Can water or alcohol be absorbed through the skin with osmosis?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on whether water or alcohol can be absorbed through the skin via osmosis and whether such absorption can lead to entry into the bloodstream. Participants explore the characteristics of various substances that may influence their ability to penetrate the skin and enter the body.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the ability of water to penetrate the skin effectively, suggesting that skin acts as a barrier to prevent dehydration.
  • One participant highlights the properties of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) that may allow it to penetrate living tissues, including its polar nature and ability to form hydrogen bonds.
  • Another participant suggests that small hydrophobic molecules and certain polar molecules like methanol might penetrate the skin more effectively than water.
  • There is a claim that sitting in a tub of vodka would not lead to intoxication through skin absorption, indicating skepticism about the skin's permeability to alcohol.
  • Some participants express confusion regarding the original question, with one misinterpreting DMSO for water (DHMO), which adds to the complexity of the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the permeability of water or alcohol through the skin. Multiple competing views are presented regarding which substances can penetrate the skin and the mechanisms involved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include a lack of detailed exploration of the specific characteristics that allow certain chemicals to penetrate the skin, as well as unresolved questions about the mechanisms of absorption into the bloodstream.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in dermatology, pharmacology, or the effects of substances on the human body may find this discussion relevant.

Peter Pan
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Can water or alcohol be absorbed through the skin with osmosis? More importantly can it be absorbed into the bloodstream? I know some chemicals can be, what characteristics allow those chemicals to do that?

Pan
 
Biology news on Phys.org
  • The unique capability of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to penetrate living tissues without causing significant damage is most probably related to its relatively polar nature, its capacity to accept hydrogen bonds, and its relatively small and compact structure. This combination of properties results in the ability of DMSO to associate with water, proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acid, ionic substances, and other constituents of living systems.
 
I don't think that was his question, water doesn't penetrate our body very easily the skin isolates actually pretty well, otherwise you'd evaporate in a few hours. There is a skin condition in young born babies where they have abnormal skin, they dry out because of it and soon die.
I think it is small hydrophobic molecules that are actually able to penetrate the skin, just think of all the creams that people smear on their face. But also polar molecules like methanol, I'm not sure why, I guess it's an organic solvent and thus is able to go through.
 
Monique said:
I don't think that was his question
He wrote:


  • absorbed into the bloodstream ... I know some chemicals can be, what characteristics allow those chemicals to do that?
 
so, if you sat in a tub of vodka there is no way to get drunk. I was trying to tell a buddy this, but he was positive you could. I was under the impression that if our body allowed things to seap into our body and blood stream that easy, we would be in trouble.
 
hitssquad said:
He wrote:


  • absorbed into the bloodstream ... I know some chemicals can be, what characteristics allow those chemicals to do that?
Oh wait, I misread.. you said DMSO, but I thought you said DHMO as in H2O.. ha, I wasn't quite awake yet at the time.. :rolleyes:
 

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