Saline, also known as 0.9% sodium chloride, is a sterile saline solution used to make infusions into the vein in case of decreased fluid or salt in the body, cleansing eyes, nose, burns and sores or for misting.
This product can be purchased from conventional pharmacies without a prescription in the form of plastic bottles whose price may vary depending on the amount of liquid in the packaging.
Saline can be used in several situations
A saline solution may be used to treat lack of fluids or salt in the body, which can occur from episodes of diarrhea, vomiting, gastric aspiration, digestive fistula, excessive sweating, severe burns or bleeding.Know the symptoms of dehydration.
In case of dehydration, administration should be done directly into a vein by a healthcare professional.
The saline solution can also be used for eye cleaning, but it is always advisable to use closed and sterilized containers, for this the ideal is to opt for single-use individual containers, which can be found in pharmacies or supermarkets.
To facilitate cleaning with saline solution, sterile compresses soaked in this solution can be used.
Washing burns or wounds with a saline solution should always be done from the center to the periphery and can be performed by a health care professional in the hospital or at home, in order to remove waste from the area susceptible to infection.
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Nebulized inhalation with saline solution is an excellent treatment for sinusitis, colds or flu, as it helps moisten the airways and dilute secretions, clearing the airways and facilitating breathing.See how to do the nebulization for sinusitis.
In addition, saline is also widely used to dilute drugs such as budesonide, ipratropium bromide or salbutamol, for example, which prolongs misting time.
A great way to uncover the nose is to do a nasal wash with a saline solution and a syringe without needle, because thanks to the force of gravity, the water enters through one nostril and exits the other, without causing pain or discomfort, eliminating secretions..
In addition, it is also a good way to keep the nose clean, useful for people with respiratory allergies, rhinitis or sinusitis, for example. Discover how to do the nasal wash.
In some situations, saline can also be used as a drug vehicle, so that it can then be administered directly into the vein.
Saline is generally well tolerated and rarely causes side effects.In addition, side effects depend on the route of administration, and the main side effects include edema, erythema, infection and abscess at the injection site, thrombophlebitis, electrolyte imbalances, pyontic myelosis, hyperchloremia and hypernatremia.
Saline should not be used in people with hypersensitivity to sodium chloride or any other component of the product.In addition, saline should not be used intravenously in patients with hypernatremia, decompensated heart failure, renal failure or generalized swelling.