While some people will clean a wound with alcohol most people choose to use hydrogen peroxide because it does not burn. However, if it gets absorbed into the skin it can actually cause more harm than good. Peroxide is made up of hydrogen and oxygen.

Is it bad if hydrogen peroxide burns?

While it might initially kill off some bacteria, hydrogen peroxide can be mildly irritating to your skin. Plus, it may damage some of your skin cells and risk the process of new blood vessel production.

What does it mean if hydrogen peroxide stings?

When you dab hydrogen peroxide on a cut, that white, fizzling foam is actually a sign that that the solution is killing bacteria as well as healthy cells.