cleaning surface dirt and debris from minor wounds when soap and water are not available, but long-term use of peroxide on wounds is discouraged because of the abrasive nature of peroxide.

The application of peroxide on wounds produces an effervescent bubbling that makes it look like the wound is being thoroughly cleansed. Researchers who discourage the use of peroxide as a wound treatment do not deny that peroxide kills dirt and bacteria. A major disadvantage of peroxide is that the solution is so abrasive — even when diluted with water — that the natural healing process that takes place within the skin cells is halted following application. The damage that peroxide does to the skin might manifest with dryness, itching and discoloration around and inside the wound. Wounds that have been treated with peroxide typically take longer to heal than wounds that have been treated with soap and water, and a wound that is open longer has a greater risk of infection.

Peroxide is often used on minor wounds.
Peroxide is often used on minor wounds.

Although hydrogen peroxide is not recommended as a primary treatment for wounds, it can help keep a wound clean in an emergency. When soap and water are not available, peroxide can clean the wound by dissolving dirt and debris or pushing it out with its foaming bubbles. Peroxide is low in cost and portable, and it is often used on minor wounds acquired during outdoor accidents when other treatment methods cannot be accessed. When there is dried blood on the surface of the wound, peroxide can be highly effective, because it will dissolve the blood and leave the wound clear for other treatments.

Using peroxide on wounds can halt the natural healing process.
Using peroxide on wounds can halt the natural healing process.

Experts recommend rinsing a wound with water and cleaning it with soap instead of regularly using peroxide on wounds. Antibiotic ointment can be applied to prevent infection or treat existing infections. A medical professional should be contacted when a wound is severe or an infection has persisted for several days. Antibiotic ointment is preferred over using peroxide on wounds, because antibiotic ointment is gentle and moisturizing, promoting healing instead of hindering it. The wound should be cleaned with soap and water at least twice each day, and all instructions on the packaging should be followed when applying antibiotic ointment, until the wound has healed.

Discussion Comments

anon968024

I rubbed a small blister clusters with peroxide for three days. Now it is dry and the superficial wound created a scab, but this scab is so incredibly thin and I see no progress. I'm a little concerned. I expected to see the scab becoming thick and slowly healing, but nothing has happened. Maybe the blisters were some viruses or the peroxide slows the healing.

bluedolphin

I think peroxide is good to use when a wound is very dirty. Because peroxide kills all types of dangerous organisms and soap and water can't.

ysmina

@MikeMason-- He needs to stop using peroxide so much. Like the article said, hydrogen peroxide doesn't help the wound heal faster and there are other, better ways to disinfect a wound. Plain soap and water is good, but there are also disinfectant solutions that are much milder than peroxide. They are sold at pharmacies and this is what we also use at the hospital.

Peroxide literally eats away at the flesh, which is the last thing you want when trying to get a wound to heal. Of course, if you're in an emergency situation, where the risk of infection is high and there is nothing else on hand, you should use the peroxide. But when there are alternatives, it's best to avoid it.

stoneMason

My brother seriously needs to stop using peroxide. He's a mechanic and he gets small cuts and injuries around his hands and arms a lot while working. He's not very good at wearing protective equipment either. He keeps a bottle of hydrogen peroxide with him all the time, it's his first line of treatment whenever he gets a cut.

I understand why he does this, it's because he doesn't have access to soap or water all the time and sometimes he's in such a rush that he doesn't want to deal with it. So he will just pure the peroxide on the cut, bandage it and keep working.

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    • Peroxide is often used on minor wounds.
      By: Jim Mills
      Peroxide is often used on minor wounds.
    • Using peroxide on wounds can halt the natural healing process.
      By: roblan
      Using peroxide on wounds can halt the natural healing process.
    • Hydrogen peroxide is not painful when applied to open flesh wounds.
      By: rufar
      Hydrogen peroxide is not painful when applied to open flesh wounds.
    • Peroxide can help keep a wound clean during an emergency.
      By: wellphoto
      Peroxide can help keep a wound clean during an emergency.
    • Using peroxide on wounds may delay healing.
      By: poco_bw
      Using peroxide on wounds may delay healing.
    • Antibiotic ointment may be preferable to peroxide for wounds.
      By: agephotography
      Antibiotic ointment may be preferable to peroxide for wounds.
    • Peroxide is often used on minor wounds.
      By: sudok1
      Peroxide is often used on minor wounds.
    • Peroxide can help dissolve the dirt in minor injuries.
      By: soupstock
      Peroxide can help dissolve the dirt in minor injuries.