Is bathing with rubbing alcohol healthy?

Answer 1

yes i do this quite often and it helps reviatlize my skin. most people say its bad for you but clearly they've never even attempted to try it. try taking a full shot with it to just hold your breath.

Answer 2

I washed with gauze pads and rubbing alcohol every two to three days for four weeks with no noticable problems. Sponge baths with soap and a basin of water weren't able to get rid of body odor. I washed my hair every two to three days as well, using shampoo and a basin of water. The big thing you have to be careful about with rubbing alcohol is making sure it doesn't get in the wrong places, like your eyes, cuts in your skin, and orifices, because it can burn big time. (And don't drink it!) I sponge bathed those sensitive areas (using the water in the basin AFTER washing my hair) before using rubbing alcohol everywhere else, but some people probably skip that step if they are doing this for a shorter period of time.

You don't need to use much alcohol: a 16-ounce bottle from the dollar store lasts at least a month. I use one 4x4 gauze pad for my upper body, working from the top down, a second one for my legs and feet, and a third one for my mid-section, butt last. You don't have to scrub, just wipe gently. If you try to scrub with the gauze, it will fall apart before you are done using it. The gauze should be wet, but not dripping.

Some people use paper towels, while others cut up old tee shirts, wash cloths, or towels, and wash them after a camping trip to use again. I wouldn't want to re-use anything without washing them first. No matter what material you use to wash with, using a small bowl to wet it with alcohol reduces waste and makes the bottle of alcohol last longer. Put the dry gauze or cloth in the small bowl, and add small amounts of alcohol until the cloth is wet but not dripping. It doesn't take much, and any excess in the bowl can be used to re-wet the wipe you are currently using (if needed) or to start wetting the next wipe.

This bathing technique is especially useful when you're camping and have a limited amount of water that also needs to be used for drinking, cooking, and washing dishes, and the lack of body odor will make it easier for other people to tolerate you. It is also useful at home if you find yourself without running water or a working shower or bath tub.

I have also heard of people washing with baby wipes or making their own baby wipes from various recipes on the internet, but rubbing alcohol is cheaper and it seems to work ok for me.

As always, your milage may vary. It's possible that some people could experience complications if they do this, but I didn't have any problems and other people are doing it. If you are worried about complications, ask your doctor for advice.

Answer 3

It can cause dry skin, and there are some healthy bacteria on your skin that it would kill, possibly resulting in a yeast infection.