You've probably heard the word 'saline', right? Maybe when your nose is stuffy, your doctor has given you a nasal spray that also contains saline. Or when you have a small wound, you have brought a bottle of saline from the pharmacy and washed it. Simply put, this is a mixture made by adding salt and water. Although it is useful for many things, there are a few things we need to be very careful about when using it. Let's learn about it in detail today.
What is 'Normal Saline'?
You may have also heard of 'normal saline'. This is a special type of saline solution. To be precise, it is made by adding salt (sodium chloride) to water to a concentration of 0.9%. This means that it is made by adding 9 grams of salt to one liter of water.
Imagine, the special thing about this is that it is very similar to the salt concentration in our blood. That is why hospitals use this type of 'normal saline' when they need to give someone an IV fluid.
What is saline used for?
Saline is something that can be very useful in our daily lives. However, the way it is used for each purpose and the type of saline to use are different. Let's take a look at the main benefits.
| Use | The most important thing to know |
|---|---|
| To clear and wash the stuffy nose | It helps to thin ( dilute ) the mucus inside the nose and expel it. For this, if prepared properly, you can use homemade saline. |
| For the eyes | If you get a piece of dirt, dust, or an insect in your eye, you can wash it out. But never use homemade saline for this! Only use sterile saline from a pharmacy. |
| To wash contact lenses | After cleaning your contact lenses with a disinfectant, you can use saline to rinse them. Remember, saline does not kill germs. Do not use homemade saline for this either. |
| To clean wounds | It helps to remove dirt and debris from minor scrapes and wounds and reduce the risk of infection. It's a great item to have in your first-aid kit. |
| To clean newly pierced areas (Piercings) | You can prevent infection by cleaning a newly pierced ear or nose about twice a day. It's safer to use sterile saline for this as well. If the salt content of homemade saline is too high, the area may dry out and take longer to heal. |
| For Nebulizer | For some lung conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, saline is given through a nebulizer to thin the thick mucus in the lungs. This uses a special type of saline that has a high salt concentration (hypertonic saline). This should only be done on the advice of a doctor. |
How to make saline nasal rinse at home?
Warning: This homemade saline solution should only be used to clean the nose. Do not use it in the eyes, on contact lenses, on open wounds, or on piercings for any reason.
Making saline solution at home is not a big deal, but safety is the first priority.
First, choose the right type of water to use!
This is the most important thing. Using the wrong type of water can cause serious infections. Only these can be used:
- You can buy 'distilled water' or 'sterile water' from pharmacies. The bottle should be labeled as such.
- Otherwise, boil the tap water for 3-5 minutes, let it cool completely, and then use it. You can store the remaining water in a clean, tightly sealed container for 24 hours. Then discard it.
Never use water straight from the tap. Some of the germs in that water may be harmless if they enter your stomach, but if they enter your nose, they can cause serious infections.
Now let's make the mixture.
If you have prepared safe water, now things are easier.
1. Mix the dry ingredients: In a clean bowl, combine 3 teaspoons of non-iodized salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Mix well. Store this mixture in a clean, airtight bottle.
2. Add to water: Add a teaspoon of the dry mixture to a cup of previously prepared warm water (about 240 ml) and dissolve well.
3. Use: Rinse your nose according to the instructions on your nasal irrigation system or neti pot.
When do you need to see a doctor?
Although saline is generally safe, sometimes it is necessary to seek medical advice. If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
- If you have signs of a skin infection (e.g. redness, swelling, warmth, pain).
- If you have signs of an eye infection (e.g., persistent watering of the eyes, redness, itching, pain, or swelling).
- If your symptoms do not improve or worsen after washing your nose.
- If you have a wound that is slow to heal.
- If you can't stop bleeding from a wound.
Take-Home Message
- Saline is a mixture of salt and water. It is very useful for things like relieving stuffy noses and washing wounds.
- Never use homemade saline solution for your eyes or contact lenses. Always use sterile saline solution purchased from a pharmacy.
- If you are making saline nasal rinses at home, be sure to use boiled or distilled/sterile water. Water straight from the tap can cause dangerous infections.
- If you have any doubts about something, consult your doctor before using anything. It's always safest to do so.
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