Is It Safe to Drink Hydrogen Peroxide?

Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/drinking-hydrogen-peroxide

https://www.healthline.com/health/hydrogen-peroxide-skin

 

Hydrogen peroxide is a clear, odorless, and colorless liquid consisting of hydrogen and oxygen. It’s available in dilutions ranging from 3–90%, some of which are sometimes used as an alternative health remedy.

Advocates suggest that drinking a few drops of hydrogen peroxide diluted in water may help treat a range of illnesses, including diabetes and even some forms of cancer.

However, medical professionals warn against the dangers of this practice.

This article takes a look at the latest evidence to determine whether the benefits of drinking hydrogen peroxide outweigh its potential risks.

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Are there any health benefits to drinking hydrogen peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide can typically be found in four categories of dilution, each of them used for specific purposes (1):

  • 3% hydrogen peroxide. Also referred to as household hydrogen peroxide, this type is typically used to clean or disinfect minor wounds. It’s the one you’re most likely to find in your local supermarket or drugstore.
  • 6–10% hydrogen peroxide. This concentration is most commonly used to bleach hair.
  • 35% hydrogen peroxide. Commonly referred to as food grade hydrogen peroxide, this variety is typically found in health food stores and promoted as a cure to various ailments and diseases.
  • 90% hydrogen peroxide. Also known as industrial hydrogen peroxide, it’s typically used to bleach paper and textiles, make foam rubber or rocket fuel, or as a substitute for chlorine in water and sewage treatment.

Some people believe that drinking a few drops of food grade hydrogen peroxide that has been diluted in water can help improve your health by bringing extra oxygen into your body.

They believe that this extra oxygen can help treat various ailments, such as sore throat, arthritis, diabetes, AIDS, lupus, and even some forms of cancer.

However, there’s little evidence to support these claims. In fact, hydrogen peroxide production by cancerous cells in the body is known to increase inflammation and accelerate the progression of disease

Moreover, doctors warn that drinking hydrogen peroxide can cause a range of unpleasant side effects, some of which can be deadly in some cases

Health risks of drinking hydrogen peroxide

Despite the purported benefits of drinking hydrogen peroxide, research and medical experts agree that drinking this compound can have serious side effects.

When drunk, hydrogen peroxide reacts with a natural enzyme in your body, producing very high amounts of oxygen.

When the amount of oxygen produced is too high to physically burp out, it can cross over from your gut into your blood vessels, leading to potential complications, such as heart attacks or stroke (3Trusted Source).

The severity of complications depends on the volume and concentration of the hydrogen peroxide that was ingested.

For instance, accidentally swallowing a small amount of household 3% hydrogen peroxide usually causes minor symptoms, such as bloating, mild stomach pain, and in some cases, vomiting.

However, ingesting larger amounts or higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can cause ulcers, a perforated gut, and mouth, throat, and stomach burns. In severe cases, it may result in breathing problems, fainting, and even death (3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source).

Food grade hydrogen peroxide is over 10 times more concentrated than the household variety. Moreover, instructions on how to dilute it vary from one seller to another, and its safety hasn’t been evaluated.

Therefore, using food grade hydrogen peroxide to make your own dilutions increases the risk you’ll consume a higher concentration, and as a result, experience its more severe side effects.

What to do if you have ingested hydrogen peroxide

According to the National Poison Control center, adults and children who accidentally ingested small amounts of household 3% hydrogen peroxide should call their helpline for immediate assistance (5).

On the other hand, children and adults who swallowed large amounts of hydrogen peroxide ⁠— or any amount with a higher concentration than those of household dilutions ⁠— should seek immediate medical assistance from the closest emergency room.

The bottom line

Hydrogen peroxide is touted as an alternative health remedy for a range of health conditions.

However, there’s no scientific evidence that drinking it yields any benefits. Plus, doing so is linked to dangerous side effects, including breathing problems, severe gut damage, and in some cases, death.

For these reasons, drinking any concentration or amount of hydrogen peroxide is not recommended.

Can I Use Hydrogen Peroxide on My Skin?

A quick search online for using hydrogen peroxide for your skin can reveal conflicting, and often confusing, results. Some users tout it as an effective acne treatment and a skin lightener. It’s sometimes used as a disinfectant, but it can cause severe side effects when used on your skin.

