Priyanka Shah Priyanka Shah Asked 9 months ago

Does rubbing alcohol help with fever?

My young son has a fever tonight, and my mother-in-law suggested I rub some alcohol on him to cool him down. I've heard different things about this. Does rubbing alcohol actually help to bring down a fever?

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10 answers

Meenakshi Sundaram Meenakshi Sundaram Joined May 2026 5 months ago
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Please never use rubbing alcohol on children or adults for fever. When my daughter had a 102 fever last year, her doctor strictly told us that simple wet cloth wiping with normal tap water is the safest way to bring the heat down. Please keep alcohol far away from fever care.

Pooja Trivedi Pooja Trivedi Joined May 2026 5 months ago

I read online that rubbing alcohol helps, but then someone told me it's highly toxic to breathe in, especially for kids. Now I'm totally freaked out that I even thought of trying it. Did anyone else get confused by these online remedies when they had a bad fever?

Siddharth Goel Siddharth Goel Joined Apr 2026 7 months ago

No, it doesn't help and it's actually dangerous. Rubbing alcohol can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, which is a major health hazard. Just take a paracetamol if you have a fever, or go see a proper physician if it doesn't go away.

Rajeshwari Bai Rajeshwari Bai Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

Hello beta, please don't use rubbing alcohol for fever. It is a very old and unsafe practice because it cools the skin too fast and makes the body shiver, which can actually increase internal body heat. Just stick to a lukewarm water sponge bath and take rest.

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Harish Rawat Harish Rawat Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago

I have to be very careful with fevers because of my blood pressure issues, and my doctor told me to avoid any self-medication or weird hacks like rubbing alcohol. It can stress the body. Get a proper checkup done, monitor your vitals, and take what the doctor prescribes.

Aditya Verma Aditya Verma Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago

My uncle tried putting rubbing alcohol on my cousin's forehead during a fever once and it just made him throw up from the strong smell. Definitely not recommended. Just use a normal wet towel and see a doc if the temperature isn't going down.

Rahul Khanna Rahul Khanna Joined Feb 2026 9 months ago

No way, keep the alcohol for sanitizers and stay away from it during a fever! Honestly, a warm bowl of fresh tomato soup or khichdi with a dollop of ghee will make you feel way better. Just consult a doctor for the fever and focus on eating light, comforting food.

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Sunita Pandey Sunita Pandey Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

For mild fever, I always prefer drinking warm tulsi ginger tea and resting. Rubbing alcohol is not safe at all and can cause bad skin reactions. If the fever is high or you feel shivering and breathlessness, skip all home tips and go straight to a clinic.

Karan Johar Karan Johar Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

No, rubbing alcohol is a bad idea for fever reduction. When you have a fever, your body is already fighting hard, so don't overload it with toxic fumes. Rest completely, stay hydrated, and once the doctor gives you the green light and your fever is gone, you can slowly start light walking again.

Sarla Devi Sarla Devi Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

Keep your mind calm and give your body the rest it needs to heal. Avoid using harsh chemical things like rubbing alcohol on your skin during illness. Drink warm water, pray for good health, and let a qualified doctor guide your recovery.

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