So Hydrogen peroxide cleans cuts, unsurprisingly. But I've learned that there are things in your blood that will turn hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. So what's the difference between using water and using H2O2 to clean your cuts? Isn't it the same thing?
2007-10-23 18:42:12 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
It works like soap does. The bubbles formed trap dirt and germs inside and they come to the surface and are rinsed away.
2007-10-23 18:45:37 · answer #1 · answered by 5c0tt 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Peroxide On Cuts
2016-09-29 00:11:00 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Hydrogen Peroxide is a disinfectant. Only a portion of it is broken down by the catalytic effect of metals in the blood, and it works as a disinfectant before it contacts the blood.
It's not a really strong disinfectant, by the way, and not much more effective than soap and water. If the wound is dirty, soap and water is probably better, but not for the reasons you give in your question.
Try an internet search on "disinfectant properties of Hydrogen Peroxide."
2007-10-23 18:47:31 · answer #3 · answered by aviophage 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, hydrogen peroxide has a higher oxygen concentration than water (double the amount of it). So, it could be that as the chemical reaction with the blood takes place a high concentration of oxygen is released from hydrogen peroxide that kills anaerobic bacteria (that is those strains of bacteria who thrive in the absence of oxygen. Oxygen creates a hostile environment for them and, so, they die).
2007-10-23 19:09:00 · answer #4 · answered by sharon 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Water isnt always clean, ever see deposits come out of your sink or tub? Theres build up even inside water lines. Therefor its not a good thing to use on open wounds,whereas peroxide reacts with the blood to boil out your cuts and clean em. And antibiotical cream keeps the germs from infecting the area.
2007-10-24 05:23:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent that makes it a powerful disinfectant with 3% houshold peroxide. It also makes an excellent mouth wash and tooth whitener as it is also used as a bleaching agent. 97% of it is water.
Were you to have 100% peroxide, watch out. Let the sun hit it its a powerful explosive. Once used in rocket fuels til more powerful fuels were found.
And water, except for distilled water is loaded with bacteria. A good way to infect cuts.
2007-10-23 18:50:13 · answer #6 · answered by genghis1947 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Hydrogen Peroxide kills and sterilizes the wound. Water just makes it look clean. Much of our tap water has minerals and germs that can cause infections and may even make the wound worse.
2007-10-23 18:46:20 · answer #7 · answered by jhunter 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
"Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a very pale blue liquid which appears colourless in a dilute solution, slightly more viscous than water. It is a weak acid. It has strong oxidizing properties and is therefore a powerful bleaching agent that is mostly used for bleaching paper, but has also found use as a disinfectant, as an oxidizer, and in rocketry (particularly in high concentrations as high-test peroxide (HTP) as a monopropellant), and in bipropellant systems."
2007-10-23 18:45:51 · answer #8 · answered by Darkskinnyboy 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
water can disinfect, its d universal solvent remember? it washes bacteria away, at d same time, it can also bring bacteria back to body. water is basic substance (chemistry) so it can serve as reservoir for multi-orgs to multiply & live in. hydrogen peroxide is an acidic substance w/c can kill microorgs. one advantage is that it not only disinfects, it serves as blood coagulants to help stop bleeding in cuts. i learned soap can also help but d difference is some people may have allergic reactions to soap. hperoxide is an alternative to soap.
2007-10-23 18:55:05 · answer #9 · answered by Nurse M 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hydrogen Peroxide kills a lot of germs, fights infection.
2007-10-23 18:45:49 · answer #10 · answered by plaplant8 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hydrogen peroxide can kill some initial bacteria that can cause infections and then seal the wound in this way.
2007-10-23 18:46:29 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