I posted a question earlier about my little brother's reaction when we use these two on his cuts and scrapes, and a few people mentioned how you're not supposed to use it for that purpose. However, that is what it's marketed for, and both peroxide and alcohol are sooo inexpensive. I know one burns the crap out of you while the other bubbles, but I thought this was a good thing. We've been using it in my household since I was little....however, if this is not the truly not the right thing to use, then i'd like to know so that we will no longer rely on it. I't just a habit for me...whenever I get a cut or something I go for the alchohol, peroxide, and cotton balls. lol Old habits die hard I guess. So do these two truly make the wound worse rather than heal? Thanks!
2007-06-17 06:47:34 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
Definitely an old remedy. Alcohol was applied to fresh cuts/wounds to kill any germs that may cause an infection.Hydrogen Peroxide is ok to use but it should be diluted with normal saline or salt water. After the bubbling has subsided,clean the wound/cut with salt water or just soap and water.Hydrogen Peroxide in pure form can be harmful to healthy tissue.Alcohol on any cut/wound burns and it is quite painful. No alcohol, please. I hope this clarifies your question.
2007-06-20 03:14:57 · answer #1 · answered by Ruth 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I use hydrogen peroxide on minor cuts and wounds all the time. In my experience it does not harm normal skin and does debrid the dead cells. With them gone, it heals faster - kept protected. Alcohol hurts like h--l on open skin and I don't use it. I have had one doctor almost go ballistic about H2O2 claiming it burned the skin, while another recommended it.
2007-06-17 07:21:42 · answer #2 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alcohol dries out the tissue, so the skin can't heal properly. Peroxide kills all the bacteria, good and bad, leaving you open to more infections.
2007-06-17 07:58:56 · answer #3 · answered by dark bubble 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
they work just fine. they are great inexpensive topical liquids that do their job (meaning kill bacteria on the surface of the wounds) and are sterile. Once the blood clot forms it seals the wound (which occurs in the scale of minutes-hours). Other ointments contain antibiotics and I personally don't use them (unless absolutely necessary) because their use results in more antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
2007-06-17 06:55:26 · answer #4 · answered by Chris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
both damage normal tissue...best to flood with (ideally sterile) saline, and dress with strile dressing.
2007-06-17 06:52:27 · answer #5 · answered by David B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i don't think so i use them for cuts all the time
2007-06-17 06:55:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