Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most well-known disinfecting agents. Not only has the familiar brown bottle of hydrogen peroxide cleaned wounds for generations, but scientists are discovering new ways of using this amazing chemical.
The oxidative properties of hydrogen peroxide make it one hell of a chemical to combat all types of microbes, regardless of their kingdom. So this begs the question, how effective is hydrogen peroxide in treating the bacteria that affect sinuses?
Sinus, especially nasal sinus, is constantly subjected to the outside world and is coming into contact with millions of pathogens every day. So can you use hydrogen peroxide to enhance its prosperity functions, or is it just another hoax by H2O2 companies to sell more products?
We will be answering all those questions in the light of research and science and see if hydrogen peroxide lives up to its name!
Hydrogen Peroxide for Treating Nasal Infections – It’s Perfect!
For many people, the “disinfecting” label on hydrogen peroxide can be misleading. Because you see, hydrogen peroxide is not an average disinfecting agent. It does a fine disinfecting job without the commonly seen toxic byproducts.
The non-toxicity of hydrogen peroxide’s byproducts makes it a fantastic alternative for use on body surfaces. The mucosal lining of the nose is regularly exposed to many pathogens and dirt. And as it turns out, one of the most common ways of using hydrogen peroxide is through a nasal spray!
Anti-Bacterial Properties
The nasty bacteria are as dangerous as they are portrayed to be. The pathogenicity of bacteria is not only related to the harmful effects it has on the body, rather how widespread they are and the ease with which you can contract a bacterial infection.
Skin and mucosal surfaces of the nose and mouth are effective barriers against these sly pathogens. However, in cases like tissue trauma or an abundance of organisms, they manage to penetrate the skin barrier and travel inside the body.
One of the ways you can control their spread via wounds or nasal cavities is by regularly cleaning them with antibacterial agents. While there are many disinfecting agents which may help reduce bacterial growth or kill them off, the best antiseptic agent we can use for irrigating wounds is hydrogen peroxide.
The primary way hydrogen peroxide can fend off your body against these bacterial agents is by producing reactive oxygen species. They can change the chemical composition of bacterial cell walls and thereby kill them.
Moreover, the reactive oxygen hydrogen peroxide easily crosses bacterial cell membranes to react with inner genetic material like DNA. The DNA fragments are somewhat fragile and prone to oxidative damage. And the oxygen produced by hydrogen peroxide can do just that.
Anti-Viral Properties
The next intriguing property of hydrogen peroxide is its non-discriminating ability to react with a wide range of pathogens and effectively kill them all. The way hydrogen peroxide can kill bugs is so fundamental that minute viruses are prone to hydrogen peroxide action.
When it comes to causing diseases, viruses are on another level. Not only are they 100 times smaller than an average bacteria, but they have higher virulency as well. Viruses can easily cross nasal and mouth cavities, reach your inner organs and wreak havoc.
Some of the most common diseases like flu, cold, and pneumonia are caused by viruses. Other harmful diseases that are caused by viruses include AIDS, rabies, polio, measles, and mumps. Not only that but the organism responsible for the global pandemic of COVID-19 is also a virus.
So the importance of hydrogen peroxide becomes even more so considering how it can fend off the viral genome as well.
The oxygen molecules liberated by hydrogen peroxide can react with the protein coat of the virus and form insoluble products, leaving the viral genome unprotected from environmental damage.
Some viruses are encapsulated and have a glycoprotein coat over the surface. This makes the job of antiviral medicines even harder as the coat is tough and not easily penetrated. But not for hydrogen peroxide!
Hydrogen peroxide can react with the glycoprotein coat, as well as the exposed viral genome leading to an effective mechanism of elimination.
Using Hydrogen Peroxide as a General Nasal Rinse
Using hydrogen peroxide in the form of nasal sprays is one of the most well-researched claims in the market.
One of the studies published by none other than John Hopkins University points out how hydrogen peroxide vapors are highly effective in killing bacteria, especially multi-drug resistant bacteria like staph aureus.
Another added benefit of using hydrogen peroxide vapors is how easily you can perform the task at your homes, and get all the good oxygen action for yourself!
