# First aid - Can Purell replace rubbing alcohol? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 26, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-aid-can-purell-replace-rubbing-alcohol/590408 "2011-07-26T17:49:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-aid-can-purell-replace-rubbing-alcohol/590408/1 "2011-07-26T17:49:35Z")
First aid for minor cuts, scratches, abrasions or bug bites usually involved cotton balls and a bottle of 70% Isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Is it ok to squirt Purell onto the wound instead? Is there any reason to buy Isopropyl rubbing alcohol anymore? Purell is a gelled version of ethyl alcohol. The generic hand sanitizers are Isopropyl. Is that the same solution? > **[Purell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purell)** > > Purell is an American brand of hand sanitizer invented in 1988, and introduced to the consumer market in 1997, by GOJO Industries. Its primary component is ethyl alcohol (70% v/v), and is used by wetting one's hands thoroughly with the product, then briskly rubbing one's hands together until dry. > Purell was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2006, then reacquired by GOJO in 2010. That year, Purell Green Certified Instant Hand Sanitizer became the first hand sanitizer to meet EcoLogo CCD-170 standa... ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-aid-can-purell-replace-rubbing-alcohol/590408/2 "2011-07-26T18:39:15Z")
Ethyl and isopropyl are different alcohols, but as an antiseptic they’re prety much equivalent. Purell ought to work fine in most cases. However, I’d be careful to avoid putting large gobs of it in an open wound, since I believe alcohol can cause damage. A thin layer applied with a damp cotton ball will evaporate quickly, but a large gob will just sit there and be absorbed into the wound. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-aid-can-purell-replace-rubbing-alcohol/590408/3 "2011-07-26T18:57:50Z")
Good point. It would be better to squirt the cotton ball with Purell. Let it soak the cotton and then wipe the wound. I’d heard before that rubbing alcohol shouldn’t be used on deep wounds. ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-aid-can-purell-replace-rubbing-alcohol/590408/4 "2011-07-26T19:00:11Z")
People, esp. elderly and small children, can get alcohol poisoning from absorbing Purell through their skin. One case I remember had a daycare where they were getting Purelled about 40 times a day, and half the daycare ended up in the hospital. If you use it on wounds, rinse it clean with water immediately afterwards. (you’re supposed to do that anyway, as Purell/alcohol only kills the germs, and then you’ve got lots of dead germs along with really clean dirt hanging about on your skin/open wound.) ETA - if you’re really worried about portability, go to a pharmacy and get those little sealed alcohol swab packets. They keep just fine, and work better than a cotton ball anyway. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-aid-can-purell-replace-rubbing-alcohol/590408/5 "2011-07-26T19:24:32Z")
Note that Purell is at least usually scented as well; the perfume, while probably harmless, might make the process somewhat more painful. And as I think about it now, they’ve often also got some sort of moisturizer in them to keep from drying out your hands. I’d stick with rubbing alcohol, myself. ---
**Author:** ![Weaver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Weaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weaver)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-aid-can-purell-replace-rubbing-alcohol/590408/6 "2011-07-27T00:57:44Z")
I’ve actually used sanitizer for first aid purposes since I didn’t have anything else to hand. It didn’t seem to do any harm, however it stung like mad. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-aid-can-purell-replace-rubbing-alcohol/590408/7 "2011-07-27T02:36:59Z")
Actually, neither is very good. Neither is H2O2. Pure, clean water with some ordinary soap is fine if the wound needs cleaning. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-aid-can-purell-replace-rubbing-alcohol/590408/8 "2011-07-27T02:51:15Z")
> [@Lasciel](#): > > People, esp. elderly and small children, can get alcohol poisoning from absorbing Purell through their skin. One case I remember had a daycare where they were getting Purelled about 40 times a day, and half the daycare ended up in the hospital. Uh, cite? The main issue with kids and hand sanitizer is if they somehow ingest it, licking it off their skin or squirting the bottle into their mouth. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-aid-can-purell-replace-rubbing-alcohol/590408/9 "2011-07-27T02:55:19Z")
The Mayo Clinic recommends antibiotic ointment for the wound itself rather than a disinfectant. > **[Cuts and scrapes: First aid](https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cuts/basics/art-20056711)** > > Following guidelines to care for minor cuts and scrapes can help you avoid infection and heal faster. > [@](#): > > 1. Clean the wound. Rinse out the wound with clear water. Soap can irritate the wound, so try to keep it out of the actual wound. If dirt or debris remains in the wound after washing, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove the particles. If debris still remains, see your doctor. Thorough cleaning reduces the risk of infection and tetanus. To clean the area around the wound, use soap and a washcloth. There’s no need to use hydrogen peroxide, iodine or an iodine-containing cleanser. > > 2. Apply an antibiotic. After you clean the wound, apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment such as Neosporin or Polysporin to help keep the surface moist. The products don’t make the wound heal faster, but they can discourage infection and help your body’s natural healing process. Certain ingredients in some ointments can cause a mild rash in some people. If a rash appears, stop using the ointment. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-aid-can-purell-replace-rubbing-alcohol/590408/10 "2011-07-27T03:24:26Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Actually, neither is very good. Neither is H2O2. Pure, clean water with some ordinary soap is fine if the wound needs cleaning. Yes, this. Water (with soap if you must) followed by triple antibiotic ointment and bandaging is all that’s recommended for first aid for minor cuts and scrapes these days. Hydrogen peroxide and alcohol damage cells and tissues. Now…in reality? I work First Aid at several festivals, and EVERYONE still uses hydrogen peroxide or alcohol (or Purell, if that’s all you have) or even providone-iodine solution on fresh cuts. Old habits die hard, especially when treating dirty hippies in a camping environment! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-aid-can-purell-replace-rubbing-alcohol/590408/11 "2011-07-27T04:55:33Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Yes, this. Water (with soap if you must) followed by triple antibiotic ointment and bandaging is all that’s recommended for first aid for minor cuts and scrapes these days. Hydrogen peroxide and alcohol damage cells and tissues. > > Now…in reality? I work First Aid at several festivals, and EVERYONE still uses hydrogen peroxide or alcohol (or Purell, if that’s all you have) or even providone-iodine solution on fresh cuts. Old habits die hard, especially when treating dirty hippies in a camping environment! They are both Ok when you have nothing better for wound wash. But yes, you’re right.