Why do hydrogen peroxide and neosporin warn "not to use on large areas of the body"? What's the risk here?

Question

I have a lot of acne scars on my body that happen to cover a large area(s). They seem to fade if I use the first to dry a bit, then take a good shower, then use skin conditioner and then neosporin (or cheaper vitamin A&D stuff)... anyway, it's a large area. ummm, am i going to get sick or something if i do this from time to time?

Answer 1

What they're really trying to say with that cautionary statement is that those products are intended for comparatively minor wounds. If you have wounds or burns that cover large areas of the body, then you need something more than the first-aid that Neosporin or hydrogen peroxide can provide.

That being said, acne scars really won't be helped by Neosporin, but "active" acne might improve somewhat if you use it. Certainly I've never heard of anybody overdosing on either product.

Good luck!

Answer 2

First of all, Neosporin and A and D are not even close to being the same thing. A and D just provides a barrier, while Neosporin prevents infection. There's a couple reasons I can think of for the label. Someone already mentioned allergic reaction. There is also the probability that if you have a large area of the body that needs to be treated with neosporing, then you should probably be seeing a doctor. Third, did you hear about the girl who died from putting bengay on her body? She was rubbing on massive amounts and it basically poisoned her. People never seem to think that things you rub on your skin can be harmful. We think that when we apply things to out skin, that it's not going ino out body. Not true! Skin in permeable, and medicinal ointments and creams are usually absorbed through the skin into to other areas of the body. Tha't s their mechanism of action. So, if you use neosporin all over your entire body, the medication in it could be absorbed systemically in large amounts, thereby creating toxicity. If you want to use it for the treatment of acne/scars, I suggest you only do one area at a time.

Answer 3

I don't think Neosporin and Vitamin A & D are the same thing.

Several people on here have praised Neosporin (used nightly) for clearing their acne.


Good Luck.

Answer 4

It's just a precaution, in case the person has a severe allergic reaction. (Sometimes you have to be exposed to a large amount of a substance for there to be a reaction.)

Answer 5

hydrogen peroxide can and does irritate skin.