Saturday, May 21, 2011

Hydrogen Peroxide for Treating Wounds

Hydrogen peroxide is the best known name of hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, formula (one more oxygen than water, which is H2O). Why use hydrogen peroxide for wounds?

Hydrogen peroxide Solution is used to treat and disinfect wounds because it is a strong oxidant such as chlorine (used for drinking water), but operates differently.
Strong oxidants act on both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms by destroying the outer membranes of microorganisms and therefore their integrity. The oxygen is released to react with and decompose organic matter, resulting in effervescence.

Hydrogen peroxide is mainly hydrogen and oxygen, but its chemical structure is very different. Peroxide is a highly reactive free radical if it is dangerous. At a concentration of 3% (as commercial solutions that are sold in pharmacies), their effect is not harmful but in higher concentrations if, as is also slightly acidic so it can be corrosive.

In principle it is not toxic to the body, but because it contains stabilizers (glycerol, urea, salicylic acid, lactic acid) and metals, it is recommended not to swallow, although none of the stabilizers that contains in its commercial form is harmful in sales the proportions in which it is used.
It was discovered in 1818 by French chemist Thenard and began to be used as hair bleach in 1867.

No comments:

Post a Comment