How to Make a Saline Solution

1
In the Microwave

  1. Image titled Make a Saline Solution Step 1
    1
    Purchase either regular table salt or sea salt. Do not buy fancy, scented, coloured or flavoured salts; the salt needs to be as pure as possible. Make sure it's iodine-free and lacks preservatives -- if it's anything but salt it could irritate your skin/nasal lining / whatever you're using it for.
  2. to Make a Saline Solution
    2
    Put a 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) of salt into a cup. You want to mimic the concentration of salt or tears by creating a normal (the actual term) solution that's 0.9% saline. 1/2 tsp is about right for fine table salt, but not for coarse sea salt, where the volume needed to obtain 2.5 g can be up to twice that of fine salt.[1] For kids, stay on the less-salty side; for adults, a bit saltier is okay. But just a bit!
    • If you like, some recipes say to add 1/2 a teaspoon or so of baking soda.[2]However, a normal solution doesn't need it.
    • This is for 8 ounces of water. If you're using more water, use more salt.
  3. to Make a Saline Solution
    3
    Add 8 ounces (1 cup) of hot water and stir well. Zap it in the microwave for a minute or so, set it in your kettle, or otherwise somehow get it to a point where it's hot but not boiling. You will need to run the microwave significantly longer than 1 minute to ensure sterility. Using a covered pyrex bowl works more quickly, but the top may become displaced by buildup of steam if heating is prolonged. Grab a spoon and help it dissolve.
    • Make sure it's stirred well! If it's cloudy or dirty, throw it out.
    • If you want to be extra careful, use distilled water (or water that has actually reached a boil). This makes sure everything is sterile and hygienic.[3]
  4. to Make a Saline Solution
    4
    Depending on your situation either cleanse, submerge or gargle the saline solution. But make sure not to swallow it! For the record, it's not intended for open wounds, either.
    • For piercings, do not submerge in water. Cleanse the area only, as the saline solution can leave the surrounding areas quite dry. Speak to a licensed professional for the best way to care for your new piercing.
    • For nail infections or other skin related infections (not open wounds) submerge the appendage in the saline 4 times a day. This method can take days to weeks to work, see a medical professional before it spreads, and if you see a red line traveling up your appendage go to the ER.
    • For a sore throat gargle morning and night, do not ingest the solution, though doing so by mistake will not harm you. If the sore throat persists after 2 days see a doctor.

    • 2
      On the Stove

      1. to Make a Saline Solution
        1
        Place 1 cup of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a pan. That's 8 ounces of water and about 2.5 grams of salt. Make sure the salt is iodide-free and lacks preservatives, coloring, scent, or any other fancy stuff that's unnecessary.
        • 1/2 a teaspoon doesn't seem like much, does it? For adults, it's safe to add a bit more, but just a bit. You want to have a solution that's similar to your own tears -- that's 0.9% saline.
      2. to Make a Saline Solution
        2
        Bring to a boil for 15 minutes. Place the lid on from the start. If you do not use a lid, too much of the water will boil away and the solution will be too salty. Set the timer and walk away. If you need to prep something else at this juncture (like a neti pot or jar), do so now.
      3. to Make a Saline Solution
        3
        Use your solution. The most common use for saline solution is to clear the sinuses, help a sore throat or to rinse contact lenses. Just make sure it's safe and appropriate for whatever means you want to use it for.
        • If you're gargling it, wait for it to cool down a tad so it doesn't burn your throat -- it should be very warm -- not searingly hot. Same goes for using it in your nasal passageway or on your skin; you don't want to exacerbate your problem!
      4. to Make a Saline Solution
        4
        Pour the rest into a sterile jar, bottle, or cup. If you have extras that is. Make sure your container is sterile to ensure the solution stays effective. You can be sure it is by boiling it, too.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Treat Knee Inflammation

Image
Part 1 Caring for Inflammation at Home 1 Give your knee a break.  If your knee is inflamed you should give it as much rest as possible. Activity on the knee will only increase inflammation. Rest will give your body a chance to heal the underlying cause. Rest your knee as much as possible. Most people still need to walk and do simple movements with a knee that has inflammation. If this is the case for you, at least try to avoid strenuous activity on the knee. If the inflammation has not improved after 1-2 days, you should see your doctor. 2 Apply cold to the area.  Inflammation can be reduced by icing the knee. Reducing the temperature of the area constricts blood vessels, which reduces swelling. It also decreases pain by numbing the area. Apply an ice pack for 15 minutes of every hour. Doing this for 3 to 4 hours in a row will reduce inflammation drastically. [1] You can use an actual ice pack to reduce inflammation. However, a bag of frozen vege...
Read more

How to Prepare Healthy Meals on the Go

Image
Method 1 Setting Yourself Up For Success 1 Make a meal plan.  Having a game plan for what you and your family will be eating each week can be a game changer. With a meal plan, you will be more likely to eat healthy foods, even if you are on the go. Sit down with your family once a week and make a plan for what you will be eating at each meal during the upcoming week. [1] 2 Create a shopping list.  Once you have your healthy meal plan put together, you will need to make a shopping list. Go through all the recipes you will be making and list all of the ingredients you will need to make your meals. Be sure to go through your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer to see what ingredients you already have on hand. [2] 3 Take a weekly trip to the grocery store.  Making sure your kitchen is stocked with healthy food is one of the most important parts of successfully preparing healthy meals. Pick a day that you can make a weekly shopping trip, and m...
Read more