And how does it clean open wounds? Hope effective is it compared to rubbing alcohol and why would I use one over the other?
In: 2
Hydrogen peroxide works via a chemical process called a redox reaction. Essentially the peroxide is bonding with the cell walls it comes in contact with. This strips Oxygen atoms from the cells and turns into water and O2. That O2 is the gas you see bubbling from a wound treated with peroxide. Unfortunately peroxide is indiscriminate. It is killing the bacteria yes but it is also killing the exposed tissue cells and immune cells of your body. While not the same reaction, rubbing alcohol can have much the same effect; killing immune cells and healthy cells. Either way both will lead to longer healing times for the wounds, and the longer a would stays open, the more likely it is to get infected.
It is always best to use antibiotic ointment over either peroxide or rubbing alcohol, but if you don’t have that on hand…still don’t do that. Warm water and hand soap should be all you need. If even that isn’t available then fine use them, but neither peroxide or rubbing alcohol should be your first choice. Nor should it be your second choice.
Latest Answers