HWN Suggests

A History of Medicinal Uses of Alcohol

It is a documented fact that my mom used to give me a “thimbleful” of Black Velvet when I had a cold as a child to help me sleep, or so she says. Then there’s the well-meaning mom who rubs booze on her baby’s gums when he’s teething … so what’s the deal? The deal is that booze has been used for medicinal purposes pretty much since it was discovered (or invented, depending on your perspective), and not only for its obvious analgesic effects – although many a historical anecdote exists about sucking down some hooch before going under the bone saw.

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 A review of the science and clinical use of alcohol-based hand rubs

Alcohol has a longstanding history as an antiseptic, and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has sparked a renewed interest in its use as a hand sanitizer. Alcohol works by denaturing protein and rendering cell membranes permeable. It offers excellent germicidal effects against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, fungi, and lipid-containing viruses. However, it is less reliable against non-lipid containing viruses and is ineffective against bacterial and fungal spores.

Articles of Interest

Alcohols as Surface Disinfectants in Healthcare Settings

Isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol have been used as low-level disinfectants in healthcare settings for many years. Recent studies have found that ethyl alcohol inhibits protein synthesis in Escherichia coli by direct effects on ribosomes and RNA polymerase and that 60%–70% solutions have in vitro efficacy against murine norovirus, Ebola virus, and several coronaviruses.

Hospital Superbug May Be Developing Tolerance to Hand Sanitizers

Australian researchers have found that a strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is able to survive after being exposed to alcohol solutions.

Is Isopropyl Alcohol the Same as Rubbing Alcohol?

In a lot of cases, people will use isopropyl and rubbing alcohol interchangeably, even though both rubbing alcohol and isopropyl alcohol aren’t technically the same thing (though they are very closely related). Let’s break down what exactly isopropyl and rubbing alcohol are and what role one plays in the other.

Isopropyl Alcohol Compared with Isopropyl Alcohol plus Povidone-Iodine as Skin Preparation for Prevention of Blood Culture Contamination

Despite a number of studies on the efficacies of antiseptics for the prevention of blood culture contamination, it still remains unclear which antiseptic should be used. Although the combination of povidone-iodine and isopropyl alcohol has been traditionally used in many institutions, the application of povidone-iodine needs extra time, and there is little evidence that this combination could have an additive effect in reducing contamination rates.

The Chemical Composition of Rubbing Alcohol

Most rubbing alcohol is made from isopropyl alcohol or isopropanol in water. Isopropyl rubbing alcohol is commonly found at concentrations from 68% alcohol in water up to 99% alcohol in water. The 70% rubbing alcohol is highly effective as a disinfectant. Additives make this alcohol bitter-tasting to try to prevent people from drinking it. Isopropyl alcohol is toxic, in part because the body metabolizes it into acetone. Drinking this alcohol can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, central nervous system depression, organ damage, and potentially coma or death.

Vodka as an Antiseptic? Separating Myth from Medical Reality

Most vodkas have an alcohol content of around 40% ABV (alcohol by volume). While this concentration can kill some germs, it's not strong enough to be considered a reliable disinfectant for medical purposes.

What is better for cleaning vinegar or isopropyl alcohol?

Beyond its disinfectant capabilities, isopropyl alcohol is a potent solvent. It effectively dissolves dirt, grease, and certain stains, ensuring surfaces are left clean and streak-free. Its fast-evaporating nature means that it dries quickly, which is particularly advantageous when cleaning areas where residue is undesirable.

What Is Rubbing Alcohol and Hydrogen Peroxide?

Rubbing alcohol, commonly known as isopropyl alcohol or ethanol, is a widely used antiseptic. It is often utilized in medical settings for disinfecting skin before injections or surgeries. The World Health Organization recommends alcohol-based hand rubs (ABR) for surgical hand preparation due to their effectiveness in reducing bacterial counts on the skin. In a study comparing different antiseptic techniques in equine surgery, an alcohol-based rub containing 80% ethanol was evaluated for its efficacy in reducing bacterial counts.

Why Is 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) a Better Disinfectant than 99% Isopropanol, and What Is IPA Used For?

Isopropyl alcohol, particularly in solutions between 60% and 90% alcohol with 10 – 40% purified water, is rapidly antimicrobial against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Once alcohol concentrations drop below 50%, usefulness for disinfection drops sharply. Notably, higher concentrations of alcohol don’t generate more desirable bactericidal, virucidal, or fungicidal properties. The presence of water is a crucial factor in destroying or inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms with isopropyl alcohol. Water acts as a catalyst and plays a key role in denaturing the proteins of vegetative cell membranes.