hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a small molecule chemical compound (H2O2) widely used as an antiseptic, disinfectant, and bleaching agent. Medically, it is applied topically to prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns and can be used as a mouth rinse for oral debridement or minor mouth irritation. It acts by releasing oxygen upon contact with tissue fluids; this foaming action helps remove debris and dead tissue from wounds. Its primary mechanism of action is the generation of free hydroxyl radicals through oxidative reactions (notably the Fenton reaction), which cause oxidative damage to proteins, membrane lipids, and DNA in microorganisms—resulting in broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity[1][2][5]. Hydrogen peroxide is also used industrially for disinfection/sterilization and as a bleaching agent[8]. It has been approved for topical use on skin lesions such as raised seborrheic keratoses[3][4].

Brand names

Peroxyl

Other names

H2O2H-2O2H 2O2perhydrol