People should avoid inhaling large quantities of rubbing alcohol vapor, as this can have serious side effects. They should also avoid long-term use of rubbing alcohol on the skin. Drinking rubbing alcohol can cause poisoning and serious illness.
Because it's a gastrointestinal irritant, it can cause nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting blood. In addition, "due to having a higher molecular weight than ethanol, isopropanol, is more intoxicating than ethanol and can produce an altered sensorium, hypotension, hypothermia, and even cardiopulmonary collapse.
Flammable Surfaces
Rubbing alcohol is a highly flammable substance, so you should never use it to clean flammable surfaces, or areas that are exposed to open flames (such as a fireplace). It's also a smart idea to steer clear of surfaces that routinely get hot.
Don't use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on wounds or to control oily skin or acne breakouts. They're not effective and they can damage your skin, making the problem worse. Just use soap and water to clean a wound, and for acne, use an over-the-counter product with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
People should not apply isopropyl alcohol to the skin for any reason, as it can pass into the bloodstream and cause poisoning. Rubbing alcohol is better for use in first aid and to sterilize small objects or surfaces.
It Disinfects (Most) Things
Hospitals also sometimes use alcohol towelettes to get rid of germs on small surfaces like stethoscopes, scissors, and thermometers. Experts don't recommend using rubbing alcohol to sterilize medical and surgical equipment because it can't kill bacterial spores, which can lead to infection.
Hydrogen peroxide is another antiseptic, or disinfectant, that kills viruses and various forms of bacteria. But it needs more time than rubbing alcohol to kill germs. It takes up to five minutes to do its job. Hydrogen peroxide also can kill the virus causing COVID.
Generally, it is stated that ethanol is absorbed by human skin in a quantity described as "toxicologically negligible".
It is advisable to use protective gloves if extended contact with isopropyl alcohol is necessary and to moisturize the skin afterward to minimize irritation. Inhalation of isopropyl alcohol vapors can also cause respiratory issues. Breathing in the fumes can irritate the nose, throat, and respiratory tract.
Isopropyl alcohol and rubbing alcohol are not the same. Rubbing alcohol consists of isopropyl alcohol and some water. Sometimes it contains other additional ingredients. On the other hand, isopropyl alcohol is pure alcohol with little to no water and other ingredients.
Not only does alcohol make an excellent bedding and mattress disinfectant spray, but spraying alcohol on sheets also helps to eliminate unpleasant odors caused by sweat, spills, and other sources to leave your bed smelling nice and fresh.
In fact, good old dish soap works great for giving your toilet a scrub. You can also use plain, white vinegar or rubbing alcohol (about a cup or two of EITHER but NOT both) if you need a bit more sanitizing power.
The lethal dose of isopropyl alcohol is estimated as 160-240 ml (Ashkar and Miller, 1971) and 250 ml (McBay, 1973).
Using products with high alcohol content—and using them often! — dries up the skin, irritating it, and then resulting in thicker and darker skin. Shaving. Because it brings about mechanical trauma, shaving is seen as a main cause for dark underarms.
Athlete's Foot
Hydrogen peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide can kill fungus and bacteria on the foot's surface. Pour it directly onto the infected foot twice daily — it may sting and should bubble if you have open wounds. Rubbing alcohol: Similar to hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol can help fight fungi on the skin.
Topical rubbing alcohol is not carcinogenic.
Rubbing alcohol is also more potent than ethanol and is very quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.
Clean With Hydrogen Peroxide or Alcohol? FALSE. Using hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean an injury can actually harm the tissue and delay healing. The best way to clean a minor wound is with cool running water and mild soap.
While limited research suggests that witch hazel may be mildly effective against some types of bacteria, it is not an EPA-approved disinfectant against any viruses. Stick to store-bought disinfectants or, for DIY disinfecting, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, or isopropyl alcohol.
While the relative effectiveness of alcohol and bleach on bacteria and viruses does not vary greatly, it is important not to mix the two agents during cleaning.
Rubbing alcohol can be effective for removing nail polish when a cotton ball soaked in it is placed on the nails for a few minutes, softening the polish for easy removal. Similarly, hand sanitizer, rich in alcohol, may also work but might require more effort for thicker or layered polishes.
Another theory is that the act of sniffing the alcohol swab forces controlled breathing, which may help relieve nausea. No matter how inhaled isopropyl alcohol actually works, it's been shown to help reduce nausea, even in severely ill patients.