Alcohol-soaked cloth cures headaches

[snopes]

Comment: My friend, Mary, told me about how her grandfather or uncle put alcohol on headache-sufferers' heads. They put the alcohol on a cloth and just stuck it on someone's head. Does this work? Or is it just a myth?

[diddy]

Originally Posted by snopes

Comment: My friend, Mary, told me about how her grandfather or uncle put alcohol on headache-sufferers' heads. They put the alcohol on a cloth and just stuck it on someone's head. Does this work? Or is it just a myth?

Well I wouldnt be one to try it.

Honest officer, I just had a headache earlier!

[Eddylizard]

Sometimes when I've got a headache I find that a damp cloth to cool the forehead brings a degree of relief. A cloth soaked in pure or reasonably concentrated alcohol would probably cool the forehead more quickly.

[Deepfrydegg]

I think this would depend on which alcohol?
I mean I always get a headache from Tequila and Bourbon, but I would think Vodka would be alright.

Oh, wait you meant "rubbing" alcohol...

[pirateslife]

Just don't rub it on the chest to ease heart attacks. There could be a nasty side effect if the EMTs have to use the defibrillator.

[Salamander]

Originally Posted by Eddylizard

Sometimes when I've got a headache I find that a damp cloth to cool the forehead brings a degree of relief. A cloth soaked in pure or reasonably concentrated alcohol would probably cool the forehead more quickly.

Yup, alcohol evaporates much faster than water so it should do a pretty good job of cooling off your forehead. Working under the assumption that it was the sort of headache that something cold would help (it doesn't always), then yes alcohol would certainly work.

If it was ethanol, the fumes might well help the person suffering the headache too... provided they don't end up so drunk as to suffer a hangover

[Eddylizard]

Probably best not to smoke during the treatment though.

[Floater]

Originally Posted by Eddylizard

Probably best not to smoke during the treatment though.

Is that the reason why an increasing number of countries prohibit smoking in bars?

[zman977]

I've found a good cure for a head ache to be a cup of coffee. You might be awake all night but you won't have a head ache.

BTW drink the cup of coffee don't dump it on your forehead.

[Lainie]

This might explain the references I've read in some older books to "bathing" (wiping, I presume) a person's head with cologne.

Originally Posted by Floater

Is that the reason why an increasing number of countries prohibit smoking in bars?

No, that's because smoking is a disgusting habit that inconveniences everyone else in the vicinity. Smoking in bars is prohibited for the same reason as is urinating or spitting on the floor.

[Debunker]

Originally Posted by zman977

I've found a good cure for a head ache to be a cup of coffee. You might be awake all night but you won't have a head ache.

BTW drink the cup of coffee don't dump it on your forehead.

Since caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, it helps in the case where a headache is caused by dilation of blood vessels in the head. Many migraine sufferers find some relief from caffeine.

[senshisteph]

Originally Posted by Debunker

Since caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, it helps in the case where a headache is caused by dilation of blood vessels in the head. Many migraine sufferers find some relief from caffeine.

Or in my case (terminal caffeine addict), a headache caused by caffeine withdrawal

Don't those 'cool'n'soothe' packs work on the same principle (cooling the forehead)?

[Eddylizard]

Originally Posted by senshisteph

Don't those 'cool'n'soothe' packs work on the same principle (cooling the forehead)?

As I understand it (which isn't very well) the brain prioritises signals from temperature nerves over those coming from pain nerves in the same area. So an ice pack etc or a hot water bottle blocks the pain signals.

[Nonny Mouse]

Originally Posted by Eddylizard

As I understand it (which isn't very well) the brain prioritises signals from temperature nerves over those coming from pain nerves in the same area. So an ice pack etc or a hot water bottle blocks the pain signals.

If that were the case these treatments would only work while actually in progress, which IME is not the case.

Cold constricts blood vessels and helps reduce inflammation. Heat helps relax tense muscles, especially if it's a moist heat.

Nonny