Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was recognized as a chemical in 1818 by Gay-Lussac and Thenard1 and introduced into medical practice by Richardson2 in 1856 as a disinfectant before asepsis was appreciated as a medical necessity. The irritating properties of H2O2 on the respiratory mucosa, the eyes, and skin was recognized. Swallowing of moderately concentrated H2O2 solutions induced internal bleeding.3(p176)H2O2 is commonly used for hair bleaching because it readily attacks the tyrosine components of the melanin complex. The failure of H2O2 to blanch melanin in the skin is thought to be related to its inadequate penetration into the deeper layers of the epidermis and possibly its rapid breakdown by catalase.3(p424)The major effects of H2O2 on the skin were noted by Gay-Lussac and Thenard.1 who observed burns and blistering of the skin with higher concentrations of H2O2 and whitening of the especially on the acral skin of hands and feet with more dilute solutions of H2O2 (Fig 1). Skin whitening is transient and often associated with a marked prickling and stinging sensation that quickly abates with cold water flushing.In contradistinction to the skin whitening, we recently observed a blanching phenomenon of the skin subsequent to application of a commercially available 3% solution of H2O2. The blanching is temporary and disappears spontaneously after 10 to 30 minutes. To our knowledge this phenomenon has not been described previously.