why does rubbing alcohol feel so cold on the skin?
461944
Evaporation is a natural cooling process for the human body.  As something on the skin evaporates, it draws the heat away from that site.  The faster something evaporates, the more heat it draws away, and the greater the sensation of being cold.  And alcohol evaporates very fast even at normal temperatures, therefor, it removes large amounts of heat.
502624
Different materials conduct heat at different rates.\n\nMetal, for example, is generally an excellent conductor of heat, meaning that when you place your hand on a metal doorknob, the metal conducts heat away from your hand at a much higher rate than of you were to grab an object made of less conductive material, such as wood.  The sensation you're calling "cool" or "cold" is simply heat being conducted away from your skin.  \n\nRemember, just as darkness is nothing more than the absence of light, cold is nothing more than the absence of heat.  So when you're touching a cold object, nothing is being imparted to your skin; all you're feeling is the heating leaving.\n\nRegards,\n\nKevinb671, Ph.D.\nSertufied Science Person
1070867
Because that's the temperature we reach internally, our skin is very different it does not produce heat therefore we feel the heat and cold!
926505
Dry ice is about -110 degrees, so no, you definitely shouldn't touch it with bare skin. It can cause tissue damage.\n\nI did see something about medical/dermatological uses of dry ice, but like lasers, chemicals, etc that a doctor might use on you this would be a special technique only suited to a trained professional. You definitely shouldn't be slapping dry ice on your face at home with the idea that it's going to be some sort of beauty treatment!
773660
Because the hand you touch it with is colder than the foot you touch at that moment.
165396
Probably because alcohol with evaporate
833861
Cold is nasty. But at least it means you can go skiing.\n\nDifferent degrees of cold feel different.\n\nTo about -5C it probably feels much like you have experienced. From -5C to about -15C the air is drier and it ironically can feel warmer than 0C (though windchill is nasty - the effect of windchill is to drop effective temperature very rapidly even for quite slow moving air).\n\nAt -15C the hairs in your nose freeze as you breath.\n\nAt about -25C your jeans go stiff as you walk.\n\nSnow behaves differently too as it gets colder. At around -20C it squeeks when you walk on it, and much below -10C it is pretty useless for making snow balls. By the way, it does not snow when its really cold - snow needs a temperature near 0C.\n\nAnd ice is odd too. If you skate, ice gets faster the colder it is. At -20C its like skating on glass.
878769
rubbing alcohol and cotton
58426
Most lotions have a lot of alcohol in them, and will often burn and sting if the skin is cracked at all, and can also cause MORE dryness.  The best thing to use is vaseline.  Since this is kind of "gooey", try putting in on right before you go to bed.  Or find a good lotion like "Eucerine" that doesn't have any alcohol.
150861
To make it slippery!\n\nIt's alcohol based and water soluble so it does not remain on your skin after the shower.
585735
The reaction is triggered by the cold substance consumed coming into contact with the roof of the mouth. It irritates nerves in the region (sphenopalatine ganglia), causing them to spasm. These nerves cause the blood vessels in the brain to dilate. When vessels in the brain dilate, a common effect is an acute headache (a similar effect occurs when one takes a prescription vasodilator, such as Nitroglycerin or Viagra).\n\nIt has been reported that the pain can be relieved by moving the tongue to the roof of the mouth, which will cause greater warmth in the region; it is also believed that the pain can be relieved by slowly sipping room temperature water. Laying the head to the side may also provide relief. The pain may be avoided in the first place simply by eating ice cream (or other cold foods or beverages) more slowly.\n\nA report was submitted to the British Medical Journal on brain freeze; it focused on the effect of speed of consumption of ice cream on causing brain freeze. It was co-written by a Canadian grade 8 student (about 13 years old).\n\nIt has been estimated that 30% of the population experiences brain freeze.[1]
24514
The other answrs are correct, there IS less humidity because the cold air does not hold the moisture in the air.  This often causes dry skin and local irritation.  \n\nThings to do to manage this problem:\n\n#1  Drink More Fluids, water is the best choice for this.\n\n#2  If desired, use a humidifier in your home.  \n\n**This is actually suggested by physicians because mucus membranes (the skin in your mouth and nose) dry out creating cracks in the skin and thereby provide easier access to micro-organisms (bacteria/virus') to get into your body to make you sick.\n\n#3  Use moisturizers often on your skin and hands (especially if you wash your hands often).\n\n  Lubriderm is a suggested product and is used by many medical facilitites.  The best time to use any lotion is after you bath or shower as the skin can absorb and use the moisturizer very well at that point.\n\n#4  Use tepid water or luke warm water to wash.  Hot water actually removes more of your body's natural oils thereby drying your skin out more.\n\n#5 Reduce the number of shower/baths you take (if you are able to) as this washing leads to drier skin.
529649
What a surprising question! I've never stopped to think about it, but when I do, I guess it's because there's more insulation on the face.. the fat in the cheeks plus ofcourse, our hair in some cases, so we don't feel as cold as to get goose bumps.
1004829
my hands are the same way and have been for 20 years. i do not drink any alcoholic beverages. i dont see how it could be from drinking.
676085
It really keeps our bodies. heat rises off of our bodies when it's cold outside, so the hair on our bodies do too to trap some of that hot air. Oil is everywhere on our bodies, It sticks to our skin so it doesn't dry out. Soap get rid of that oil. i.e when you wash your hands you get rid of the oil on your hands as well as dirt. You hands become dry, when you put lotion on them they feel pretty nice... or if you wait a while the oil gradually comes out of the oil pores putting oil where it used to be.
674253
Stay away from certain cough and cold medicines, mouth washes, tonics, sauces, vinegars,and any alcohol that may be absorbed through your skin from after-shave lotions, liniments, and other skin products.\n\nI really couldnt find a list of foods with hidden alcohol concentrates. Anything with high vinegar amounts you should stay away from.
1178318
Rubbing Alcohol and move it as you add alcohol.  Watch for pus.  THAT will be a very bad sign.