Rubbing Alcohol Only Looks Like Water - Poison Control

What is rubbing alcohol?

Rubbing alcohol is the term for a variety of alcohol-containing products primarily intended for use on the skin. The most common form of rubbing alcohol is 70% isopropyl alcohol (also known as isopropanol). The remaining 30% is water. It is colorless and smells strongly of alcohol. It is used as a disinfectant and is the active ingredient in alcohol swabs, such as those used to clean skin before an injection. Higher concentrations of isopropyl alcohol are less effective as disinfectants and are more irritating. You can buy rubbing alcohol at any pharmacy or grocery store. It is effective for killing bacteria and is often the go-to solution for cleaning minor cuts and scrapes. Rubbing alcohol can also be used to clean and disinfect small household items including thermometers, computer keyboards, and phones.

Can you drink rubbing alcohol?

No. Rubbing alcohol is for external use only. The term “rubbing” was added to emphasize external use and to better distinguish it from alcohol intended for drinking.

Is rubbing alcohol poisonous?

Poison Control often receives calls about children who have swallowed rubbing alcohol. Because it has a strong, unpleasant taste, children usually don't drink much. In general, swallowing a sip of rubbing alcohol leads to few symptoms. Someone who has intentionally swallowed rubbing alcohol can become drunk. Symptoms might include sedation, slurred speech, unsteadiness, and vomiting. Isopropyl alcohol is extremely irritating to the digestive tract, where it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, pain, and bleeding in the stomach and intestines. This can lead to dehydration, low blood pressure, shock, and coma.

Is rubbing alcohol safe for the skin?

When used in small amounts on the skin, rubbing alcohol is safe, although minor irritation and dryness are possible. However, people have been known to use towels or blankets soaked with rubbing alcohol on the skin to reduce fever. This does not reduce fever and can easily lead to rubbing alcohol poisoning. For many years, it was thought that toxicity in these cases resulted from inhaling rubbing alcohol fumes. While this does indeed occur, recent evidence shows that rubbing alcohol can also be absorbed through the skin.

Is rubbing alcohol flammable?

Despite being 30% water, rubbing alcohol will burn if ignited and can reach temperatures above 1000 F. Rubbing alcohol should only be used in well-ventilated areas far from open flames. Many social media posts have described a “rubbing alcohol challenge” in which people soak themselves with rubbing alcohol and then light it. This is extremely dangerous and has resulted in serious, permanent burn injuries.

What should I do if someone has swallowed rubbing alcohol?

If you believe someone has swallowed rubbing alcohol, use the webPOISONCONTROL online tool to get help, or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Do not try to make the person throw up, and do not wait to see what happens.

Serkalem Mekonnen, RN, BSN, MPH Certified Specialist in Poison Information

Revised February, 2024 by William G. Troutman, PharmD

Professor of Pharmacy Emeritus

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