Manipal: 30% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can be utilized as a chemical cauterant in seborrheic keratoses (SKs) patients with minimal side effects, a recent study has found. The study, published in the International Journal of Dermatology, suggests that H2O2 30% can serve as a relatively inexpensive modality for SKs treatment.
Seborrheic keratosis is a common noncancerous (benign) skin condition. It becomes common in people as they get older. Seborrheic keratoses are usually black, brown, or light tan. The growths (lesions) look waxy or scaly and slightly raised. They appear gradually, usually on the neck, face, back, or chest. They are harmless and not contagious. They don't require treatment, however, if they become irritated by clothing or become bad in appearance it may be removed.

Hydrogen peroxide has been used as an antiseptic in medicine but at a higher concentration of 40%, it is used as a chemical cauterant for seborrheic keratoses. Therefore, at 30% its action and utility remain unexplored. Punya Suvarna and Manasa Narayan Kayarkatte from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India, therefore aimed to investigate the efficacy and side effects of 30% H2O2 as a chemical cauterant in seborrheic keratoses.
For this purpose, the treatment of seborrheic keratoses was done at 30% H2O2 methodically. Following the treatment, the assessment was done for patient satisfaction, lesion thickness, and side effects like itching, burning, vesiculation, crusting, ulceration, erosion, and pigmentary changes.
Based on the study, the researchers reported the following:
Complete clearance was observed in 49% of lesions, after a single session.
9% of lesions responded poorly. Patient satisfaction was excellent with 66.7% lesions.
Side effects noted were burning, pruritus, erythema, edema, and crusting. However, none of them was severe. Dryness, vesiculation, and scarring were reported by none.
This led researchers to conclude, "H2O2 30% can be used as a chemical cauterant with minimal side effects."
Reference:
Suvarna P, Kayarkatte MN. Utility of 30% hydrogen peroxide in the treatment of seborrheic keratosis. Int J Dermatol. 2022 Sep;61(9):1113-1116. doi: 10.1111/ijd.16096. Epub 2022 Jan 30. PMID: 35094378.