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Anyone else not understand the hate for hydrogen peroxide? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by monovergent@lemmy.ml to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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A lot of recent medical advice says that hydrogen peroxide in first aid is counterproductive. Of course, what I'm about to say is one person's anecdote. But I find that if I just leave the occasional cut or scrape alone or wash it with soap and water, it'll tend to get a bit inflamed (very locally) and hypersensitive, which is very annoying when it's on my hands. On the other hand, If I just rinse it out and slather some H2O2 on the wound, it kind of chemically "cauterizes" the wound, prevents irritation later on, and heals just as well.

Am I just doing it wrong, or does anyone else find that hydrogen peroxide is good on minor wounds, despite recent medical findings? I don't mean to cast doubt on legitimate medical research, but I'd like to understand why H2O2 seems to work for me when research says it should be counterproductive.

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[–] Asidonhopo@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Not sure if this is true but someone once told me that using hydrogen peroxide on wounds of a certain size might lead to a bubble of gas appearing in the bloodstream, which would be undesirable. I dunno, I rinse my mouth with diluted h2o2 occasionally and might put it on a small scrape but I'm a little leery after hearing that. Also the "cauterizing" effect seems like it might slow healing or cause a more notable scar.

[–] SoleInvictus@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

It's practically untrue. The size of the wound required to introduce enough hydrogen peroxide into your bloodstream to produce a problematic amount of gas would be a much more pressing issue. Unless you're pouring large volumes into a gaping wound, the positive pressure of your cardiovascular system will keep the majority from finding its way into your blood.

[–] Asidonhopo@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Thanks, that's a load off my mind. It doesn't really sound true but the bubbling action of peroxide always seemed a little ominous. Easy to see how this rumor started, it could be generations old.