Hydrogen peroxide is sometimes used on superficial wounds Al

Hydrogen peroxide is sometimes used on superficial wounds. Although it is not a very good antiseptic, it is good for dirty wounds. Explain why this is so.

Solution

The hydrogen peroxide potentially cause cell cycle arrest of bacterial cell division and generate \"superoxide and oxygen free radicals\", which are highly reactive and causes lysis of proteins. So that, it is acts as a good inhibitor of Staphylococuus growth on dirty wounds, an essential anti-septic activity. The anti-septic properties of ethanol and hydrogen peroxide vary with their concentrations. Hydrogen peroxide is good at 3% H2O2 is demonstrated as good anti-septic towards gram- positive bacteria, and it is ineffective or less effective below this dilution. Catalase containing bacteria are generally resistant to H2O2.