Peroxide is water with an extra oxygen atom. It is an unstable compound that oxidizes easily, which is why it can kill bacteria and fungi, and also whiten things.
What is hydrogen peroxide normally used for?
There are several different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide that are used for different purposes:
- 1–5% — antiseptic for treating wounds, cuts, scratches.
- 3–6% — used to disinfect surfaces and as a component for contact lens cleaning. Peroxide is effective against bacteria, yeast, fungi , viruses, and spores.
- Up to 10% — hair lightening, coloring and perming. The substance in such concentration is also added to teeth whitening solutions.
- Above 35% – bleaching of textiles, paper and food products, production of chemicals, foam rubber and fertilizers.
Why do people drink hydrogen peroxide?
Disease prevention by drinking hydrogen peroxide is a method from folk medicine. Supporters of the method claim that when swallowed, the chemical compound breaks down into water and oxygen, which is immediately absorbed by cells. And, according to fans of the method, the solution destroys everything that prevents the body from functioning normally. Thanks to this, the procedure supposedly protects against arthritis, HIV, allergies, shingles, emphysema, warts , arrhythmia and even cancer.
The only thing that is true about this statement is that peroxide does break down into water and oxygen. But we have not found any evidence that this process helps in the treatment and prevention of diseases.
Is it safe to drink hydrogen peroxide
No, it is not safe. When hydrogen peroxide breaks down into oxygen and water, bubbles form. A person risks getting bloating, belching, vomiting , throat irritation. It can also result in burns to the mouth and internal organs.
A rare but serious complication is gas embolism. In this condition, hydrogen peroxide bubbles enter the bloodstream and clog vessels. As a result, a person has difficulty breathing, consciousness becomes confused, and chest pain appears. This is life-threatening, so the victim urgently needs an ambulance team.
Little is known about the long-term effects of taking hydrogen peroxide internally. Scientists do not yet know whether the solution can cause cancer or infertility.
What to do if you swallow hydrogen peroxide
A small amount of hydrogen peroxide diluted to 1% is unlikely to cause irreparable harm, but there are always risks. Therefore, if you or your child accidentally swallows the solution, you should still try to prevent the consequences:
- rinse your mouth and lips with clean water;
- drink 100-250 ml of water or milk to clear the esophagus faster, but do not try to induce vomiting;
- Call your doctor to see if there is anything you need to do next.
If the concentration of the solution you drank was 3% or more, call an ambulance at 103 or 112. While you are waiting for the doctors, do not take activated carbon . The product will not absorb the harmful substance, but in the hospital it will prevent doctors from performing an endoscopy and assessing the condition of the stomach.
How to really protect yourself from diseases
Scientifically proven methods help prevent diseases, most of which involve leading a healthy lifestyle.
- Maintain a healthy diet. You can get all the necessary vitamins and microelements from food. To do this, you need to eat fish and at least five servings of various fruits and vegetables every day, reduce your consumption of sweet, salty and fatty foods, add starchy carbohydrates with a high fiber content to your diet, such as potatoes, whole grain pasta and bread, cereals .
- Be physically active. This will help maintain a healthy weight and normal heart and blood vessel health. The World Health Organization recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Not only gym sessions count – you can go for walks, ride a bike, and dance.
- Maintain a healthy weight. This will reduce the load on your joints, help control your blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and improve your heart health. To figure out what you should aim for, you can calculate your body mass index: divide your weight by your height squared. A healthy index is between 18.5 and 24.9.
- Observe hygiene rules. Wash your hands with soap when you come in from outside, before eating and after using the toilet, do not bite your nails .
- Don’t share personal items. It’s better not to lend razors, sex toys, manicure scissors, and towels to anyone. This will reduce the risk of contracting HIV and other infectious diseases.
- Practice safe sex. You should use a condom every time you have sex, and if there is a risk that your partner is infected with a sexually transmitted infection, it is better to abstain from intimacy.
- Do not use injection drugs. And if this does happen, you need to choose disposable syringes and needles and not share them with other people.
- Quit smoking and drinking alcohol. This will reduce the risks of many diseases: arthritis, arrhythmia, diabetes, some types of cancer.
- Get vaccinated. Ask your doctor which vaccinations need to be updated. And consider getting vaccinated against oncogenic subtypes of the human papillomavirus. Two drugs are suitable for this : Gardasil and Cervarix.
Another important point of prevention is to see a doctor in a timely manner. If you don’t know where to start, sign up for a medical examination. During examinations, specialists check the heart and lungs of patients, take blood tests, and determine the risks of certain types of cancer.