A simple hydrogen peroxide bath is an effective, inexpensive, and relaxing way to help relieve and disinfect skin infections of all kinds without damage or dryness to the skin.
My maternal Grandmother was an amazing traditional cook. Unfortunately, in her later years, she was unable to stand to do much cooking or baking. This was due to an unfortunate predisposition to leg ulcers which caused her great discomfort and a loss of mobility. A natural remedy that could have helped tremendously is a simple regimen of regular hydrogen peroxide baths.
The wonders of this healing, antiseptic protocol (not to be confused with bleach baths used for eczema treatment) was not well known at the time, however.
What is Hydrogen Peroxide?
In a nutshell, hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound that is a colorless liquid with the chemical abbreviation of H2O2. Â Most people know that the chemical abbreviation for water is H2O, which means two atoms of hydrogen joined to one atom of oxygen. It is easy then, to (incorrectly) assume that hydrogen peroxide is just water with an extra atom of oxygen. However, while the chemical names of the two substances are similar, water and hydrogen peroxide are very different!
The peroxide bond in hydrogen peroxide is represented by the two atoms of oxygen (O2). This bond is extremely volatile unlike the single oxygen atom in a molecule of water (H2O) which is very stable.
Most people don’t know that pure hydrogen peroxide will explode if heated to boiling. In addition, it causes serious contact burns to the skin and can set certain materials on fire with contact.
As a result, hydrogen peroxide can only be purchased by consumers as a dilute solution. For household use, the 3% hydrogen peroxide from the drugstore in a brown bottle works very well for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. I use this dilution strength along with white vinegar in a sinkful of water to clean pesticide residue off conventional produce when organic is unavailable.
Using H2O2 as a Natural Remedy
The very mild, dilute H2O2 solution can also be used as a very safe sanitizer for the body. For example, the toothpaste recipe recommended by a well-respected holistic dentist in my community to help resolve periodontal disease consists of baking soda mixed with 3% hydrogen peroxide.
I also use a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide applied with an eyedropper into my children’s ears after they go swimming in a pool or lake. They giggle and enjoy the bubbly sensation as the hydrogen peroxide oxidizes inside their ear canals, which is how its disinfection magic works.
Colloidal silver works well for this purpose too. However, avoid using ear candles.
Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide is Much Stronger!
In addition to the very dilute 3% hydrogen peroxide in the brown bottle, there is a food-grade hydrogen peroxide on the market that is helpful for use in detoxification bathing. Food grade hydrogen peroxide (12% or 35% dilution strength) is many times stronger than drug store H2O2 (3% dilution strength), so you must handle with care!
This type of hydrogen peroxide is not readily available in stores either, so you usually must special order or have it shipped to you online (source).
Please note that food grade hydrogen peroxide has gotten a bad rap in recent years as a natural remedy, primarily because of claims of its use for oxygenation therapy both internally and externally to treat everything from low energy to cancer.
These questionable uses of H2O2 are not in any way suggested or recommended by this article.
Instead, food-grade hydrogen peroxide can be added to warm bath water as a safe and effective way to help disinfect and heal skin infections of all kinds from the neck down.
The Hydrogen Peroxide Bath for Disinfection and Healing
Using food-grade hydrogen peroxide as a detoxification bath for healing and disinfection is recommended by Dr. Lawrence Wilson MD. (1)
In his practice, he has utilized peroxide baths with great success to eliminate infections of all kinds from the lower half of the body even including STDs. If you are considering using a peroxide bath for a yeast infection, however, note that an apple cider vinegar bath also works very well and possibly better for some people.
Dr. Wilson writes that a dozen or more peroxide baths may be needed over a period of a month or more to achieve desired and lasting results. However, he recommends that no more than 2 or 3 times weekly and never more than one in a single day should be attempted as this can be too much of a good thing and backfire with symptoms of fatigue, brain fog, and lethargy in general.
As mentioned earlier, my holistic dentist recommends a combination of H2O2 and baking soda to disinfect the mouth and gums, prevent gum disease and resolve periodontitis. He says it is one of the best ways to ensure you have all your teeth into old age.
Peroxide Bath Procedure
To commence a hydrogen peroxide cleansing bath, add one cup of food-grade hydrogen peroxide to a tubful of water that is hot but tolerably so. The bath does not need to be completely filled if the skin infections are on the legs or lower torso only, for example. (2)
It is more budget-friendly to get food grade hydrogen peroxide than use the brown bottle from the pharmacy that is diluted to 3%.
Note that COVID-19 has driven prices for H2O2 higher than normal. Be aware that you may be paying more in the short term due to limited availability issues.
How Long to Soak
Once you have the bath ready to go, relax in the tub for at least 40 minutes and up to one hour to give sufficient time for thorough disinfection of whatever skin infections you are attempting to heal.
When your peroxide bath is complete, get out of the bath and dry off. Â Do not rinse first.
The goal is to use as close to 1 cup of the food grade hydrogen peroxide without experiencing any burning sensation. This is not beneficial or helpful to the healing process.
