Everything You Need to Know About Rubbing Alcohol

What is Rubbing Alcohol?

Rubbing alcohol is a common disinfectant found in most American homes. Although the term isopropyl alcohol (or isopropanol) may also be used to describe it, it is important to remember that rubbing alcohol is a solution of isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol) or ethyl alcohol (ethanol), which is mixed with water and other substances to potentiate its antiseptic properties. 

The alcohol concentration (either isopropyl or ethyl) can range from 70% to 99%; the rest is water and additives. These additives also make rubbing alcohol unsuitable for human consumption. 

Apart from the widely known antiseptic and disinfectant characteristics, some of its other properties include:

• Effective solvent
• Highly flammable
• Quick evaporation
• High volatility (air dispersion)
• Highly toxic

Uses of Rubbing Alcohol

There is a reason why rubbing alcohol is so popular: its wide variety of uses can serve different purposes. Its uses can range from a disinfectant under your sink to a key first aid kit component. While those are the most popular uses of rubbing alcohol, its versatility allows it to have a whole bunch. 

Cleaning and Disinfecting with Rubbing Alcohol

When you hear the term “rubbing alcohol,” two things immediately come to mind. The first one is a liquid transparent surface cleaner. The second one is a white bottle with a clear substance found in the first aid kit you have at home. 

Rubbing alcohol’s properties make it one of the best surface cleaners and disinfectants. It can help you remove stains from all kinds of surfaces, glass, and even electronics (if used gently). 

From a medical standpoint, alcohol is pretty useful for cleaning wounds. Its disinfectant properties are extremely helpful in preventing wound infections. However, it can be painful and irritating when used on open wounds. 

Other Uses of Rubbing Alcohol

Among the many other uses of rubbing alcohol, we can find:

• Deodorizer
• Sticky residue remover
• Whiteboards cleaners
• Windshield frost dissolver
• Jewelry cleaner
• Stain remover
• Killing bed bugs
• Nail polish remover substitute
• Makeup brushes cleaner

Safety Precautions and Storage of Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol must be handled and stored properly to ensure the user’s safety. This is mainly because of its irritation when contacting biological tissues. Some safety precautions you need to consider are:

• Avoid ingestion
• Be aware of its inflammable properties
• Use it in an area with good ventilation
• Avoid direct skin contact
• Prevent eye contact
• Avoid mixing it with other chemical substances
• Appropriate disposal
• Keep it away from the reach of children

Can Rubbing Alcohol Go Bad or Expire?

Yes, it is possible that the 4-year-old bottle of rubbing alcohol you have under the kitchen sink has already expired. As with any other chemical substance, rubbing alcohol can go bad or expire. Its typical shelf life is about 2 to 3 years, and the expiration date is often printed on the bottle. 

If you want to maintain the effectiveness of rubbing alcohol, proper storage is key. You should put it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight exposure. Ensuring a tight sealing is also important to avoid contamination or evaporation. If you have not followed these recommendations, you must look out for possible signs of degradation:

• Change in smell
• Weird appearance
• Evaporation
• Reduced effectiveness

If you find one or more of these signs, you may probably want to throw your bottle of rubbing alcohol and buy a new one. 

Can You Drink Rubbing Alcohol?

The short and only answer is NO! You must be wondering how someone could ever consider drinking rubbing alcohol, as it is often viewed as a powerful chemical that is not suited for human consumption. Well, when someone suffers from alcohol addiction and is deprived of this substance, withdrawal symptoms may appear. Sometimes, alcohol withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, nausea, and tremors, among others, can be so severe that the individual may start considering drinking any kind of alcohol they can get their hands on.

As stated above, alcohol concentration can range from 70% to 99% of either ethanol or isopropanol. For an alcoholic, this might be appealing as they can think that such a high concentration would be more than enough to get them drunk. A small quantity of rubbing alcohol can indeed get you highly intoxicated (E.g., drinking a 17-ounce bottle of rubbing alcohol is equivalent to drinking 30 beers!). However, although some alcohol bottles may contain ethanol, their high concentration and other addictive substances make them extremely dangerous for human consumption. 

Dangers of Drinking Rubbing Alcohol

As rough as it sounds, drinking rubbing alcohol is the equivalent of drinking poison. If you consume even a tiny amount, it can have terrible consequences for your health. Moreover, if you consume large quantities, it can be deadly. Some of the toxic side effects it can have on your body are: 

• Burning pain in the mouth and throat
• Irritation and damage to the esophagus and stomach lining
• Severe abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting (possibly with blood)
• Coma
• Seizures
• Respiratory arrest
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heart rate
• Cardiac arrest
• Kidney failure
• Liver damage
• Low body temperature
• High blood sugar levels
• Breakdown of muscle tissue
• Permanent brain damage
• Organ failure    
• Death

Symptoms of Rubbing Alcohol Overdose

Now that you know all the dangerous and toxic effects that rubbing alcohol can have on your body, you probably understand how important it is to raise awareness against its consumption and also the need to learn how to recognize early if someone has been drinking rubbing alcohol. Independently, if rubbing alcohol was ethanol-based or isopropanol-based, the symptoms of overdose are the same. Most of them include: 

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Confusion
• Incoordination
• Slurred Speech
• Drowsiness
• Blacking out
• Slow and shallow breathing
• Dehydration
• Blurred Vision
• Hallucinations
• Muscle Weakness
• Fatigue
• Unconsciousness

Treating Rubbing Alcohol Poisoning

Poisoning from Rubbing alcohol is a life-threatening medical emergency. If someone is showing signs of intoxication, 911 should be called immediately. After contacting emergency services, you can help the affected person by having them drink some milk (only if they are conscious and able to swallow). Milk can help neutralize rubbing alcohol and prevent the burning or erosion of the gastrointestinal lining (mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

Once the person is taken care of in the emergency room, professional healthcare providers will monitor the vital signs to ensure stability and administer intravenous fluids. A lot of blood work, imaging, and lab tests, such as a basic metabolic panel, urinalysis, chest X-ray, and even an electrocardiogram (EKG), will be requested.

Depending on the severity of the episode, doctors can perform some interventions, like inserting a nasogastric tube to help clean your stomach, connecting you to a breathing machine, or supporting your kidneys through dialysis. 

Conclusion

Rubbing alcohol is a common household product with many uses due to its versatility. However, it can also be a temptation for alcoholics who have been deprived of their alcohol source. As you can imagine, drinking rubbing alcohol can cause terrible complications in your body and be life-threatening. It is important to identify the signs and symptoms of rubbing alcohol poisoning so that you can get immediate medical attention or get help for someone you know. Remember, if you think someone has drunk rubbing alcohol, the first step is always to call 911 ASAP!