can-hydrogen-peroxide-kill-you
Bezzy communities provide meaningful connections with others living with chronic conditions. Join Bezzy on the web or mobile app.
Can't get enough? Connect with us for all things health.
How Dangerous Is Hydrogen Peroxide?Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical that comes in varying strengths. Chances are, you have a bottle of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide in your medicine cabinet.
You may use it to disinfect minor cuts, or to gargle with. If you swallow a tiny amount, it is not likely to hurt you. Drink too much, however, and you can become sick.
Stronger hydrogen peroxide solutions can be dangerous, or even fatal, if ingested or inhaled. They can also burn your skin and eyes.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about potential dangers from this common medicine cabinet staple.
Swallowing any amount of food-grade or industrial hydrogen peroxide is a medical emergency. If you have swallowed a significant amount of hydrogen peroxide of any strength, call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222.
If your baby or child swallowed any amount of any type of hydrogen peroxide, call Poison Control or dial 911 immediately.
You can also use the webPOISONCONTROL online tool for guidance.
Different types of hydrogen peroxideHydrogen peroxide can be purchased as a topical solution. It is also an ingredient in commercial products such as tooth whiteners and hair dye. The percentage of hydrogen peroxide in these products vary.
Hydrogen peroxide is available in many strengths or dilutions. In general, there are four main types:
Dangers of hydrogen peroxideHydrogen peroxide has the potential to cause injury or illness in several ways.
Ingestion of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide can cause:
Ingestion of hydrogen peroxide at 10 to 20 percent strength can cause the same symptoms. Internal burns are more likely to occur at this strength.
Ingestion of solutions of more than 20 percent can cause the same symptoms, as well as rapid loss of consciousness and respiratory paralysis.
According to Poison Control, gas embolism is a rare complication that can occur from drinking hydrogen peroxide of any strength. A gas embolism is caused by bubbles of gas or air that get into your circulatory system and block a blood vessel.
This serious complication can be fatal if not treated quickly. Symptoms of gas embolism include:
Skin contact with household strength hydrogen peroxide is typically not dangerous. It may, however, cause minor skin irritation to occur. This kind of hydrogen peroxide may also blanch your skin. This causes your skin to whiten or lighten temporarily.
Skin contact with higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can cause:
Breathing in household strength hydrogen peroxide can cause:
Breathing in vapors from hydrogen peroxide that is more than 10 percent can cause these same symptoms, plus:
“Food-grade” hydrogen peroxideSome people drink food-grade hydrogen peroxide because they are under the false assumption that it can cure conditions such as cancer and HIV. This is unproven — and inaccurate.
In fact, a
showed that hydrogen peroxide may slightly promote the growth or multiplication of cancerous cells. This makes it a possible cause of cancer.
It is dangerous to drink food-grade hydrogen peroxide, even if you dilute it.
TakeawayHydrogen peroxide that’s 3 percent is a common household staple used for disinfecting household surfaces, as well as minor skin wounds. It is also used as a mouthwash.
This type of hydrogen peroxide can cause minor symptoms to occur if ingested, touched, or inhaled.
More potent forms of hydrogen peroxide can be dangerous — or even fatal — to drink, breath in, or touch.
Hydrogen peroxide is not a cure for cancer, HIV, or any other disease.
Share this article
OUR BRANDS