The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Zo (Pattaya, Chonburi) on 06/24/2022:
I don't believe in changing guidelines. Thank God old remedies that have been proved to be successful are still in use. Family history tells me HP is a potent tool in healthcare. I don't trust any industry driven decisions.
My 89 year old father had bedsores that he had contracted while at hospital. They were really deep wounds, about 1 cm deep. My sister treated the wounds with hydrogen-peroxide. Unlike many elderly people, my father made a full recovery. I believe what I see, not what I am told of the dangers oh HP. However qualified the person might be.
I was told by a doctor md to spray hydrogen peroxide after I cleaned an incision I had. Have had a few surgeries in my life but after learning about hydro. per., I use it any time I have a cut or surgery, makes healing a breeze!
As a wind instrument musician, I had frequent damge to the lips and mouth resulting in sores etc.. It is a common problem. Rinsing mouthpieces, reeds etc in H2O2 completely eliminated the problem for me and I have had zero occurences for years.
In the tropics minor wounds when working or hiking, for example have a tendency to persist and not heal. H2O2 solved this problem for me and my hands and legs are free from wound sites. From my experience I cannot confirm these warnings.
Hi Carrie, I assume that you are not referring to an acute wound but are referring to a chronic wound or a sutured wound. As you know there is a difference between an acute wound and a chronic wound, whilst this may be the case with chronic wounds due to the fact that 3% H2O2 (whilst good in the initial treatment) does not kill the serious bacterial infection. It is also not advisable on sutured wounds due to its ability to dissolve or weaken some sutures. On acute wounds I have had great success. Have a look at these results.
I saw an article last year about a silver dressing where nano silver particles were in the dressing that would be put on the wound, have you seen this used
Please do not advise hydrogen peroxide for wound care. I am a wound care registered nurse and highly advise against using it for this reason. It is drying to the wound and delays wound healing. Wounds need a balance of moisture to heal.
I noticed a cautionary message in the section on H2O2 which reported it is no longer safe as a cleansing protocol for wounds. When I worked on a geriatric ward many years ago we routinely used it for open bedsores and ulcers. After daily syringing with 3% HP to thoroughly clear necrotic material wounds were packed with gauze soaked in cod liver oil. (Matron's own remedy! ) In patients where health was not too severely compromised, within a few weeks this resulted healthy new pink tissue even in very deep cavities brought on by pressure sores. And the lady whose ulcerated leg had become gangrenous was delighted when the regeneration saved her from an amputation. The oil is rather smelly, of course, but how bad if it works?
Hydrogen peroxide was once used for cleaning wounds but research has shown it is too harsh for wound care. It kills healthy tissue, is cytotoxic, and actually delays wound healing. Unfortunately, some health professionals have not kept current on changes in wound care and still recommend H2O2. I cannot comment on the other clains on your page, but H2O2 for wound care is definitely inappropriate.
Dr. John McDonald, DDS (Cleveland, Ohio) on 07/18/2007:
Warning
There is a problem using Hydrogen Peroxide on fresh wounds and cuts. The foaming action that you have been told is the 'dirt' being bubbled out is actually the destruction of the 'first responding cells'. the good guys. Destroying those cells is why it takes 30% longer for the wound to heal. The longer the wound takes to heal means more scaring will result. Remember your mom saying not to pick your scabs??? That it would cause a scar. She was right. The older you are, the slower you heal, and this results in more scaring. ALL recent wounds take up more solar radiation and this stimulates the 'tanning' cells. This results in an area that tans quicker than the area around the healed wounds. it takes 6 months for the skin to mature to normal thickness. If you doubt this take a look at the shin area of your leg. In the early exposure to sun will cause your old scars to tan faster. eventually the rest of the shin catches up in the level of tan. On you leg this is no big deal but on your cheek or chin it is. it will show every spring. So if you use a 50 sun block for 6 months you can avoid this livelong problem.
Some years ago I lived in the Torres Strait Islands where the air is very salty and filled with microorganisms. Getting a nick or cut, particularly a coral cut, can lead to severe tropical ulcers on the skin. These ulcers can grow to the size of a dinner plate if left untreated. I used 3% hydrogen peroxide on some small ulcers on my leg and they cleared up in no time.
I used H2O2 on a foot wound. After three days it was ok. Before using H2O2 i have visisted 10 doctors to treat my wound, but they failed to heal that. Then i used H2O2 on that wound and it was cured. Wound was on my Foot Finger. It was like a winter disease (cold disease). Thanks.
