A saline solution works wonders for many treatments, such as sore throats, piercing treatments, and skin infections. The best thing is that you can make it yourself in a few minutes with two ingredients you find in the kitchen. Here's how to prepare your natural and effective solution.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: in the Microwave
Step 1. Purchase some sea salt or regular salt
Don't buy flavored, colored or spicy ones; you need the salt to be as pure as possible. Make sure it's free of iodine and preservatives; if there is anything besides salt it could irritate your skin, nasal passages or the place where you are applying the solution.
Step 2. Put half a teaspoon (about 2.5 grams) of salt in a cup
You have to recreate the concentration of salt as in tears, with a 0.9% saline solution. For children try to put less salt; for adults it is fine even if it is slightly more concentrated. But just a little!
- If you want, some recipes recommend adding about 2.5g of baking soda. However, regular saline does not need it.
- This recipe is for 240ml of water. If you use more, put more salt.
Step 3. Add 240ml of hot water and mix well
Put the cup in the microwave for a minute, pour it into your kettle, or use any other tool that warms it without bringing the water to a boil. Help the salt dissolve with a spoon.
- Make sure you have mixed well! If the water looks cloudy, throw it away.
- If you want to be extra careful, use distilled water (or water that has already been boiled before). This way you are sure that everything is sterile and sanitized.
Step 4. Depending on how you use the solution, you can soak the injured part in it, clean it or gargle
But make sure you don't swallow it! For the record, saline is not suitable for open wounds.
- As for piercings, do not immerse them in saline solution. Only clean the area around it as it can leave the skin dry. Talk to a licensed professional about the best ways to take care of your new piercing.
- If you need to treat nail or other skin infections (not open wounds), soak the injured area in the solution four times a day. This method takes a few days or weeks to take effect; see a doctor if the infection spreads, and if you see a red line from the affected area go to the emergency room.
- For a sore throat, gargle in the morning and evening; do not ingest the solution even if, in case it happens to you, it is not dangerous. If your sore throat persists for more than two days, see your doctor.
Method 2 of 2: on the stove
Step 1. Pour 240ml of water and 2.5g of salt into a saucepan
Make sure the salt is free of iodine and preservatives, no dyes, flavors or other unnecessary additives.
2.5g of salt doesn't seem like much, does it? For adults, even a slightly higher amount is considered safe, but only a little. You must have a solution with a concentration similar to that of tears, about 0.9%
Step 2. Bring to a boil for 15 minutes
Cover the saucepan from the start. Set the timer and wait. If you need to make something else (like a jar or neti pot) do it now.
Step 3. Use your solution
The most common uses for saline are sinus washing, treating sore throats, or rinsing contact lenses. Just make sure it's appropriate and safe for your use.
If you need to gargle, wait for it to cool down a bit to avoid burning your throat. the solution should be very hot, but not hot. The same goes for washing the nasal passages or the skin; you certainly don't want to make the problem worse
Step 4. Pour the remaining solution into a sterile jar, bottle or cup
Make sure the container has been sterilized to ensure the saline is effective. You can make sure by boiling the containers.
Warnings
- If symptoms persist, contact a doctor.
- If you are unsure whether you have an infection, see your doctor.
- Do not boil the water, heat it so that you can use it without burning yourself. Boiling it will no longer become effective.
