Saline (also known as saline solution) is a mixture of sodium chloride, namely salt water . Although, saline solution is often referred to as normal saline, it is also sometimes called physiological or isotonic saline. Usually saline is 0.9 percent salt, which is about the same amount of salt found in both blood and tears.
Saline solution is used for various medicinal purposes such cleaning of wounds, removal and storage of contact lenses and help with dry eyes. It can be applied topically or used intravenously.
What can I use saline solution for ?
As previous mentioned, there are several uses of saline solution, both at home and in the hospital. Let’s look at some of it’s uses and discover some tips for using homemade saline solution.
- Wounds
- Nasal irritation
- Piercings
- Hospital uses
Wounds
You can use it to wash out minor cuts and wounds. Pouring saline on a wound can help clear strange materials and bacteria, which ends up reducing the chances of developing an infection. Normal saline shouldn’t sting or burn a wound.
Although saline solution works well for cleaning wounds, some studies have shown that using water from a running tap works just as well.
Nasal irritation
One of the most common use for saline solution is a nasal wash. It can wash away allergens, mucus and debris that could be trapped in your nasal passages.
If you want an easier process to perform a nasal cleaning, you would need a neti pot or nasal bulb. You can also use things from around your house like a squirt bottle or turkey baster. Always remember to ways these items throughly with hot soapy water before use.
Now after cleaning the items you want to use, all you need to do is tilt your head to one side and squirt the saline solution to the opposite nostril, (for example, if you want to spray your left nostril tilt your head to the right and vice versa). Just make sure you don’t tilt your head so far back that the water drips down your nose.
Piercings
When you soak a new piercing in saline, you end up promoting ways to heal and prevent infection. It can help clear away dead cells other debris that can cause irritation and lead to crustiness and bumps.
Make sure you soak your new piercing in warm saline for about 5 minutes, once or twice a day. It’s temperature should be of that of a hot coffee. You can also soak a clean cloth and apply it to the pierced spot. Then you rinse off with clean water.
Hospital uses
Many hospitals use saline solution for many things like treating dehydration. If you’re extremely dehydrated, you may be injected with an IV injection containing saline solution.
Although drinking water can do the job, many hospitals still decide to use salt water due to it’s sodium and chloride content because of it’s ability to help balance electrolytes while replacing fluid loss.
If a person is experiencing shock from dehydration, drinking salt water can help stabilize their blood pressure and heart rate.
How To Make saline solution at home
What you will need to prepare
Table salt (sodium chloride)
Measuring Teaspoon
Clean jar or other container with a lid
Recipe for saline solution
2 Teaspoon of table salt
1000ml (4 cups) of warm tap water
How to prepare saline solution
Firstly, wash your hands well and rinse them with warm water
Then pour 1000ml (4cups) of warm water
Add two teaspoons of table salt water into your container.
Mix the salt until it dissolves completely
Frequently Asked Question
Can I Use Saline On My Face As Beauty Product.
Many people use normal saline which contains 0.9% chloride solution as a toner instead of chemical facial toners.
Using saline may offer some skin benefits like clearing acne, removing excess dirt, traces of pile and make up.
The sterile saline solution (also known as sterile saline toner) may be a better alternative. Although, Dermatologists don’t advise using it (or really recommend it at all) since it may be extremely drying on the skin.
But if you do opt to use it, keep in mind that salt water isn’t great for all skin types so you must proceed with caution.
Take away
You can save a little money by making your own saline at home. Just make sure you main a high level of hygiene when using any solution for medicinal purposes because it is of utmost importance.
