Saline Solution: What Is It For?
Physiological solution is also known as saline or saline serum. It is a simple preparation that can even be made at home, so that it is always at hand. Its usefulness, although questioned, has been tested.
We are talking about a preparation based on water and salt. That’s why it’s a simple compound that can be made at home. The concentration of this solution is 0.9%, which means that it has the same concentration gradient as human blood.
At the same concentrations, we could say that it is an isotonic preparation. This means that neither the blood nor the physiological solution has a higher concentration. Based on this characteristic, the physiological solution can be administered into the human body in total safety.
It was invented in 1896 by the Dutch scientist Hartog Jacob Hamburger, who made it at home for use in a research study on hemolysis. Its inventor had no intention of applying it for medicinal purposes, although over time it was used more and more often in the health sector.
Uses of physiological solution
Physiological solutions have several applications. For example, for topical use, but also for internal use, by vein. Let’s see the most common uses:
- Wash for eyes and contact lenses : for this use it is recommended to keep the solution sterile, so that neither the eye nor the lenses suffer from bacterial contamination. Usually you can buy the saline solution for eyes in small bottles available at the pharmacy.
- To clean wounds: one of the most used liquids to disinfect wounds is physiological solution. Together with other antiseptic preparations, it helps prevent infections.
- By inhalation : in case of a blocked nose or excess phlegm in the upper respiratory tract, it can be administered via syringe or inhaler. Salt water blocks secretions by exploiting gravity. Furthermore, it is indicated in patients suffering from rhinitis and nasal congestion due to allergy. It will wash away the mucus and allergens. Finally, doctors recommend it following surgery as part of post-operative antisepsis.
- Hydration: When the human body is dehydrated or hypotensive due to loss of fluids, saline is a good initial substitute for lost fluids. In general, in these cases it is administered intravenously at a high replenishment rate.
- Nebulizer : the preparation is loaded inside special nebulizers to make it fit in the respiratory tract. Indicated in case of flu, sinusitis and bronchitis.
Available formats
The physiological solution is available in different formats:
- Vials: they are small and sterile if still closed. They are transportable anywhere and easily. Once opened, they are no longer sterile, but contain a small amount of product, so it is unlikely that they can be used more than once.
- Drops : is marketed in this presentation for ocular use and for spray application.
- Spray: probably created to favor nasal washing, this version on the market is available in pharmacies. It has the advantage of being easily transportable.
- Bottles : these are larger formats, used for different uses that require a greater administration of liquid. For example, for cleansing a wound or in case of a burn.
- IV injection bottles : With several milliliters of solution, these containers are used in the hospital. An extension is added to the bottle, that is, a tube with a syringe in one of its ends; this syringe is inserted into a vein of the patient. In this way, the hospitalized patient is hydrated and the administration of medicines is facilitated through the saline solution.
Homemade preparation of physiological solution
As mentioned in this article, saline can be made at home. It can be useful to process it for specific uses, such as cleaning a scar that has already been disinfected and is in the process of healing. Remember that this preparation will not be sterile.
To prepare it, you need to add a teaspoon of table salt to 250 cubic centimeters of water. The same proportion must be followed to prepare larger quantities. After that, the preparation can be stored in sterile containers. You can use it within the next 48 hours; after this period of time it must be thrown away.
It can be stored at room temperature or in a freezer. No differences in useful life have been reported with either method. However, it must be taken into account that the ambient temperature referred to is mild, it is neither tropical nor extremely hot.
Now that you know the uses of saline, you can use it without fear if necessary. It is a very useful solution with a simple composition that in extreme cases can even save lives.
