In the article, consider the shelf life of hydrogen peroxide.
Among the most affordable drugs, hydrogen peroxide stands out, which is a universal medicine for the treatment of various ailments and is distinguished by its multifunctionality, simplicity and low price.
What is hydrogen peroxide?
The chemical composition of peroxide contains 2 atoms of oxygen and hydrogen. It is commercially available in the form of an aqueous solution with concentrations of the active element of 3 or 5%. It is a colorless, odorless liquid. Peroxide is characterized by an unstable formula; in the light it decomposes with the release of oxygen. Other concentrated forms are hydroperite in the form of tablets and perhydrol - used as a hair lightener or for disinfection of premises.
Indications forapplications of hydrogen peroxide will be described below.
Healing properties
The positive properties of hydrogen peroxide for people are very wide, because this medicine is universal and used for many purposes. The activity level up to 0.3% acts bacteriostatically, and up to 3% - as a bactericidal substance. The same concentration has a deodorizing effect, and if you act on the skin with a pure concentrate, you can get irritation, burns and depigmentation.
Mechanism of action
The mechanism of action of this agent is the interaction of human tissues with the release of molecular oxygen, the tissues contain the enzyme catalase, which breaks down the composition, and oxygen participates in the oxidation process, accompanying it with pronounced foaming. Such foam mechanically cleanses the damaged surface, removes pus, microbes, dead cells, and stops bleeding.
It is important to respect the expiration date of hydrogen peroxide.
Area of use and indications
Traditionally, the drug is used for:
- gynecological diseases;
- washing wounds;
- dental rinses;
- angina;
- various bleeding.
In informal folk medicine, peroxide is used to:
- cancer treatment;
- cleansing the body;
- teeth whitening;
- treatment of acne, rashes, papillomas.
Storage conditions
Expiration datehydrogen peroxide is primarily dependent on proper storage.
Depending on the packaging, this medicine may have different expiration dates. That is why the containers in which the substance is sold - dark glass and opaque polyethylene bottles, are considered the safest.
This greatly affects the shelf life of hydrogen peroxide.
It must be taken into account that the higher the concentration of peroxide, the more carefully you need to consider the requirements for its storage. Peroxide tends to decompose due to exposure to certain impurities. As a result, water and gaseous oxygen are formed.
Refrigerated storage
Small concentrations of peroxide should be stored in dark places at a temperature not exceeding 23 degrees. The most suitable place is a refrigerator. The shelf life of hydrogen peroxide after opening the bottle is 30 days.
It is strictly forbidden to contaminate the product by lowering various objects into the container. Such contact will lead to decomposition and deterioration of the drug. High concentrations can be stored up to 3 years.
Negative factors
The most important factors that contribute to the acceleration of decomposition are:
- elevated pH;
- high temperature;
- direct UV rays;
- presence of metal s alts and other unnatural impurities in the solution.
How to store hydrogen peroxide, it is important to find out in advance.
The last factor is especially important, because being a strong oxidizing agent, perhydrol can easily corrode the skin and mucous membranes. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the preparation from contamination.
If you store the drug in its original container, it will be useful for a long time without much loss of oxygen.
Below, consider the indications for the use of hydrogen peroxide and instructions.
Instructions for use
Hydrogen peroxide is a drug, and therefore you should carefully study all the information about it before using it. The drug is an antiseptic, antioxidant without sterilization function. The rules of application depend on the purpose - for various pathologies it is used in different ways.
- Douching for gynecological diseases involves the use of a 3% solution, which must be injected into the vagina with a special syringe. You can carry out this procedure after unprotected sexual contact, as well as treat inflammation and damage to the mucosa with this remedy. Comprehensively, it is necessary to douche and take drugs based on lactobacilli, this will help restore the pH of the vagina, and prevents the development of colpitis. Douching should be done in 7-10 doses. To do this, you need to take 300 ml of boiled water, in which dilute 100 ml of peroxide, and inject the solution into the vagina. What else is hydrogen peroxide used for?
- Mouth rinse. For colds, it is useful to rinse your mouth with peroxide. For gum disease orthe occurrence of toothache, as well as a viral infection of the pharynx, 3 teaspoons of the drug are added to 50 ml of water. Peroxide effectively removes plaque from the tonsils, which effectively helps with sore throat.
- Rhinitis treatment. Specialists can prescribe such therapy not only for colds, but also for allergic or viral rhinitis. A 3% solution is instilled into the nose, diluted twice with water.
- Treatment of wounds with hydrogen peroxide. Peroxide differs from a solution of brilliant green or iodine in that the patient does not experience discomfort and severe burning. The advantage of the use of peroxide can be considered the absence of color, the inability to get dirty, as well as the ability to stop the blood. For self-treatment of the wound, moisten a cotton swab in a peroxide solution and briefly apply it to the injury site. If the wound is large, you can flush it with a stream of hydrogen peroxide.
- Treatment of nail fungus. To do this, cut the nail and immerse the limb in a 1:1 solution of water and peroxide for 30 minutes. After the procedure, the nails must be dried and left in the fresh air - do not cover them with socks or shoes. The procedure is recommended to be carried out daily until the symptoms are completely eliminated. If skin irritation occurs, treatment should be discontinued.
- Enema. The use of this medicinal substance inside is prohibited, however, traditional medicine claims that an enema with peroxide quickly relieves intestinal pathologies. For therapy, it is necessary to cleanse the intestines, 4 teaspoons of peroxidedissolve in a liter of boiled water. The solution is administered orally and held there for up to 3 minutes, so that during this time it is absorbed in the intestines. Such enemas are prohibited for diseases of the rectum, anus.
- With otitis media. Hydrogen peroxide is good for this disease. For treatment, it is necessary to dilute 15 drops of peroxide in 30 ml of water, pour ½ of the solution into the ear. After 15 minutes, gradually tilt your head and let the solution flow out. This recipe also helps with hearing loss - softens wax plugs that can interfere with normal hearing.
- Treatment of sinusitis. In the treatment of this pathology, only a 3% solution is used, otherwise it is possible to disrupt the structure of the mucosa and further aggravate the condition. A solution of two drops of peroxide in a spoonful of water is instilled into the nose. This helps not only with sinusitis, but also with headaches.
- Cleansing the body. To get rid of slagging and toxins, you need to start with 2 drops in 2 tablespoons of water 3 times a day. Then the dosage is gradually increased to 10 drops. Drink the cleansing solution on an empty stomach.
