Rubbing alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is a liquid prepared for topical application to skin usually consisting of isopropyl alcohol with a small admixture of methyl alcohol. Some mixtures use ethyl alcohol in part or whole substitution for iso-propanol.

Related Topics:
Topical - Isopropyl alcohol - Methyl alcohol - Ethyl alcohol

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Rubbing alcohol is poisonous and can cause permanent disabling illness or death if drunk. Rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly and is used to cool and soothe skin. It is also used to sterilize surfaces but should be used with great caution near cuts and abrasions. It is occasionally used to harden skin such as in the case of the feet of novice hikers.

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It is unsuited as a fuel in alcohol stoves because of the relatively low vapor pressure of isopropyl alcohol.

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In the UK the equivalent material is surgical spirit which is always based on ethyl alcohol and which often has the addition of small quantities of iodoform as a topical bacteriocide.

Related Topics:
UK - Surgical spirit - Ethyl alcohol - Iodoform

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