Hydrogen peroxide is a common household cleaner that can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and digestive system. Fortunately, household products contain a low concentration of the active ingredient; in most cases, irritation or burns can be easily treated by running fresh water over the affected area. If, on the other hand, the detergent contains a high percentage of hydrogen peroxide, it is necessary to go to the emergency room for urgent medical attention, although it is quite rare for serious or lasting injuries to occur.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Treating the Skin Burn
Step 1. Find the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the product
Knowing this information helps you define the most suitable treatment for your situation, whether it is a burn of the skin, eyes or digestive system. Read the label for this information.
- Most household detergents contain 3% hydrogen peroxide and 97% water; in this case, the possible irritations are minor, such as a stinging sensation and / or skin whitening, but it is possible to treat them almost always by simply running fresh water on the affected area.
- The concentration of hair lightening products is around 6-10% and these substances are more dangerous than standard cleaning products.
- Solutions for industrial use have a percentage of active ingredient ranging from 35 to 90% and can cause chemical burns that require immediate medical attention; you may notice blisters forming on the skin. If you have come into contact with these industrial products, call 118 immediately.
Step 2. Remove any clothing that has become soaked in hydrogen peroxide
Clear the sore or burned area of contaminated clothing as soon as possible, especially if you have been exposed to highly concentrated substances. Remove any clothing, jewelry or other accessories soaked or wet with the irritant solution; put them in plastic bags if the peroxide concentration is 10% or more.
Step 3. Rinse your skin with cold water for at least 15 minutes
Hold the affected skin under running water to remove any irritant and relieve pain. Holding the affected area under the tap is effective for treating relatively small areas of the body; if the affected area is larger or if the product contains a high dose of hydrogen peroxide, it is necessary to take a thorough cold shower.
Step 4. Gently wash the affected skin and apply an ointment or gel
Chemical burns caused by hydrogen peroxide can be treated like heat burns. Keep running cold water until the pain subsides, use a mild soap to carefully wash the skin, and finally apply an antibacterial ointment.
- Don't rub or break any small blisters that may develop;
- To soothe the discomfort, you can also spread a layer of aloe vera gel.
Step 5. Contact your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms in the first 24 hours after the accident
Pay attention to any signs that may develop within the first day of exposure to the active ingredient, such as aggravated redness, irritation and pus or discharge from burned skin; if you have any of these symptoms, go to your doctor for a check-up.
Make an appointment with your family doctor, contact the doctor who provided first aid again or go to the emergency room for a later check
Part 2 of 3: Managing an Eye Irritation
Step 1. Remove your contact lenses
If you are wearing them and can remove them easily, do so immediately; once extracted, start rinsing your eyes. If you are having difficulty removing your lenses, ask for help from someone you trust nearby or see medical personnel.
Step 2. Rinse your eyes with cold water for at least 15 minutes
Wash your hands well, too, to make sure they aren't contaminated with traces of hydrogen peroxide. Bend under the tap and continue running cold water over your eyes for 15-20 minutes; if you can't wash them under a sink, consider taking a cold shower.
You can also try rinsing them using 0.9% saline solution; if you have this product available, check the percentage of salt on the label
Step 3. Check your vision and check for corneal damage
Once you have rinsed with water and / or saline, you need to make sure that your vision has not been impaired. If your vision is unusually blurred or you notice any visual field limitations, seek immediate medical attention; Also ask someone to check for any abrasions or deformities on the ocular surface, and if you notice anything abnormal or other damage, go to the emergency room immediately.
Step 4. See an ophthalmologist promptly
If you have exposed your eyes to hydrogen peroxide in any concentration, you should visit your specialist doctor as soon as possible. In case of contact with the highly concentrated active ingredient it is necessary to go to the emergency room immediately, as the cornea could burn quickly. If you notice any changes in your vision or show signs of abrasions or other damage, ask someone to accompany you to the hospital; afterwards, make an appointment for a follow-up visit with the ophthalmologist.
Part 3 of 3: Dealing with Oral or Internal Exposure
Step 1. Make sure the victim is breathing and has a heartbeat
Ingesting a large amount of hydrogen peroxide or a highly concentrated formulation can cause breathing difficulties. If the victim has lost consciousness and is short of breath, not breathing at all, or has no pulse, you or someone qualified to perform CPR and call an ambulance immediately.
Even if he is able to breathe and it is not necessary to proceed with this technique, the healthcare professional can still provide an oxygen mask in case of ingestion of hydrogen peroxide, especially if in high concentrations
Step 2. Call the emergency services
If the victim has ingested a high or very concentrated dose of peroxide for home use, the intervention of qualified personnel is essential; you can call the ambulance or poison control center in your city.
Be prepared to indicate the victim's age, weight and condition; inform the telephone operator of the name of the product that has been ingested and the concentration of the dangerous substance. Also inform him of the time of ingestion and the dose
Step 3. Drink a glass of water or milk
An amount of about 120 or 240 ml can help reduce the damage, in the case of a small amount of hydrogen peroxide for home use; when the quantity or concentration is greater, you still need to drink water or milk, but make sure you also call the emergency services as soon as possible.
If only your mouth has come into contact with the substance, try repeated gargle with cold water
Step 4. Do not induce vomiting or take activated charcoal
Although hydrogen peroxide can cause this, you should not induce the victim to reject if he does not do it spontaneously; also rule out the possibility of ingesting activated charcoal, as it has no effect on the hydrogen peroxide present in the stomach.
