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Why Hydrogen Peroxide Hurts
On the cause of pain caused by hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is widely used in medical treatment of wounds, but when applied to the wound, it often causes pain. Why is this?
Where the wound is covered, the skin is damaged, cells are damaged, and various defense mechanisms in the body are activated. Hydrogen peroxide, which is active, quickly decomposes and releases oxygen when exposed to the catalase contained in the wound tissue. Although this oxygen escape is beneficial for cleaning the wound and inhibiting anaerobic bacteria, it also causes a series of complex physiological changes.
On the surface of cells, there are many receptors and ion channels. When hydrogen peroxide acts, it may cause the opening and closing of ion channels to be abnormal. Calcium ions are crucial for cell signaling. Their abnormal flow can activate the pain receptors of nerve cells. Nerve cells are excited because of this, and pain signals are uploaded along nerve fibers to the brain, causing pain.
And when hydrogen peroxide decomposes, reactive oxygen species are produced. These substances are highly oxidizing and can damage the membrane structure, proteins and nucleic acids of cells. If the cell membrane is damaged, the intracellular environment will be unbalanced, and more ions will flow in and out, exacerbating the production of pain signals. Damage to proteins and nucleic acids affects the normal metabolism and repair of cells, and also indirectly promotes pain.
Furthermore, the inflammatory response at the wound begins, and immune cells tend to go. The effect of hydrogen peroxide may affect the activity of immune cells and the release of mediators. Inflammative mediators such as prostaglandin and histamine can sensitize nociceptors and make nerve cells more sensitive to pain stimulation. Even minor stimulation can trigger intense pain.
In summary, the pain caused by hydrogen peroxide is the synergistic effect of many factors such as its decomposition of oxygen production, generation of reactive oxygen species to damage cells, and influence on ion channels and inflammatory responses. Doctors should use it rationally and weigh the pros and cons in order to achieve a balance between treatment and pain reduction.
Hydrogen peroxide is widely used in medical treatment of wounds, but when applied to the wound, it often causes pain. Why is this?
Where the wound is covered, the skin is damaged, cells are damaged, and various defense mechanisms in the body are activated. Hydrogen peroxide, which is active, quickly decomposes and releases oxygen when exposed to the catalase contained in the wound tissue. Although this oxygen escape is beneficial for cleaning the wound and inhibiting anaerobic bacteria, it also causes a series of complex physiological changes.
On the surface of cells, there are many receptors and ion channels. When hydrogen peroxide acts, it may cause the opening and closing of ion channels to be abnormal. Calcium ions are crucial for cell signaling. Their abnormal flow can activate the pain receptors of nerve cells. Nerve cells are excited because of this, and pain signals are uploaded along nerve fibers to the brain, causing pain.
And when hydrogen peroxide decomposes, reactive oxygen species are produced. These substances are highly oxidizing and can damage the membrane structure, proteins and nucleic acids of cells. If the cell membrane is damaged, the intracellular environment will be unbalanced, and more ions will flow in and out, exacerbating the production of pain signals. Damage to proteins and nucleic acids affects the normal metabolism and repair of cells, and also indirectly promotes pain.
Furthermore, the inflammatory response at the wound begins, and immune cells tend to go. The effect of hydrogen peroxide may affect the activity of immune cells and the release of mediators. Inflammative mediators such as prostaglandin and histamine can sensitize nociceptors and make nerve cells more sensitive to pain stimulation. Even minor stimulation can trigger intense pain.
In summary, the pain caused by hydrogen peroxide is the synergistic effect of many factors such as its decomposition of oxygen production, generation of reactive oxygen species to damage cells, and influence on ion channels and inflammatory responses. Doctors should use it rationally and weigh the pros and cons in order to achieve a balance between treatment and pain reduction.
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