![]() Therefore, many will be unlikely to seek medical care. Most topical exposures to dilute hydrogen peroxide have very mild symptoms and resolve quickly with just decontamination. The patient’s presentation is going to depend on the type of exposure. Finally, concentrated hydrogen peroxide may be cytotoxic due to lipid peroxidation. Inhalation of hydrogen peroxide may cause severe issues due to tissue injury and airway irritation leading to potential airway compromise. If introduced into the bloodstream directly, it releases oxygen gas and can cause significant air emboli, including possible cerebral emboli. This gas is released both in the GI tract and in the bloodstream as hydrogen peroxide passes easily through biological membranes and crosses into nearby blood vessels. However, it will also release significant amounts of oxygen gas when exposed to the enzyme catalase, which is present in living tissue. Ingestion of concentrated hydrogen peroxide may also cause burns to the mouth, throat, and esophagus, as with ingestion of other caustics. As a concentrated solution, hydrogen peroxide is classified as caustic and can cause significant chemical burns. More concentrated hydrogen peroxide solutions, often found in industrial strength solutions, cause significantly more severe damage with all types of exposures. Toxicity from ingestion usually results from the release of oxygen gas when hydrogen peroxide comes into contact with catalase found in tissues. Similarly, ingestion of dilute hydrogen peroxide also usually results in milder symptoms and generally presents with possible injury to the mucous membranes, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Ophthalmic exposure can be very painful and may cause local injury to the cornea or conjunctiva. Symptoms are more significant when exposed to mucous membranes but are still mild. When exposed to skin, dilute hydrogen peroxide - as is found in most households, can act as an irritant, and symptoms are generally mild. The toxicity depends on the solution's concentration type of exposure. Hydrogen peroxide may be harmful with dermal or ophthalmic exposure, ingestion, wound or rectal irrigation, injection, or inhalation. Īs a disinfectant, it rapidly oxidizes, and the resultant free radicals damage proteins, DNA, and cell membrane lipids - both bacteria/viruses and tissue. However, these formulations are not supported by research to be effective and have caused great harm and even death. Higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide are available in some health food stores as a type of "hyperoxygenation therapy." This has been touted as an effective and safe alternative treatment for everything from cancer to mental illness. It is often used in the medical field as a disinfectant and irrigation fluid at the bedside and in the operating room. Home hydrogen peroxide is often used for cerumen removal, mouthwash, surface or fabric cleansing, and hair bleaching. Industrial concentrations can be as high as 70%, most commonly ranging between 27.5 to 70%. Household concentrations generally range from 3 to 9% and are most commonly found at 3%. As a chemical, it is used in bleaching, cleansing, and disinfecting processes in households and industries. ![]() Ride.Hydrogen peroxide naturally occurs in the body as a byproduct of cellular respiration.
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