A peroxide bath should be relaxing and enjoyable with no discomfort whatsoever. If you have sensitive skin, it is best to start with half a cup and see how you do.
If after getting into the bath, you experience any sort of mild itching or burning sensation, quickly add more warm-hot water to the tub to further dilute the peroxide.
Dr. Lawrence Wilson MD suggests that after a few months to at most a year, the majority of people will no longer require hydrogen peroxide baths for maintenance to keep infections at bay.
Peroxide Bath Cautions
As mentioned above, using more peroxide is not better. One to at most two cups per tubful should be used. If you find that any itching or burning in the peroxide bath occurs then add less, although use up to 2 cups max per bath if you can tolerate it comfortably.
Food grade hydrogen peroxide coming into direct contact with the skin is burning potentially causing harm to cells. This is why H2O2 is not recommended for use directly on wounds or for wound care in general. (3-5)
H2O2 will also bleach or burn through fabric quickly. Be extremely careful as you are pouring it into the bath. Replace the cap immediately when you are finished dispensing the desired amount. This prevents any accidental spills. Because of its corrosivity, it is best to use a glass measuring cup instead of a plastic one.
Like an Epsom salt bath, a hydrogen peroxide bath makes most people sleepy, so best to do it before a nap or at bedtime.
References
(1-2) Baths for Healing, Lawrence Wilson MD
(3) Hydrogen Peroxide: A Potential Wound Therapeutic Target?
(4) Why Does Hydrogen Peroxide Fizz On Cuts?
(5) Why You Should Not Use H2O2 Directly on Wounds
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Top 4 Cleansing Myths
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Rebounding Benefits
Juicing 101: Why Do It, Which Juicers are Best, Recipes to Try
I recently had an infection on a toe, and a nurse friend recommended rinses with alcohol or peroxide. When I mentioned the peroxide to my doctor, she was horrified. She said to absolutely never use peroxide on an infection, as it wipes away both the good and the bad bacteria. Would this not be the case, or not be a problem, if you’re soaking your whole lower body? Especially the…um… more delicate parts that have a very fine balance of bacteria?
Yes, peroxide is of course antiseptic to use. But, you won’t get rid of the infection if it isn’t thoroughly cleaned. Something to keep in mind is that this remedy is recommended by Dr. Wilson MD who is very alternatively minded. Sometimes, a remedy isn’t going to spare the flora unfortunately. The simple act of bathing with soap kills flora too, by the way. There are probiotic creams on the market now that you can use to help restore proper flora as needed.
Did you use 35% food grade Hydrogen peroxide for the bath / soak
Is this a good option for bad body odor??
A vinegar bath is better for body odor. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/best-vinegar-bath-for-detoxification/
Hi Sarah
How are you? I accidentally wrote to someone else on your site.
I have a sever fungus i got from my cat. I’ve had it for over 4 years now. Drs have given up on me. Their pills & ointments have gotten me sick. I have been finding relief from crushed raw garlic & store bought hydrogen peroxide. I successfully treated my cats with sulfer dips for animals.
Do you think the hydrogen peroxide baths will work for my condition? I have read contradicting info on hydrogen peroxide. For examples cures from using it & getting cancer from it.
Whats your take on this?
Thanks a million,
Carmen Woody from south Fl.
I also very a very sever fungus i got from my cat. I’ve had it for over 4 years now. Drs have fiven up on me. Their pills & ointments have gotten me sick. I have been finding relief from crushed raw garlic & store bought hydrogen peroxide.
Have you tryed these hydrogen peroxide baths & do you think they will work for my sever fungus?
I’m fighting a severe fungal infection from within my body as well as on skin. I heard about this remedy today from a close friend. Your information is so helpful, my friend couldn’t remember all the instructions. I have fungul/bacterial deep lesions mostly on legs, one on stomach and few on face. Very painful and I’ve hit rock bottom few times mentally over this (no dr would help) to point of suicidal thoughts. Today was my worst. Thank you from all my heart for your post
Hello Sarah,
I’ve been using the 35% H2O2 food grade for many things over the past few months and now that I’m 3 months pregnant I’ve stopped. I recently got bit and it has taken a turn for the worst. I am wanting to do a wam bath with a cup of 35% but not sure if it’s safe. I don’t see why it wouldn’t be but wanted to ask just in case.
I did start the 30 day cleanse the second week I conceived and it did not effect the baby.
Thank you for your time
Hi Sarah,
Thanks so much for the info. So if I’m understanding correctly, the product is 35% reduced to 12%. So, if I wanted to follow your instructions and add 1 cup of 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide, I would actually use 3 cups of the product in the link. Do I have that right?
Thanks a ton!
The product is 35% with a dropper bottle that you use to reduce to 12% if you like. Don’t use the dropper bottle if you want to use the 35% strength and then you can use the instructions in the article. If you dilute to 12% using the dropper bottle then yes you would use 3 times as much.
Hi there,
What brand of Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide do you recommend? Your source link is dead.
Thanks!
It’s this one. https://amzn.to/2zPlw6N
Thanks for the heads up, I’ll fix the link.