Rubbing alcohol

From Free net encyclopedia

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

Rubbing alcohol is poisonous and can cause permanent disabling illness or death if consumed. Rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly and is used to cool and soothe skin. It is also used to sterilize surfaces or, when mixed with only water, clean minor cuts or abrasions. Other mixtures should be used with great caution near cuts or abrasions. It is also occasionally used to harden skin such as in the case of the feet of novice hikers. Care should always be taken, and label of the preparation read carefully.

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

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.

Abuse

Rubbing alcohol is sometimes consumed by those who cannot afford or cannot legally buy beverage alcohol. This can be risky, mainly because rubbing alcohol is much stronger than cocktail alcohol. Possible outcomes of consuming rubbing alcohol include serious injury to the stomach, and even death.

Since rubbing alcohol contains variable amounts of methyl alcohol, it can cause blindness or death when consumed.de:Franzbranntwein