Why Hydrogen Peroxide Shouldn’t Be In Your First Aid Kit

The fizzing may be fun, but it’s not helping you heal

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When I was a child, hydrogen peroxide was a staple of our family’s first aid kit. The dark brown bottle contained clear liquid that stung and bubbled when applied to cuts or scrapes. “Don’t worry,” I was told when I complained about the sting. “It kills bacteria, so your wound…