Peroxide: FSA Eligibility

What is peroxide?

Peroxide is a chemical compound that in its purest form is a colorless liquid, and is very similar to the chemical composition of water, but features two oxygen atoms bonded together in its molecule. Peroxide is used in a variety of ways, most often as an oxidizer, disinfectant or bleaching agent, and its most common form is hydrogen peroxide which has the most basic chemical composition and is used in a variety of medical applications.

Hydrogen peroxide has been the go-to antiseptic for minor cuts, scrapes and burns for generations, and it works by releasing oxygen when it's applied to the affected area. This in turn will cause the liquid to foam up, which will remove dead skin that may still be present and disinfect the area to prepare it for a bandage or other wound dressing. Hydrogen peroxide is also extremely effective mouth rinse to remove mucous, to treat mouth irritation (canker sores, gingivitis, etc.) or to prevent infections after a tooth extraction by disinfecting these areas during each use. However, hydrogen peroxide should not be used for deep wounds, major burns or animal bites (WebMD).