Ingredients
The ingredients you need for hydrogen peroxide therapy in the form of nasal rinse are pretty straightforward to acquire.
All you need is:
- A bowl
- Some freshwater
- A towel
- Nasal rinse bottle (optional)
- A bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide
Making the Solution
Making hydrogen peroxide solution for the nose is an easy yet important step. You have to be careful about the amount of hydrogen peroxide you are putting in the solution, as well as its concentration.
To make a hydrogen peroxide solution for nasal rinse, you should:
- Take a clean bowl and pour one cup of luke-warm water inside it
- Make sure the water you are using is not too hot, as it may burn the mucosal surface of the nose
- Take equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide in another cup and mix them
- You may start to notice some bubbling in the solution after pouring down hydrogen peroxide. That’s because of the ability of hydrogen peroxide to react with impurities
And that’s all there is to it! One thing you should keep in mind is that hydrogen peroxide will quickly start to dissociate once it has been introduced to warm water. So make sure to collect all the equipment and use the solution right away, instead of first making and then beginning the procedure.
How to Use
Now comes the tricky part, how to use the solution you just made to irrigate your sinuses effectively. However, with hydrogen peroxide, the task becomes so much easier as it automatically reaches the nooks and crannies of your nose once it has been introduced inside of the sinus.
To thoroughly rinse your nose with hydrogen peroxide, we recommend using a rinsing bottle that is equipped with a funnel that pours a hefty amount of solution inside your sinus. However, if you don’t have one, do not worry as we will show you how to perform it using just your hands!
All you need to do is:
- Take some hydrogen peroxide solution you just made, and pour it directly into the rinse bottle
- If you do not have one, pour it into a large bowl that can fit your hand perfectly
- Take your hand, and using the curvature of your palm, lift some of the solutions o your nose and let it reach up to its roof
- With either of ways, make sure you get plenty of the solution inside your sinus (almost one-fourth of a bottle or three scoops)
- Now blow your nose forcefully and watch as to how hydrogen peroxide drains all of the bacteria inside of the cavity
- Repeat the same step until you are out of the solution or start to feel light-headed
And that’s about it!
Make sure to see how your body responds to the hydrogen peroxide therapy. If you start to feel irritated just after one or two rinses, stop the procedure and dilute the solution more.
If you have an underlying respiratory problem, make sure to contact your doctor before performing the procedure at home.
Hydrogen Peroxide Nasal Rinse for COVID-19
Coronavirus is one of the most notorious names of the 21st Century. It has had a devastating impact on people’s lives and world trading since its outbreak in 2020.
Since then, scientists have been trying to find a cure or even preventive measures which might be helpful against this deadly virus.
Hydrogen peroxide’s remarkable anti-virulent properties are well-known, but how do they par against the deadly virus such as COVID-19? Let the research answer that question!
Studies
One of the most substantial pieces of evidence we can find in the case of hydrogen peroxide against the coronavirus is a study published by G Kampf (et. al).
This article clearly shows the antimicrobial action of hydrogen peroxide is effective against the novel coronavirus as a disinfecting agent. The study was conducted over a variety of inanimate objects and the impact of hydrogen peroxide over each of them in killing COVID-19. The results were encouraging and let people think how effective is hydrogen peroxide against the coronavirus that has entered the human body?
Unfortunately, no hard evidence has been found that can directly label hydrogen peroxide as the savior of mankind and as the foremost cure in treating coronavirus. However, it has shown some potential in studies published in Brazil and Mexico.
This article published in Mexico City shows how hydrogen peroxide therapy in the form of mouthwashes and nasal sprays prevented the spreading of infection in healthcare workers who were assigned to look after the COVID-19 patients. Moreover, some patients who were treated with the said therapy also showed a quicker recovery than those who did not.
Another concern people had with using hydrogen peroxide is the stigma of it causing burns and scars in some people. However, that concern was debunked by an article published in the journal of Epidemiol Health. This article labels 3% hydrogen peroxide as being completely safe for human use in the form of mouthwashes and nasal sprays!
