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You should not apply isopropyl alcohol directly to the forehead or anywhere else on the body. Isopropyl alcohol, unlike ethyl (drinkable) alcohol, is toxic to the body. In small amounts applied to wounds, it is not harmful, but since isopropyl alcohol is easily absorbed by the skin, it can rise to toxic levels very quickly. However, since rubbing alcohol is offered as either isopropyl or ethyl alcohol, if you have a purely ethyl alcohol and water- based rubbing alcohol, it can be used for this purpose. However, it should first be diluted with more water since it is of a very high concentration that is still harmful to the body. Use about 1 part ethyl rubbing alcohol, 2-4 parts water. Obviously, do not use this on young children because it has the same effect as if you gave them alcohol to drink.

Sure won't hurt, it also won't help. It might feel cooling but it won't significantly affect your internal body temp. You need to rid your body of infection or take a medication that will lower your temp such as aspirin, acetominphen, or ibuprofen. However, don't take aspirin if you are under 15 years old because of the risk of Rye's Syndrome. Studies have shown that using isoprpyl alcohol and water baths for fever can be dangerous. The fumes from the mixture can be harmful to both the person being bathed and the person giving the bath as they can be absorbed through the lungs. The isopropyl alcohol can also be absorbed by the skin when applied to the skin. The amount of alcohol that would be used in a bath could lead to alcohol toxicity. Medical studies have shown that inhalation or absorption from the skin could lead to toxic levels of isopropyl alcohol.

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16y ago

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Related Questions

What can you rub on the bottom of your feet to break a fever?

This solution is purely folklore. Rubbing on the bottoms of the feet does nothing to a patient's fever (but it might feel good).


What are the various uses and benefits of rubbing alcohol?

Rubbing alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol, has various uses and benefits. It is commonly used as a disinfectant to clean wounds and surfaces, as well as to sterilize medical equipment. Rubbing alcohol can also be used as a solvent for removing stains, as a cooling agent for reducing fever, and as a cleaning agent for electronics. Additionally, it can be used as a deodorant and as a solvent for removing adhesive residue.


Will rubbing alcohol make a headache go away?

It will help with the pain of your headache yes. As well as lower the fever. Don't over do it and don't under do it.


Can rubbing your body down with rubbing alcohol lead to pneumonia?

This is no longer an accepted treatment for fever or infectious disease as it used to be. Years ago this was an accepted way to lower a temp of an infant or child. Please note: this is no longer accepted. Alcohol fumes could overcome or kill a child. To reduce fever in a child (dangerous high fever) use only a tepid bath (water a couple degrees below body temperature which would feel cool to your elbow) or get directions from the pediatrician. ANY time an infant has fever, the doctor should always be contacted.But being cold or having rubbing alcohol on your skin that makes you feel cold can not cause pneumonia. See the related question below about being cold making you sick.


Why does rubbing alcohol reduce fevers?

Rubbing alcohol is isopropyl alcohol, and is poisonous if ingested, (the alcohol you can drink safely is ethanol, a different chemical compound). Rubbing alcohol cools the skin by convection, as the alcohol evaporates it carries the heat away from the body with it, just like perspiration, only faster. Cooling of the body with alcohol will help in reducing a fever, but should only be done when the body temperature is dangerously high, 104-105 or greater. It is best to supplement this cooling with effective medicines like ibuprofen, aspirin (not for young children), or acetaminophen, these take longer to work, but their effect lasts longer. Severely elevated body temperature can cause seizures and/or brain damage in children, if they have a fever that is greater than 104 degrees and does not respond to treatment should be addressed by a physician.


Why is a child with a high fever given a sponge bath with water mixed with rubbing alcohol?

To help cool the child down. The evaporating alcohol would help with the cooling. To evaporate the alcohol needs some energy and it would take heat from the child's skin thus helping with the cooling. The water would remove heat from the skin by evaporation and conduction.


Why do you have a fever after drinking alcohol?

Alcohol can cause dehydration and inflammation, which can lead to a fever-like response in the body. This can also be a result of an alcohol intolerance or an immune system reaction to the toxins in alcohol. It's important to stay hydrated and seek medical advice if you frequently experience fevers after drinking alcohol.


Can a broken bone give you a fever?

The break itself would not cause a fever but an infection as a result of the break could lead to a fever.


Why does rubbing alcohol work to lower the high temperature of a sick?

Alcohol evaporates quickly, and removes heat as it does. Kinda like sweating does, but faster. It cools the skin and thus reduces the fever. Although it does cool the skin off via evaporation, the use of alcohol to treat fevers is not as effective as other ways to lower a fever. When alcohol is rubbed on the body, the skin gets cold rapidly. This will cause the person to shiver which increases tempurature. The person's fever will most likely stay the same or raise. Lukewarm baths slightly cooler than the person work well. They cool the body off slowly.


How do you treat a fever from alcohol withdrawal?

asperine


Can rubbing alcohol on your belly button help re-leave a cold or flu?

Rubbing alcohol is not an effective treatment for cold or flu symptoms. While it may help disinfect the skin, it does not address the underlying viral infections or alleviate symptoms like congestion or fever. It's best to focus on rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications for relief. Always consult a healthcare professional for appropriate advice regarding illness.


Is it safe to drink alcohol while running fever?

It is not safe to drink alcohol while running a fever as it can interfere with your body's ability to fight off the infection and exacerbate symptoms such as dehydration. Alcohol can also interact with medications you may be taking to manage the fever. It's best to avoid alcohol and focus on rest and hydration when you are sick.