When you need to get medical or health information, when you have any doubts or want to know “alternative” methods to get better, the web and its “doctor Google” are the choice of the majority of people. Too bad that there is a lot of interesting news on the Internet, but also a lot of disinformation and fake news , or hoaxes. We could say that this is also the case with hydrogen peroxide. For some years now, hydrogen peroxide seems to have become the panacea for all ills . It is also the most common and economical method of disinfection, it is a pity that there is no mention of the dangers involved in its use. There is hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen peroxide
First of all, stating that you want to use hydrogen peroxide means little. There are actually dozens of types of this product and some are extremely dangerous – although you can easily buy them in various online shops. The real name of the product we are dealing with is hydrogen peroxide. Chemically it is considered the simplest peroxide. However, these are substances that are very rarely found in nature. This is because peroxides are highly unstable – especially inorganic ones – and gaseous oxygen derives from its decomposition. From this we can deduce its characteristic of exploding very easily . What is hydrogen peroxide
It is actually an aqueous solution made up of various percentages of hydrogen peroxide. It was first synthesized by Louis Jacques Thenard in 1818. Today it is prepared by reacting barium peroxide with sulfuric acid. The one we all use to disinfect our wounds and 10-volume hydrogen peroxide. This means that it has a concentration of 3% and that a liter of hydrogen peroxide allows it to develop 10 liters of oxygen. Hydrogen peroxide for hair, teeth, etc.
When the various uses of hydrogen peroxide, aka hydrogen peroxide, are mentioned on the web, solutions that are much higher than that of common use are cited – in some cases. For example, concentrations similar to those can be usedused by the hairdresser to make meche , which can reach up to 10% -15% (3-5 times more concentrated than the home one), or those that are used in the dental field with dilutions up to 35%. It goes without saying that these dosages should be used only in special cases and under the supervision of expert personnel. And, consequently, home use is highly discouraged. Risks of ulcers and burns Hydrogen
peroxide is known to whiten the skin and eliminate skin blemishes . The only drawback: at low dilutions it has no effect: higher concentrations are needed. Too bad that even a dilution such as that used in dentistry (35%) can cause serious damage to the skin, including ulcers and burn-like ones. Already at low concentrations and irritating
For antiseptic purposes, hydrogen peroxide is used in concentrations from 3 to 6%. Its antibacterial power is due not only to the presence of oxygen which eliminates bacteria thanks to a purely mechanical action (bubbles), but also to the denaturation of proteins, causing oxidation . The classic bubbles that develop, and which are typical of this kind of skin disinfectant, are formed thanks to the catalase enzyme that allows the release of oxygen. In some people this can lead to irritation , itching and mild pain.
- Give it a try: pass hydrogen peroxide on the skin
Gia at concentrations from 3 to 6% and you may notice that, following the application of hydrogen peroxide with a soaked cotton pad, the skin shows a slightly whitish veil . This is not just a lightening effect, but is evidence of the appearance of surface cells destroyed by hydrogen peroxide.
If ingested at high concentrations and toxic
At high concentrations it can become really dangerous for the skin. Let alone if it is accidentally ingested by a child. A similar case [1] happened some time ago to a three-year-old boy who ingested highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide. All this provokes his death , almost immediately. Even lower concentrations can still cause similar burns within the body and various organs. In fact, as soon as it is ingested, the walls of the stomach and esophagus begin to become strongly irritated. In contact with eyes and mucous membranes it can cause serious problems
. Among the various tips that are dispensed on the Internet there is also that of garglewith hydrogen peroxide. Another method without foundation. In low doses it probably won’t have much effect; in high doses it could cause severe irritation to the throat. In short, if you really don’t want to use drugs, the world is full of options. And hydrogen peroxide is not one of them. It can be used as a disinfectant for the home
. The hydrogen peroxide spray for cleaning surfaces is not recommended, although it doesn’t cause the same damage as topical use. High concentrations are required to disinfect well. And, as mentioned, high concentrations can cause problems for our skin – even when handling the product. 3% hydrogen peroxide is active only if used on our skin, due to some chemical reactions that are triggered when they come into contact with it. In this case it can destroy bacteria, viruses and fungi. It has no effect, however, against the spores of some pathogens. Hydrogen peroxide can destroy flu viruses
Another misconception is that a small amount of hydrogen peroxide instilled in the ear is sufficient to eradicate the diseaseat the first flu symptoms. This is not possible for various reasons. The first is that viruses, at the time of use, should be found only and exclusively in these areas and should not have established themselves in any other part of the body. Second, the hydrogen peroxide ends its effect after a few minutes , a continuous use of the substance would be necessary. More harm than good
Hydrogen peroxide should therefore be used only and exclusively when necessary and in the disinfection of wounds. Applying it to the skin or mucous membranes for other purposes could eliminate the natural protective coating, accelerating aging and, as already mentioned, causing burn-like if the concentrations are high.It is important to know the dangers of hydrogen peroxide: the word from the experts
Scientists at the Swedish Medical Center in Colorado warn about the potential damage this substance can do. When the skin absorbs hydrogen peroxide, the amount of fibroblasts is reduced. These cells, however, are precisely those responsible for repairing damaged tissues. Hydrogen peroxide Cures Cancer
Obviously not.
There are also people on the web who claim that hydrogen peroxide can cure cancer. It goes without saying that if it were possiblemany would have long since recovered. In this regard, the American Cancer Society recently stated that hydrogen peroxide in no way helps cure cancer. Just think that abroad products with 35% hydrogen peroxide to be ingested are even sold. But the FDA [2] warns: such products can cause death.
[1] Acute Poisoning: Poisons, Medicines and Drugs. By Kent R. Olson. Springer, 1999. ISBN 978-88-470-0030-8
[2] FDA Warns Consumers Against Drinking High-Strength Hydrogen Peroxide for Medicinal Use Ingestion Can Lead to Serious Health Risks and Death
[3] The Dangers of Hydrogen Peroxide – Medical Daily
[4] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Hydrogen Peroxide
