Swan-Brand Hydrogen Peroxide Is Falsely Advertised, Class Action Says

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A proposed class action argues that Swan-brand 3% hydrogen peroxide is falsely touted as able to prevent the risk of infection for minor cuts, scrapes and burns.

The 16-page lawsuit says that defendant Vi-Jon’s infection-prevention claims for Swan hydrogen peroxide are “misleading” given studies have shown that the product “destroys a greater amount of beneficial bacteria and the surrounding skin tissue,” causing slower healing. 

“While hydrogen peroxide has antiseptic properties, the Mayo Clinic and numerous medical studies advise that it does not help treat minor cuts and abrasions and causes more harm than good,” the complaint says. 

Per the complaint, the representation that Swan hydrogen peroxide is “[f]or treatment of minor cuts & abrasions” tells a consumer that the product will assist in the healing process and shorten the amount of healing time. The case contends that hydrogen peroxide has been shown to be ineffective at reducing bacterial counts and rates of wound infection, and that it may destroy “a greater amount of positive bacteria” than harmful bacteria. 

“Other studies confirm hydrogen peroxide causes increased risk of infection and corrosive tissue damage and irreversibly worsens scaring,” the lawsuit claims. 

According to the filing, the “fizzing reaction” produced when hydrogen peroxide is applied to a minor wound or abrasion “may look like germ-killing” but is actually harmful to the skin cells responsible for healing. 

Further, the case urges that if a cut is serious, antiseptics such as hydrogen peroxide should not be applied. 

The lawsuit claims that the value of Swan-brand 3% hydrogen peroxide is materially less than represented by Vi-Jon.

The suit looks to cover consumers in Illinois, Alabama, South Carolina, Wyoming, Delaware, Alaska, West Virginia, Arkansas and Oklahoma who bought Swan-brand hydrogen peroxide within the applicable statute of limitations period.

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