Is Rubbing Alcohol Safe for Toddlers

Rubbing Alcohol for Toddlers and Children; Parents often go through a lot of dilemmas and confusion before using anything on their toddlers.

Especially in today’s time when people are inclined to use organic and natural products, the present-day parents want the finest for their kids.

However, some of them still go for the age-old usage and benefits of Rubbing Alcohol.

But is Rubbing Alcohol safe for use on kids?

Brace your horses and before you use Rubbing Alcohol on your kids go through the guide below.

Is Rubbing Alcohol Safe for toddlers?

A lot of individuals and families across the world swear by Rubbing Alcohol for a number of reasons. They use it to bring down fever, treat open cuts and wounds, get rid of acne, and for many other benefits.

Even when the purpose of Rubbing Alcohol is to use it on kids, several parents do not hesitate. However, Isopropyl (Rubbing) Alcohol or any such solvent is not safe for use on kids.

Our skin has countless pores that, upon touching Rubbing Alcohol, will absorb within no time.

Whether you apply the solvent standalone or dilute it with water, there are always high chances of it absorbing into your skin and reaching your bloodstream.

This process can lead to Alcohol poisoning in toddlers and even worsen their health condition at times.

Does Rubbing Alcohol help bring down a fever?

Rubbing Alcohol does provide instant relief from high temperature, but it does not benefit in bringing down a fever.

Rubbing Alcohol though does stings on open cuts and wounds, but the solvent is also known for its cooling properties.

When you apply it to clean skin, it will evaporate and leave a cooling sensation behind, just like peppermint does.

And for a similar property, individuals often use Rubbing Alcohol during a fever for bringing down the temperature.

However, Rubbing Alcohol does not help in recovering from fever.

Instead, when one does Rubbing Alcohol sponging, it soothes the skin like a fresh chilling breeze.

And if the fever initially occurred due to cold shivers, chances are Alcohol usage can worsen it more.

That is why experts recommend going for hot sponging or hot water bath for bringing down fever.

Is Rubbing Alcohol Safe for kids’ skin?

Is Rubbing Alcohol bad for baby skin? If you are one of those parents who often use Rubbing Alcohol on their baby’s skin, then stop doing that immediately.

Regardless of the purpose, Rubbing Alcohol or any such solvent is not meant for use on baby skin.

The skin of babies is structurally different from that of adults. Baby skin has thinner collagen fibers while their cells are smaller too, which makes it very delicate.

That is why Isopropyl or other such chemical solvents can develop harsh results when used on baby skin.

Besides that, one of the properties of Rubbing Alcohol is that it removes oil from the skin and leaves it back dry.

And because toddlers’ skin is more permeable and more prone to dryness results of Rubbing Alcohol on them can prove really bad.

Can I Use Rubbing Alcohol in bath water for fever?

No, avoid using Rubbing Alcohol in your bath water, despite whatever your concerns are. During fever, individuals often take warm/ hot water baths.

And when you mix Rubbing Alcohol into steaming warm/ hot water, you will surely inhale it unknowingly and unwantedly.

Also, prolonged exposure to Rubbing Alcohol can lead to toxicity in both kids and adults.

Can I Use Rubbing Alcohol in bath water for aches?

Rubbing Alcohol does help in soothing body aches and muscular pain, but the idea of using it in Bathwater isn’t appealing and safe.

Instead, either rub/ apply Rubbing Alcohol on the paining region (for example, knee or shoulder).

Upon doing so, the blood flow of that particular area will regulate fast, resulting in relief and recovery from pain.

Or you can also use Rubbing Alcohol ice packs or heat packs for treating body aches.

Can you use Rubbing Alcohol on the baby’s belly button?

Back in time, doctors and Paediatricians often recommended using Rubbing Alcohol to clean the umbilical cord base. It then was a common practice, but today, it is no longer advised.

The base of the Umbilical cord or baby’s belly button is basically an open skin region. Upon using Rubbing Alcohol on it, the baby might feel irritation, or even the healing process can delay.

Does Rubbing Alcohol remove dirt from the skin?

Rubbing Alcohol is an astringent that will help in removing dirt from the skin.

Even if you simply rub a cotton ball dipped in Rubbing Alcohol on your face, it will swiftly remove the layer of dirt without the need for scrubbing.

However, because simply water and face wash too can do this job, we do not recommend using Rubbing Alcohol on the skin/ face.

Can you use hand sanitizer for 1-year-old?

There is no hard and fast rule for using a Hand sanitizer on a 1-year-old kid. You can use hand sanitizer with either 60% Isopropyl Alcohol or choose organic ones.

Once the sanitizer gets dry, it is even safe if your little one licks his hand or puts it in his mouth. Though, make sure they do not lick liquid sanitizer at any cost.

However, regardless of the benefits and ease hand sanitizers offers, we always recommend washing hands with soap and water. Only go with sanitizer on those occasions when there is no water or soap available.

Wrapping up…

Applying Rubbing Alcohol to the skin can have serious side effects on both kids and adults.

However, because kids are more sensitive and their skin is far more delicate, never ever experiment with Rubbing Alcohol on them at any cost.

Even if your kid has by chance rubbed Alcohol on their skin, monitor them for a while and then contact the medical experts immediately.