Ingredients
All you need is:
- A bowl
- Some freshwater
- A towel
- Nasal rinse bottle (optional)
- A bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide
Making the Solution
The overall procedure for nasal rinse is pretty much the same as before.
To make a hydrogen peroxide solution for a nasal rinse for COVID-19, you should:
- Take a clean bowl and pour one cup of luke-warm water inside it
- Make sure the water you are using is not too hot, as it may burn the mucosal surface of the nose
- Take equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide in another cup and mix them
And that’s all there is to it!
How to Use
All you need to do is:
- Take some hydrogen peroxide solution you just made, and pour it directly into the rinse bottle
- In case it is not available, take your hand and, using the curvature of your palm, lift some of the solutions to your nose and let it reach up to its roof.
- With either of ways, make sure you get plenty of the solution inside your sinus (almost one-fourth of a bottle or three scoops)
- Now blow your nose forcefully and watch as to how hydrogen peroxide drains virus inside of the cavity
- Repeat the same step until you are out of the solution or start to feel light-headed
And that’s about it!
Hydrogen Peroxide Nasal Rinse for Nasal Polyps
Nasal Polyps are soft, pulpy, and noncancerous outgrowths of the epithelial lining of your nasal cavity that is commonly seen in the upper nostril wall.
On their appearance, nasal polyps are grape or tear-dropped shaped pink, red, or sometimes yellow growths and can be mistaken for tumorous growth of the nasal cavity. However, unlike tumors, they are commonly associated with allergies and flu.
These polyps frequently cause nasal congestion, sinusitis, and other breathing problems. So how can you get rid of them using hydrogen peroxide?
How Does it Work
Commonly, nasal polyps are small and resolve themselves. However, if they are large and restrict breathing, they can aggravate the condition by accumulating more mucus to the site and causing further blockage.
The primary way of managing nasal polyps is to control the bacterial growth associated with these tumors. As they cause blockage, the stagnant mucus becomes a great habitat of various types of bugs and can lead to further damage.
Both the treating and prevention of nasal polyps can be effectively done by hydrogen peroxide. It can not only manage the symptoms by killing off bacteria, but also reduce the inflammation to the nasal polyp site by reacting with cells.
Ingredients
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- A bowl
- Hot water
Making the Solution
To make a hydrogen peroxide solution for nasal polyps, you should:
- Take a clean bowl and pour one cup of steaming hot water inside it
- Make sure the water you are using is reasonably hot as you want to inhale the hot vapors that are formed by ut
- Pour 10 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide into the boiling water and let it mix
- Because of the ability of hydrogen peroxide to react with impurities, you may notice some bubbling
And that’s all there is to it! One thing you should keep in mind is that hydrogen peroxide will quickly start to dissociate, especially once it has been introduced to boiling water. So make sure to begin the procedure right away.
How to Use
All you need to do is:
- Take some hydrogen peroxide solution you just made and pour it directly into a large bowl that has enough surface area for proper inhaling
- Place your head directly over the bowl and let the steam rise to your nose, and let it reach up to its roof
- You can try to cover your head using a towel as you are inhaling the steam to create a nice compartmental effect
- With either of ways, make sure you get plenty of the solution inside your sinus
- Feel free to blow your nose forcefully into a tissue paper and watch as to how hydrogen peroxide drains all of the bacteria inside of the cavity
- Repeat the same steps until you are out of breath or start to feel light-headed
And that’s about it!
Hydrogen Peroxide Nasal Rinse for Sinus Infections
Sinus infections can range anywhere from the seasonal flu with a runny nose to a full-blown blockage caused by an allergy. The mechanisms behind them are quite different yet the outcome remains the same: accumulation of fluid inside the sinus cavity and bacterial infestation there.
Hydrogen peroxide is particularly effective in treating sinus infections. This can be attributed to the amazing antimicrobial properties it has!
Studies
Using steam water or a similar form of vapors is one of the traditional (and effective) ways of treating nasal congestion. However, with hydrogen peroxide, you can increase the effectiveness of the procedure two or even three-fold!
