When it comes to taking care of cuts, scrapes, or more serious wounds, people often reach for whatever is in the bathroom cabinet or under the kitchen sink. Hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or even household bleach get mentioned as quick fixes. Unfortunately, while these products might kill germs, they can also harm the healthy tissue that your body needs to heal. That’s why wound care is best left to proven medical treatments – and to the professionals at the Wound Center of Tucson.

Two solutions that sometimes get confused in conversations about wound care are hypochlorous acid and Dakin’s solution. Both are antiseptics, meaning they fight bacteria, viruses, and fungi. But the way they work – and their usefulness in real-world care – are very different.

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is remarkable. Your body actually makes it naturally. White blood cells produce hypochlorous acid as part of the immune response, using it to destroy germs while protecting healthy tissue. When created in a laboratory and applied properly, HOCl is powerful against infection yet surprisingly gentle. In fact, it’s often described as the “ideal” wound cleanser.

The problem? Stability. Hypochlorous acid is fragile. Once bottled, it tends to break down quickly. That means it loses effectiveness if it sits on a shelf too long. For patients, that instability makes it less practical as an everyday solution, even though its qualities are unmatched.

Dakin’s solution, on the other hand, has been around for more than a century. Originally developed during World War I, it’s essentially diluted household bleach. In carefully prepared concentrations, it does an excellent job controlling infection. Unlike hypochlorous acid, Dakin’s solution is stable and can be stored for use in hospitals and clinics. But because it is, at its core, a bleach-based product, it can be harsh. If mixed incorrectly or used in strong amounts, it can injure healthy tissue and delay healing.

So what’s the takeaway for patients and families? First, both hypochlorous acid and Dakin’s solution are valuable tools when used properly. Second, and most importantly, wound care is not a do-it-yourself project. Attempting to mix your own solution at home is unsafe and can cause more harm than good. The strength and preparation of these cleansers matter enormously, and what is safe in a medical setting can be dangerous in a household setting.

If you or someone you care for has a wound, whether it’s a small cut that isn’t healing, a surgical incision, or a larger injury, the best first step is always to consult a qualified medical professional. Doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses can determine whether specialized wound cleansers are necessary, and if so, in what form and concentration.

The science behind products like hypochlorous acid and Dakin’s solution is fascinating, and in the right hands, both can save lives and preserve tissue. But medicine isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about careful choices made with safety in mind.

When in doubt, resist the urge to play doctor. Your body’s ability to heal is remarkable—but it heals best when supported by sound medical advice.

Call us today at (520) 319-6000 to find out how the Wound Care Center of Tucson can help you, or send an email and we’ll get right back to you.

This article appears in Aug 21-28, 2025.