Metho is toxic if drunk, but can you get a toxic dose by breathing the fumes or absorbed through the skin?

bob(from black rock) said:

Metho is toxic if drunk, but can you get a toxic dose by breathing the fumes or absorbed through the skin?

You’d need to be soaked in it for a while to get pikled but I’m sure tha you couldn’t breathe it for very long.

>Metho is toxic if drunk,

Chemist boy, will know better, but I thought metho was only poisonous because of additives, and the only reason that the additives were added was to stop people drinking it.

roughbarked said:

bob(from black rock) said:

Metho is toxic if drunk, but can you get a toxic dose by breathing the fumes or absorbed through the skin?

You’d need to be soaked in it for a while to get pikled but I’m sure tha you couldn’t breathe it for very long.

So rubbing it on your skin to relieve itching from insect bites shouldn’t be risky?

sibeen said:

>Metho is toxic if drunk,

Chemist boy, will know better, but I thought metho was only poisonous because of additives, and the only reason that the additives were added was to stop people drinking it.

sibeen that’s my understanding too.

I wouldn’t think so. Plenty of people use it on their skin for different reasons and they’re all OK.

sibeen said:

>Metho is toxic if drunk,

Chemist boy, will know better, but I thought metho was only poisonous because of additives, and the only reason that the additives were added was to stop people drinking it.

That’s methylated spirits, which is ethanol plus denaturing agents. Methyl alcohol is methanol. I’m not sure which one the OP really means.

sibeen said:

>Metho is toxic if drunk,

Chemist boy, will know better, but I thought metho was only poisonous because of additives, and the only reason that the additives were added was to stop people drinking it.

The additives are there to make it smell. It doesn’t stop people drinking it. Giving them enough money to buy beer or wine does.

Divine Angel said:

I wouldn’t think so. Plenty of people use it on their skin for different reasons and they’re all OK.

D A thankyou.

bob(from black rock) said:

roughbarked said:

bob(from black rock) said:

Metho is toxic if drunk, but can you get a toxic dose by breathing the fumes or absorbed through the skin?

You’d need to be soaked in it for a while to get pikled but I’m sure tha you couldn’t breathe it for very long.

So rubbing it on your skin to relieve itching from insect bites shouldn’t be risky?

no risk at all.

roughbarked said:

bob(from black rock) said:

roughbarked said:

You’d need to be soaked in it for a while to get pikled but I’m sure tha you couldn’t breathe it for very long.

So rubbing it on your skin to relieve itching from insect bites shouldn’t be risky?

no risk at all.

roughbarked, thanks.

I am pretty sure you mean methylated spirits bob. I think you would be best to dilute it to around 50% before using it, but otherwise it should be ok.

Methanol on the other hand is toxic by absorption and inhalation as well as ingestion.

morrie said:

I am pretty sure you mean methylated spirits bob. I think you would be best to dilute it to around 50% before using it, but otherwise it should be ok.

Methanol on the other hand is toxic by absorption and inhalation as well as ingestion.

morrie, thanks, yes methylated spirits like you buy at the supermarket.

What did you GP say, Bob? Did they prescribed this regime?

neomyrtus_ said:

What did you GP say, Bob? Did they prescribed this regime?

neo didn’t ask my GP just wiped an itchy insect bite with a metho soaked rag, fixed the itch.

if this regime was not specifically prescribed by the doctor who saw and treated these bites:

The straight, undiluted methylated spirits = ethanol on abraded and irritated skin will dry the skin and damage live cells in the skin which have been exposed by scratching. It can damage skin (a search on some publications).

The reason why the meths may be working is:

1: it cools the skin – iced water or ice packs are usually advised to relive inflammation and itch.

2: it irritates the already damage skin, thus “blocking” or overriding the itch sensation.

If you have puritis and inflammation and infection caused by insect / spider bites – poikiolotherm and OCDC or your GP will advise on a course of topical corticosteroids, a topical antiseptic like chlorhexidine (in cream or diluted as a wash) and antihistamines which are better solutions to rubbing meths on what appears to have become a persistent problem and one that has already been treated with antibiotics.

In short

see your doctor

chat to your pharmacist

neomyrtus_ said:

In short

see your doctor

chat to your pharmacist

neo, thanks.

nobody here :

a: has seen your skin condition first hand

b: is qualified to to diagnose (as a primary carer) your skin condition and prescribe an appropriate treatment regime – with the exception of except OCDC or Poik or Wen.

bob(from black rock) said:

neomyrtus_ said:

In short

see your doctor

chat to your pharmacist

neo, thanks.

Yes. This is the correct advice. As mentioned .. metho can dry out the skin, particularly if already abraded and yes it is the evaporation of the alcohol that is cooling.

Was it bob who had the insect bites/shingles/? whatever? Are we still talking about the same thing?

buffy said:

Was it bob who had the insect bites/shingles/? whatever? Are we still talking about the same thing?

apparently we are.. though it wasn’t immediately apparent to all.

roughbarked said:

buffy said:

Was it bob who had the insect bites/shingles/? whatever? Are we still talking about the same thing?

apparently we are.. though it wasn’t immediately apparent to all.

He said an insect bite. I’m sure bob said he saw the doc about the other skin condition.

morrie said:

roughbarked said:

buffy said:

Was it bob who had the insect bites/shingles/? whatever? Are we still talking about the same thing?

apparently we are.. though it wasn’t immediately apparent to all.

He said an insect bite. I’m sure bob said he saw the doc about the other skin condition.

Hi folks, yes two different problems, didn’t use metho on the shingles which is now more or less OK, and just wondering if rubbing metho on the skin is dangerous or not.

and just wondering if rubbing metho on the skin is dangerous or not.

just keep away from naked flames. though i can’t imagine it’d do your skin much good.

Boris said:

and just wondering if rubbing metho on the skin is dangerous or not.

just keep away from naked flames. though i can’t imagine it’d do your skin much good.

It is marginally effective for relieving the pain from insect stings.. needs to be applied often and yes, would perhaps cause some drying of the skin if over applied.