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Can Hydrogen Peroxide Be Used To Prevent Infection?

Posted on Thu, 7 Jul 2016

Question: Everyone says not to utilize hydrogen peroxide to prevent infection because it kills living cells as well, but what do you need to do for a deep avulsion/ laceration that probably should have had stitches to prevent infection and ensure the wound will heal.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It should be stitched.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

This wound can be rinsed with hydrogen peroxide or an alcohol or Octaniline (the last seems most effective). Hydrogen peroxide is still used and it works great. No doubt in that. It can cause some tissues destruction but this is not harmful.
And definitely you should have it stitched. Please consult general surgeon as soon as possible.
If the wound has been caused by a dirty object, you should also get tetanus vaccination.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (4 minutes later)

What about closing it with a butterfly bandage. I realize that it should have had stitches, but it has already been over 24 hours. My main question was about continued treatment without stitches to ensure that the wound doesn't get infected

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Bandage is fine.

Detailed Answer:
Well, than it is too late for stiching indeed.
Bandage is fine. You can wash it with mentioned agents daily. If you dont have any of this agent, water and soap should also deal with it. The truth is that such wounds do not need much care. Healthy immune system can easily fight superficial infection.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar