Peroxide and alcohol?

Question

What is the difference?...and which is really better for what?
I remember being told to use peroxide on acne, but I prefer alcohol. Is the peroxide better?
(I'm talking isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide)

Answer 1

There's a vast difference. Like night and day, really.

In order to understand the true difference, you have to know a little more about the chemistry. Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) is not just water, as many people think. The unique covalent bond that forms from the fusion of the additional oxygen atom turns it into a weak acid.
It's used for many things, from turning pulp into paper, to bleaching skin and hair (hence the term "peroxide bleaching"), but in it's over-the-counter antiseptic form, it's highly diluted. Pure Peroxide is light blue, but in common form it's a fusion and only 3% pure. It does kill germs, but it's not as painful.

Still, it's important not to swallow it. As it will create problems then.

Isopropyl alcohol is a more caustic solution. It's an isomer of propanol. (Isomers are mollecules that closely resemble another, but the atoms are arranged differently, changing the properties) and propanol is a heavier alcohol. Now, how it works on the body has to do with oxidation properties, which gets even more complicated, but basically it's second-to-none for eliminating microbials (germs, bacteria, the like) and keeping wounds clean. But it burns, and can be very uncomfortable.

But as the saying goes, no pain, no gain.

Answer 2

Peroxide cleans the wound, alcohol dries the wound, neosporin prevents infection. Boil water and add a tablespoon of iodized or epsom salt. Pour it into a large enough bowl that you can soak your toe/foot (try to not let it cool too much but do not burn yourself) in it for at least 15 minutes but no longer than 30. Then use the peroxide first, alcohol or witch hazel next then neosporin and cover it with a bandage. Try to do this twice, three times a day until it is healed.

Answer 3

Well, it depends. If you really want to know, call up yer' doc. But I'd go with the peroxide, though it's not good to get in your eyes. then again, what it? Anyways, peroxide'll soften it up, so it pops on it's, or just oozes dead, but I really wouldn't advise it, because I'm not a doctor. So ask your doctor before doing anything, hon, or just get some Neutrogena.

Answer 4

Alcohol is more drying than peroxide. Also if you have any black heads they will not turn dark or black at the surface as the peroxide will "bleach" them.