Some wound disinfectants are not as crystal clear as hydrogen peroxide: One more reason why it seems to be the more preferred wound cleanser by many households. The other reason why you’d go with hydrogen peroxide is because it doesn’t leave as much pain on the wound as the other disinfectants.

Peroxide is used as a popular disinfectant to wounds and house ware.  Peroxide contains 5% hydrogen peroxide or less. Using it on your wound produces bubbling with a bit of pain. And when it does you get this feeling that the wound is cleansed.

Reasons why peroxide bubbles

It should be clear by now why hydrogen peroxide bubbles when it comes in contact with your wound:  

1. Your blood has an enzyme called catalase. Your cut has damaged cells that have catalase, so when it blends with peroxide it results in bubbles.  What happens is that the catalase turns hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into water and oxygen gas.

2. Staphylococcus in your wound. They are found in all skin infections.  They belong to group A streptococcus. When  they react with peroxide and catalase in your blood’s neutrophil, bubbles result.

3. Bacteria. They are natural residents of your skin, but they are not abundant so long as your skin is kept clean all the time. The bubbles that are formed are actually oxygen bubbles coming from the catalase. When you put hydrogen peroxide on a slice of potato you see bubbles forming too.

What happens hydrogen peroxide on your wound

Hydrogen peroxide is less stable than water. In its normal state, hydrogen peroxide usually frees up a spare oxygen atom but it requires energy to start this process.  Apparently, your blood has that energy in the form of catalase. This helps in the consummation process but doesn’t get consumed itself.  What it does is  lower the energy requirement to break down hydrogen peroxide.  Hydrogen peroxide releases extra oxygen to become water. The free oxygen blends with oxygen from air to form two molecules of oxygen.

Uses of hydrogen peroxide

Aside from wound cleaning, hydrogen peroxide has many other uses, most of which are for home use:

1. As toothbrush cleaner. Hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria on the bristles and thus stops the spread of germs to other members of your family.

2. Shower cleaner. You need not bathe in hydrogen peroxide. What you do is spray hydrogen peroxide into the shower. Notice that even bugs and little insects get killed.

3. Washing dishes. Mix 3% Hydrogen peroxide with your dish washing liquid and it  can stop airborne bacteria dead in their track–so colds and flu don’t spread out further in your home.

4. Washing meat. With salt, hydrogen peroxide becomes a potent bacteria killer in chilled meat.

5. Cleansing of vegetables: With a pinch of salt, hydrogen peroxide, and cold water, you can rinse bacteria and germs off your favorite green leafy vegetables. Not only that—hydrogen peroxide keeps them fresh as well.

After a peroxide burn comes a cold feeling. But don’t be quick to blow your wound—unless you’re sure your mouth is equally clean.