What is hydrogen peroxide and what is it used for?
Hydrogen peroxide is the common name for hydrogen peroxide, H 2 O 2 . It is an oxidizing substance in the form of a colorless liquid at room temperature with a bitter taste. We have known this liquid since we were little, because it is the one used to disinfect our wounds. It continues to be marketed as an antiseptic and at 3% , its lowest concentration, it is indicated for superficial skin wounds. It is also used for mouthwashes after dental extractions, in adults and children over 12 years of age. Use on wounds is decreasing because it has been shown to damage healthy skin around the wound.
Another use of hydrogen peroxide, we could say homemade, would be to bleach hair . For this we will need hydrogen peroxide between 6 and 10% concentration . The Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) of the European Commission considers that its use in toothpaste up to 6% is safe .
Industrial Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide
After this percentage of 10%, we find hydrogen peroxide at 35% for food use . It is authorized in Spain to decontaminate water intended for human consumption, as a bleach for natural casings, and as a treatment for cephalopods and blood products . Formerly it was used to keep the milk from the extraction of the cow to the processing factory, when there was no way to keep it cold. This is the concentration that is recommended as an alternative health remedy, without any scientific evidence.
The 90% solution is called industrial hydrogen peroxide , and its main use is bleaching, disinfection and production of other chemicals in various uses : processing and bleaching of paper, fibers and fabrics, use in disinfectants and biocides in the cleaning, waste water treatment, leather tanning and processing, leather preparation and use in the photographic industry. At this concentration it is even used for rocket propulsion.
Like any substance, it can be harmful to our health. Hydrogen peroxide can be toxic if swallowed, inhaled, or on contact with skin or eyes . But it all depends on the amount and concentration.
What happens if a person ingests hydrogen peroxide?
Ingestion of a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide for domestic use can cause sore throat, gastric disorders and vomiting. The progressive advance of oxygen through the body can cause injuries due to acute distention of the stomach and internal bleeding. Although the concentration is small, if large volumes are ingested, it can cause an air embolism since bubbles are produced in the blood.
Despite the fact that these effects are described in the product’s data sheet, it is possible that nothing serious will happen to us if we accidentally ingest a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide from home. The problems begin when the intake of hydrogen peroxide is at a concentration of 35% or higher . In this case , we must immediately go to the emergency room or notify the emergency medical services. Complications are serious and can lead to death: burns to our digestive tract, altered mental status, seizures, changes in the electrical activity of the heart, pulmonary embolism, and/or stroke will occur. The production of bubbles, in addition to pulmonary embolism, can cause laryngospasm and bronchospasm . That is, our airways contract and respiratory distress occurs because air cannot pass correctly.
The solution, as mentioned, is to go to the emergency room quickly. Sometimes observation for hours may be necessary, since cases have been described in which complications have appeared after 24 hours. We will never induce vomiting as it could worsen the situation.
What happens if you get hydrogen peroxide in your eyes?
If hydrogen peroxide gets into our eyes, it can cause redness, pain and blurred vision. Industrial and food concentrations can also cause corneal damage and burns . In any case, we will rinse the eye immediately with plenty of water , also under the eyelids, for at least 15 minutes.
The household concentration is not concentrated enough to cause injury when inhaled, but at concentrations greater than 3% it is irritating to the respiratory tract and can cause sore throat, cough, dizziness, headache, nausea, and shortness of breath from pulmonary edema. .
Hydrogen peroxide for our skin: better consult your dermatologist
Certain unreliable sources claim that hydrogen peroxide is a good treatment for acne and other skin problems such as hyperpigmentation. However , no benefit has been described in these pathologies. To be useful for hyperpigmentation and skin whitening, we would need a minimum concentration of 35% and this can cause: dermatitis, burns, blisters, hives, redness, itching and irritation.
Dangerous pseudotherapy: oxygenated water is not water or super water
For more than 15 years the FDA ( the Food and Drug Administration of the United States ) already warned of the use, sale and recommendation of 35% hydrogen peroxide for food use for medicinal purposes. The formula for hydrogen peroxide is H2O2 and people think that by having one more molecule of oxygen, it is a kind of super water that will be beneficial for our body.
This is why various sources claim that it is useful for the treatment of HIV, cancer, emphysema and other serious and life-threatening diseases. They recommend diluting drops of hydrogen peroxide in normal water and drinking it. This lacks scientific evidence and chemical foundation: the formula is similar, but it is a completely different molecule than water. We are facing a dangerous health hoax .
In addition to the lack of scientific evidence, as we have seen, 35% hydrogen peroxide is dangerous. And this was demonstrated by Hattey et al. in a review of the scientific literature that they carried out in 2017. In it, they described complications with only 35 drops of 35% hydrogen peroxide in 180 ml of water . In their study they state that ” a milliliter of hydrogen peroxide (20 drops) in contact with tissue quickly generates 100 ml of oxygen due to the great oxidizing property of this compound “. This sudden volume of oxygen generated can cause a lot of damage, in addition to burns after ingestion.
Fortunately, hydrogen peroxide poisoning is a rare entity that usually appears in children. Currently, it seems that hyperbaric chamber treatment is the one that is giving the best results in preventing the most serious complications due to embolism due to air bubbles.
To prevent accidental ingestion , we should not store hydrogen peroxide or any cleaning and toxic product in reused water bottles . With this we will avoid being confused with water. In the case of children, to avoid accidents we already know the phrase “keep out of reach of children” .
References:
Aemps.es. (2016). Prospectus hydrogen peroxide foret 3% cutaneous solution and concentrate for oral solution. Spanish Association of Medicines and health products. Available at: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/40859/Prospecto_40859.html
cdc.gov. (2021). Hydrogen peroxide. Centers for disease control and prevention. Available at: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/es/toxfaqs/es_tfacts174.html
Hatten et al. (2017). Outcomes After High-Concentration Peroxide Ingestions. Annals of Emergency Medicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2016.11.022
Healthline. (2020) Petre A. Drinking hydrogen peroxide: Is it safe?. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/drinking-hydrogen-peroxide.
National Center for Biotechnology Information (2022). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 784, Hydrogen peroxide. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Hydrogen-peroxide.
