Can you use alcohol to wipe the body when having a high fever?
Nov 24, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
Fever can be treated by wiping the body with alcohol. Since alcohol evaporates quickly, it carries away heat during evaporation, thereby helping to alleviate symptoms. However, note that typical medical alcohol has a concentration of 75%–90%. It should be diluted with warm water to about 30% concentration, which reduces side effects on the skin—such as irritation—and enhances the fever-reducing effect.
Fever refers to high body temperature, and alcohol wiping can be used for cooling. However, note that standard medical alcohol usually has a concentration of 75%–90%, which should be diluted with lukewarm water to around 30% before use.
Alcohol evaporates quickly, and during evaporation it carries away body heat, thereby helping to relieve symptoms. For fever reduction, clinicians commonly use about 30% alcohol to wipe the forehead, neck, armpits, groin, and other areas, achieving effective heat dissipation. This is an efficient and safe physical cooling method. If alcohol is not readily available at home, high-proof liquor can have a similar effect. It is recommended that patients drink plenty of water during high fever to promote fluid metabolism and accelerate toxin elimination from the body.
It should be noted that if a patient has taken penicillin-type or cephalosporin-type medications during the period of high fever, alcohol should not be used for body wiping to reduce fever, as this could easily trigger allergic reactions or disulfiram-like reactions, which are very dangerous for the patient. In such cases, lukewarm water sponge baths should be used instead, which are relatively safer.