Hydrogen peroxide is used to disinfect tools, bleach hair, and to clean surfaces. It’s also used in oral care and gardening. It may be discomforting to know that a touted skin treatment can also be used as a household cleaner.

According to the National Capital Poison Center, over-the-counter (OTC) products with hydrogen peroxide contain “safe” concentrations of 3 percent, while some industrial versions contain up to 90 percent.

Your doctor may use hydrogen peroxide in small doses to help treat instances of oxidative stress in your skin. It’s not, however, widely regarded as a safe product for alternative skin care. Learn more about the risks to your skin and what you should use instead.

Why you should keep hydrogen peroxide off your skin

Hydrogen peroxide is a type of acid that is pale blue to translucent in color. This disinfectant is available for OTC usage in smaller concentrations than those designed for industrial use. You can buy it in wipes or as a liquid to apply with a cotton ball.

It’s sometimes used to treat minor cases of the following conditions:

  • burns
  • cuts
  • infections
  • scrapes
  • seborrheic keratosis

Medical professionals no longer use this acid as a disinfecting agent. Hydrogen peroxide may inadvertently damage healthy cells around wounds that are needed for healing. A 2012 studyTrusted Source reported this negative side effect of using hydrogen peroxide occurred in in mice.

Proponents claim that its wound healing effects may translate to acne treatment and other skin issues like hyperpigmentation. Still, the dangers of the product far outweigh any potential benefits when it comes to your skin. These complications include:

  • dermatitis (eczema)
  • burns
  • blisters
  • hives
  • redness
  • itchiness and irritation

Aside from skin side effects, hydrogen peroxide can also cause:

  • toxicity or fatality when inhaled or swallowed
  • a potentially higher risk of cancer
  • damage to your eyes
  • internal organ damage

More serious risks are associated with higher concentrations and long-term use. If you get hydrogen peroxide on your skin, be sure to rinse the area thoroughly with water. You may need to rinse for up to 20 minutes if it gets in your eyes.

For bleaching skin, an older study reported that you need a concentration of between 20 and 30 percent. This is much higher than the 3 percent that’s considered safe for home use. The risks of burns and scars are far greater than any potential skin lightening effects.

Interest in hydrogen peroxide as a potential acne treatment is growing.

A hydrogen peroxide-based cream called Crystacide was just as potentTrusted Source as benzoyl peroxide with fewer cases of reported sensitivity. However, Crystacide only contains a 1 percent concentration and is part of a combination product.

Ask your dermatologist before purchasing OTC treatments. Some prescription formulas are also available.

What to use instead

Instead of taking a risk with hydrogen peroxide, there are other ingredients that have been researched and have been shown to be safe and effective.

Wound treatment

Wound treatment depends on whether you have a burn, scrape, or an open cut. Your approach to treatment should aim to stop any bleeding while protecting your skin so it can heal without becoming damaged or infected. Try the following steps:

  • Apply bandages or wraps.
  • Increase your intake of vitamin C.
  • Make sure you’re getting enough vitamin A and zinc in your diet.
  • Only take OTC pain medication (acetaminophen, ibuprofen) when necessary.

Acne and skin lightening treatment

You’ll first need to consider whether your pimples are caused by inflammation or not.

Blackheads and whiteheads are two types of noninflammatory acne. These may be treated with salicylic acid to get rid of extra dead skin cells that are trapped in your pores.

Inflammatory lesions, such as nodules, papules and cysts, may need benzoyl peroxide. Your dermatologist may recommend oral medications for more severe cases.

If you wish to lighten your skin from scars and other causes of hyperpigmentation, consider the following options:

  • alpha-hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid
  • hydroquinone, a bleaching agent
  • kojic acid, a more natural ingredient
  • vitamin C

Avoid using hydrogen peroxide

While hydrogen peroxide is sometimes used as a skin disinfectant, you should never use this product without consulting your doctor first. The pure formulas you can buy at the drugstore aren’t proven to be effective for any other skin concerns and conditions.

Talk with your dermatologist about other OTC products and professional procedures you might be able to use for acne, hyperpigmentation, and other skin care issues.

 

Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/drinking-hydrogen-peroxide

https://www.healthline.com/health/hydrogen-peroxide-skin

 

 

 

 

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