How dangerous is ingesting hand sanitizer?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 17:50:47 -0400

Okay....not that I plan to try this, but we heard about it in a recent training. I should not be surprised at the many ways people figure out how to get a buzz. In an Army training we were briefed on the dangers of ingesting hand sanitizer. We were told it was equal to drinking straight vodka. I haven't heard of anyone doing this but I guess there are lots of people doing it. Soldiers in deployment or field exercises? Who knows? My late grandmother was a hard alcoholic who would drink rubbing alcohol if money was tight. I can only imagine. But back to the hand sanitizer: how widespread is this practice? How dangerous and life-threatening is it? Have you heard about this? Here's an article I found.....

Hand Sanitizers: How Toxic Are They?
Recently, an email has circulated warning parents not to use hand sanitizers due to the danger they pose to children. And while hand sanitizers can be dangerous if swallowed, actual symptoms from their misuse are extremely rare. Most children who get a "taste" or a "lick" of hand sanitizer experience only mild symptoms, if any, and can be safely managed at home with the assistance of the Poison Center. Hand sanitizer taste bad and can result in a burning sensation, so most children will not swallow an amount large enough to produce symptoms. However, there are children who will drink anything, no matter how bad it tastes - and in those cases alcohol poisoning can result. The same thing can occur if mouthwash or perfume is swallowed. The bottom line is - hand sanitizers are beneficial for killing germs on hands and like all potentially poisonous items, they should be stored out of the reach of children and should be used according to the label. Adults should monitor use of hand sanitizer by children to ensure that the proper amount is used and that hands wet with sanitizer are not put in the mouth. Also, avoid buying large containers of sanitizer. If a child only has access to a small bottle (30mL or less), they are less likely to ingest enough to result in harm.

What do you think about ingesting hand sanitizer for an alcohol buzz?

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Sep 1 at 2015 5:51 PM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 17:51:56 -0400

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Sep 1 at 2015 5:56 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 17:56:42 -0400

Only a garbage head would even consider this.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2015 5:58 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 17:58:08 -0400

well... As far as alcohol content, if it's ethanol (which it is) it's not the worst thing ever for you. The problem is there are way too many other things added into it that are even worse for your body than alcohol.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 1 at 2015 6:00 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:00:42 -0400

Wash your mouth out with soap CH (MAJ) William Beaver for suggesting this :-)

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Sep 1 at 2015 6:07 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:07:26 -0400

I don't imagine it is any safer than stuffing an alcohol soaked tampon up your keister. I will never know as I will not be attempting either, but if anyone does try it out, please share your results with the group?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2015 6:09 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:09:24 -0400

CH (MAJ) William Beaver There are a lot of other common items that someone who wants to get a buzz where alcohol is prohibited will consume additionally they will produce their own.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Sep 1 at 2015 6:17 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:17:49 -0400

I will stick to the OJ CH (MAJ) William Beaver!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2015 6:22 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:22:57 -0400

There was an issue a few years back, and maybe still today, of teenagers (and adults) using salt or something to separate the gel from the alcohol and then drinking the liquid with mouthwash to mask the flavor. From what I remember hearing it was a fairly effective method of getting intoxicated; however, it was incredibly dangerous due to some of the remaining chemicals causing blindness and other terrible side effects. Also, I don't think it is a very cost effective option which is why it was popular with age groups and persons unable to purchase regular alcohol.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2015 6:23 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:23:10 -0400

Bill Engval and his signs are coming to mind

Response by CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner made Sep 1 at 2015 6:33 PM

CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:33:32 -0400

Desperately people will try or do just about anything! Although I have not heard about drinking the hand sanitizer, I have seen equally stupid stuff. I once had a Soldier in my unit who was allowed to drink during PT recovery and at lunch. He was such a bad alcoholic command was afraid what would happen if his blood alcohol level dropped. Of course he was discharged with a less than honorable discharge.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Sep 1 at 2015 6:35 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:35:04 -0400

I've heard of "sniffing" during to my deployment to Kuwait, but drinking it? Well, I guess there really is a first for everything...

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 1 at 2015 6:44 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:44:49 -0400

It could be deadly

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Sep 1 at 2015 7:16 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 19:16:17 -0400

I can't stand the smell of any type of soap when around food and just do not understand how anyone could do that to get "high".

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2015 8:49 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 20:49:15 -0400

Wow, that is all kinds of stupid! Soldiers do the darndest things.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Sep 1 at 2015 10:58 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 22:58:00 -0400

Active ingredients may include--isopropyl alcohol- ethanol--n-propanol, or povidone-iodine ---So it is very dangerous,when it is ingested.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2015 11:31 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 23:31:58 -0400

It's pretty dangerous; ethanol is the kind you can drink. Isopropyl alcohol is the kind found in hand sanitizer and it will kill you.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Sep 2 at 2015 7:06 AM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 07:06:28 -0400

When I was in Afghanistan, there were soldiers mixing hand sanitizer with RipIts. Definitely some desperation there, smh.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 2 at 2015 9:39 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 09:39:47 -0400

This is about as dumb as folks doing vodka shots in their eyes as a more direct means of getting drunk. Where's Darwin when you need em?

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Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 12:26 PM

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 12:26:10 -0400

"Great Taste...Less Filling!"

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Sep 7 at 2015 7:13 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 19:13:49 -0400

Never ingested for alcohol buzz but did did get into a "no balls" match with another Lt on first deployment about who wouldn't pour some in their mouth. It tastes really bad.