Where should the alcohol bath be applied?

Everyone must be familiar with alcohol. When we studied chemistry in high school, we knew that the main chemical composition of alcohol is ethanol, which is a transparent liquid. This liquid is particularly easy to evaporate. If you apply alcohol on your hands, you will feel very cold. This is because the alcohol evaporates quickly and takes away body heat. Everyone has heard of alcohol baths, but don’t know how to do it specifically. Let’s learn more about it below.

Areas for alcohol bath:

Use 100-200ml of 32-34℃, 25%-30% alcohol to wipe the limbs and back in a centrifugal direction. The wiping order is: upper limbs: outside of the neck → outside of the upper limb → back of the hand; side of the chest → armpit → inside of the upper limb → palm; wipe the other upper limb in the same way. Back and waist: The patient lies on his side and wipes for 3 minutes; lower limbs: ilium → lateral side of lower limb → dorsum of foot; groin → medial side of lower limb → medial epicondyle; lower thigh → popliteal fossa → heel. Wipe the other side in the same way, wiping each limb for 3 minutes. Wipe the other side in the same way.

Alcohol bath taboo areas

Alcohol rub bath is a physical cooling method that relies on the evaporation of alcohol to take away excess heat, but there are some parts that cannot be rubbed. The back of the pillow, the auricle and the scrotum should not be wiped to avoid frostbite. The precordial area is also a taboo area to avoid causing radiative slowing of the heart rate and causing atrial or ventricular fibrillation. Also, alcohol baths should not be used on the abdomen to avoid diarrhea. The soles of the feet are also not allowed, otherwise it will cause blood vessels to constrict and affect heat dissipation. It is best not to use this bath on those who are in a coma, have abnormal sensations when bathing, or are elderly and weak.

Alcohol bath precautions:

If a child has symptoms of sweating or high fever and chills, it is best not to use alcohol baths. In this state, the capillaries are in a contracted state, so the heat dissipation is relatively small. If an alcohol bath is used, it will affect the blood flow, which will in turn affect the dissipation of heat in the body.

Alcohol baths are effective for children with high fever but no chills or symptoms, but be careful to avoid catching cold. Do not expose all parts of the body during baths. Rub one part and then expose another.

Do not use alcohol baths on the chest and abdomen, otherwise it is likely to cause congestion of the internal organs, which will cause other diseases or cause physical discomfort. Some people may even experience gastrointestinal cramps and pain.