Rubbing alcohol should not be used on cuts, scrapes, injuries

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If you fall and notice you are bleeding, your first step may be to grab a first aid kit and clean the wound to avoid infection. Antiseptics like hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol are commonly used due to their disinfecting abilities. After a previous VERIFY story explained why you should not use hydrogen peroxide to clean wounds, a VERIFY viewer texted to ask whether the same applies to rubbing alcohol.

Should you clean wounds with rubbing alcohol?

No, you should not clean wounds with rubbing alcohol.

While rubbing alcohol does disinfect your wound, it can actually slow the healing process or cause irritation.

Rubbing alcohol, a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water, is commonly known for being used on scrapes, cuts, or other wounds.

William Schaffner, M.D., says rubbing alcohol disinfects surfaces by “altering or destroying some of the proteins in bacteria, viruses and fungal organisms.”

Despite the disinfecting properties of rubbing alcohol, you should avoid using it to clean your wound. In an Ohio State Health blog post, Nicholas Kman, M.D., explains that rubbing alcohol “can damage surrounding healthy tissue and shouldn’t be used to clean your wounds.”

Applying rubbing alcohol to your wound can actually slow down the healing process, as the alcohol can destroy healthy cells. According to Cleveland Clinic, “new tissue is especially susceptible to harsh antiseptics because it’s more sensitive than mature skin.”

Additionally, the Dallas Fort Worth Wound Care Center explains how rubbing alcohol can cause unnecessary pain from burning. Schaffner added, “If used to excess and consistently, it can cause a certain drying of the skin and possibly irritation.”

Houston Methodist and Mayo Clinic both share tips on how to care for minor wounds, like scrapes and cuts, on their websites. Some of their tips include:

For larger wounds, seek treatment from a professional. Schaffner adds, “If things start to get large, you'll want to take them to the emergency department.”

If you happen to have a bottle of rubbing alcohol lying around in your home, there are still many ways for you to put it to use safely. In a Cleveland Clinic blog post, Sarah Pickering Beers, M.D., shares some household uses. These include cleaning your bathroom tools, technology items like your phone or computer keyboard, jewelry, and your kitchen appliances.

MORE FROM VERIFY: No, you should not use hydrogen peroxide on wounds

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