According to the researchers at John Hopkins University, using hydrogen peroxide in the form of cool-mist humidifiers (a machine used to make hydrogen peroxide vapors), showed amazing results against a multi-resistant dug bacteria outbreak in the hospital back in 2012.
Nonetheless, the amazing antimicrobial properties of hydrogen peroxide are well known, combined that with the beneficial effects of warm water, and you have got yourself an amazing tool for sinus infections
Ingredients
All you need is:
- A bowl
- Some freshwater
- A towel
- Nasal rinse bottle (optional)
- A bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide
Making the Solution
To make a hydrogen peroxide solution for a sinus, you should:
- Take a clean bowl and pour one cup of luke-warm water inside it
- Make sure the water you are using is not too hot, as it may burn the mucosal surface of the nose
- Take equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide in another cup and mix them
- This will give you a clean, clear liquid that you can use to irrigate your sinus and kill bacteria
That’s all there is to it!
How to Use
All you need to do is:
- Take some hydrogen peroxide solution you just made, and pour it directly into the rinse bottle
- If you do not have one, pour it into a large bowl that can fit your hand perfectly
- Take your hand and, using the curvature of your palm, lift some of the solutions to your nose and let it reach up to its roof
- With either of ways, make sure you get plenty of the solution inside your sinus (almost one-fourth of a bottle or three scoops)
- Now blow your nose forcefully and watch as to how hydrogen peroxide drains all of the bacteria inside of the cavity
- Repeat the same step until you are out of the solution or start to feel light-headed
- You should perform the procedure 2-3 times a day for a week to see results
What Concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide is Ideal for the Task at Hand?
The versatility of hydrogen peroxide is not just limited to antimicrobial activity. Rather, it is widely used in various household and industrial procedures. The plastic we use to the food we eat has some amount of hydrogen peroxide activity etched onto them.
This task at hand directly correlates with the concentration of hydrogen peroxide. It is available from the mild 0.5% to the astounding 90% concentrated solutions. The latter is used by aeronautical companies for rocket fuel!
When it comes to using hydrogen peroxide for nasal surfaces, a 3% concentration is more than enough. The inner mucosal lining of the nose is sensitive and can be irritated easily. So the concentration of hydrogen peroxide should not exceed 3%.
According to research, the best concentration of hydrogen peroxide for nasal sprays or mouthwash is 0.5-1% concentrated.
Precautions You Must Take While Working With Hydrogen Peroxide
Though irrigating your nasal cavity using hydrogen peroxide is a simple task and can be performed with the most basic of equipment, you should be mindful of the chemical. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild chemical but a chemical nonetheless.
The best advice you should follow is to make sure to check the concentration of hydrogen peroxide you are using. There are some bottles that contain 35% food-grade hydrogen peroxide. So make sure to check that and dilute it accordingly before using it as a nasal spray. As mentioned above, the best concentration to use for nasal surfaces is 0.5%-3% hydrogen peroxide.
The next thing you should always be mindful of is to make fresh batches for nasal irrigation every time you are performing the procedure. Hydrogen peroxide is a fragile chemical and easily dissociates into oxygen and water whenever it comes into contact with air or sunlight. So it is ideal to make a fresh set of solutions every time you have to perform nasal cleaning using hydrogen peroxide.
The final piece of advice we can offer you while using hydrogen peroxide for nasal sprays is to make sure how your body responds to the therapy. If you are feeling moderate to a severe burning sensation in your nasal sinus while performing the procedure, make sure to lower down the concentration or terminate the therapy.
If you have underlying respiratory conditions, make sure to check with your doctor before using hydrogen peroxide as a nasal spray.
The Final Verdict
Hydrogen peroxide is, without a doubt, one of the most versatile chemicals we have on the market.
It has constantly proved itself in all types of procedures, ranging from mediocre kitchen work to full-fledged industrial raw material. It is required by all and has stood the test of time.
Using hydrogen peroxide in the form of nasal rinse is just another innovative way of incorporating hydrogen peroxide into your routine. Research has shown how effective hydrogen peroxide is in treating sinus infections and even the notorious COVID-19!
So with the winters approaching and flu season just around the corner, grab your set of hydrogen peroxide bottles today!
