hydrogen peroxide at a glance
Medicine class
Oxidising antiseptic and disinfectant
Skin use
The cream treats susceptible superficial skin infections; avoid healthy skin and large or deep wounds.
Solution use
The solution was licensed as a mild skin disinfectant, mouthwash or gargle but is listed as discontinued.
Avoid the eyes
Eye contact can cause serious injury, particularly with stronger solutions.
What is hydrogen peroxide used for?
Uses differ by formulation:
Cream: treatment of primary and secondary superficial skin infections caused by susceptible organisms.
Solution: mild disinfection of minor skin injuries and use as a mouthwash or gargle. This product is listed as discontinued.
How does hydrogen peroxide work?
Hydrogen peroxide releases reactive oxygen species and rapidly breaks down into water and oxygen. Oxidation damages microbial cell components, while released oxygen causes bubbling on contact with tissues.
hydrogen peroxide preparations and strengths
Cream
Route: Cutaneous
Strengths: 1%
How to take hydrogen peroxide
Use only by the route stated on the label. Apply the cream externally to affected skin; a dry film may form and can be washed away with water. Do not apply it to healthy skin or large or deep wounds, and avoid the eyes. Do not swallow mouthwash or gargle preparations or use hydrogen peroxide inside closed body cavities or surgical wounds.
Wash your hands after applying the cream unless they are being treated.
Hydrogen peroxide can bleach fabrics.
Do not combine it at the application site with iodine, permanganates or stronger oxidising agents.
hydrogen peroxide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Brief, mild burning after applying the cream
- Local skin irritation
- Temporary whitening of skin after contact with a solution
- Temporary tongue swelling reported with continued mouthwash use
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe or persistent pain, blistering, ulceration or chemical burns
- Eye pain, marked redness, sensitivity to light or visual disturbance
- Breathing difficulty, chest symptoms, confusion or collapse after significant exposure
hydrogen peroxide in pregnancy
Product information advises using the selected products during pregnancy only under medical guidance. Direct pregnancy data are sparse; ask a pharmacist, midwife or prescriber before use, particularly on damaged or extensive skin.
hydrogen peroxide while breastfeeding
Topical hydrogen peroxide can be used while breastfeeding a full-term, healthy infant because systemic absorption is limited. Avoid infant contact with treated skin and seek specialist advice for a premature or unwell infant; selected product information recommends medical guidance.
hydrogen peroxide interactions
The main concerns are local chemical incompatibilities rather than systemic medicine interactions.
Iodine preparations
Do not use at the same site because the cream is chemically incompatible with iodine.
Permanganates
Do not combine at the application site because they are chemically incompatible.
Other strong oxidising agents
Avoid using them together at the application site because of chemical incompatibility and potential tissue irritation.
Common questions about hydrogen peroxide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is hydrogen peroxide an antibiotic?
No. It is an oxidising antiseptic that acts locally against microorganisms rather than a conventional antibiotic.
Can it be used on an open wound?
Use only as directed on the product label. The cream must not be used on large or deep wounds, and hydrogen peroxide must not be introduced into surgical wounds or closed cavities.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.