What are the effects and precautions of medical alcohol

Normally when we use medical alcohol, we often use it for disinfection and sterilization. We rarely know the uses of alcohol. For example, 95% alcohol is often used to wipe ultraviolet lamps. The alcohol we usually use for disinfection is 70% to 75%. About 50% alcohol can prevent bedsores. The concentration of alcohol we usually use for physical fever reduction is about 25%.

1. 95% alcohol is used to wipe the UV lamp.

This type of alcohol is commonly used in hospitals, but at home it is only used to clean camera lenses.

2. 70% to 75% alcohol is used for disinfection.

This is because too high a concentration of alcohol will form a protective film on the surface of the bacteria, preventing it from entering the bacteria, making it difficult to kill the bacteria completely. If the alcohol concentration is too low, although it can enter the bacteria, it cannot coagulate the protein in their bodies, nor can it completely kill the bacteria.

3. 40% to 50% alcohol can prevent bedsores.

The back, waist and buttocks of bedridden patients may develop bedsores due to long-term pressure. If you pour a little 40% to 50% alcohol into your hands and evenly massage the pressure areas of the patient, you can promote local blood circulation and prevent the formation of bedsores.

4. 25% to 50% alcohol can be used for physical fever reduction.

Patients with high fever can use it to rub their bodies to reduce temperature. Because wiping the skin with alcohol can dilate the patient's skin blood vessels and increase the skin's heat dissipation capacity. Its volatility can also absorb and take away a large amount of heat, thereby relieving symptoms. However, the alcohol concentration should not be too high, otherwise it may irritate the skin and absorb a large amount of moisture from the epidermis.

Precautions

The concentration of alcohol used for bathing must not be too high. Generally, 30% concentration of alcohol is appropriate. Otherwise, using high-concentration alcohol over a large area may irritate the skin, absorb a large amount of moisture from the epidermis, and cause skin dehydration, which is not worth the cost. Therefore, correctly adjusting the alcohol concentration can achieve twice the result with half the effort. Finally, it is also important to note that after using alcohol with a concentration higher than 70%, never come into contact with open flames to prevent accidents such as burns, scalds, and fire.