Why Does Isopropyl Alcohol Sting?

Isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol, can be created in various ways, typically through a combination of propene and water. This form of alcohol is flammable and has a strong, distinctive odor. It is commonly used as a disinfectant. Health care workers may rub it over the surface of their hands before inspecting an injury. First aid kits often carry small towels, moistened with isopropyl alcohol, for use as antiseptic wipes.

The Sting of Isopropyl Alcohol

• Unlike water or many other liquids, when isopropyl alcohol makes contact with an orifice or an open cut, most people immediately notice a stinging sensation. Anyone may notice this if they accidentally splash isopropyl alcohol in their eyes or rub it into a small abrasion on their hands when applying it as a disinfectant.

Alcohol's Low Temperature

• Most people report a stinging sensation that is associated with heat. On the surface, this seems strange since it happens whether the rubbing alcohol is warm or not. Even cold alcohol applied to a wound brings on a burning sensation. It turns out that isopropyl alcohol interacts uniquely with some of the cells in a person's skin.

VR1 Receptors

• Among the cells that make up your skin are special cells, known as VR1 receptors, which send signals to your brain about their immediate environment. This is how you know if something is hot or cold, wet or dry. VR1 receptors respond to heat and let your brain know if you are touching something hot.

Effect Of Alcohol on VR1 Receptors

• When alcohol makes contact with your skin, especially on an open cut, it comes into contact with your VR1 receptors. Alcohol has a strange effect on these cells. It lowers the temperature threshold of the VR1 cells so that they interpret your own body temperature as painfully hot. Then they send heat signals to the brain, even though the temperature of their environment has not actually changed.