Saline Spray: A First Aid Essential for Every Home

As we proceed through our days, it is well-understood that minor injuries are inevitable. Cuts, abrasions, scrapes, minor burns, etc. happen to all of us. Such minor injuries, if left untreated, can become infected and cause a lot of trouble as proper medical care becomes necessary.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year, approximately 57 million Americans pay a visit to different healthcare facilities for the treatment and management of injuries. However, most of these injuries, if minor, can be treated with first-aid products like a saline spray.

In this article, let us learn what a saline spray is, what its composition is, and what benefits it can provide during first aid:

What is a Saline Spray?

A saline spray is a product employed to cleanse the wounds and keep them hygienic so that the risk of infections can be minimized. A saline spray removes the debris as well as bacterial entities that are associated with the site of injury.

“Some saline sprays, called saline nasal sprays, also come in for relieving nasal congestion by thinning the mucus. These also provide moisture to the dry nasal passages. In addition, some are suitable for use in the eyes as these can remove debris, small particles, or insects.”

Composition

As the name suggests, saline sprays are composed of two simple ingredients i.e. sodium chloride and purified water. The concentration of the saline solution thus prepared is 0.9% which is isotonic to the body.

Being isotonic means that these saline spray products mimic the natural tonicity of our bodies. As a result, there is no risk that our body cells will shrink or burst by using a saline spray. In addition, a saline spray is safe to use and does not cause skin irritation or redness.

Applications of Saline Sprays

There are several applications of a saline spray. These include the following:

Treatment of Minor Wounds

Being a first-aid essential, a saline spray is ideal for the treatment of minor wounds and injuries such as:

• Cuts
• Abrasions
• Scrapes
• Piercings

Immediate Relief from Irritation

In workplaces where the employees may become exposed to some types of harmful chemicals that have the potential to cause irritation, a saline spray comes in handy. These should be sprayed immediately on the irritated area for instant relief.

However, if clean water is available, the first step should be rinsing the irritated skin with running water. In case of its unavailability, the use of a saline spray is your best option. It can flush the irritant out of the skin and stop the burning sensation.

Cool Compression of Minor Burns

In case of minor burns, the patient feels a strong sensation of burning in addition to a sharp pain. In such situations, cooling down the affected area is necessary. For this purpose, the first step is to run cool water on the wound for at least 10 minutes. This should reduce the pain. If the pain and burning sensation still remains, you can take more time until the pain stops.

If clean and cool water is not available, you can use a saline spray to make a cool compress on the burnt area. This should be done by spraying the saline solution on a piece of cloth and putting it on the affected surface.

Benefits of a Saline Spray

As a saline spray is simple in its composition, it has the following advantages over several other wound care products:

Ease of Usage

As a saline spray comes in a small spray bottle which is easy to handle, it can be operated by one hand. This allows the patient to use the saline spray by herself if no caregiver is available.

Non-Irritant Products

A saline spray is gentle on the skin and does not cause irritation. Unlike other products which may cause skin redness, irritation, stinging, or itching sensation, saline sprays are safe and do not alter the natural tonicity as well as the pH of the skin.

Sterility

A saline spray is sterile which means it is 100% free from bacteria. This type of sterility is achieved by sterilizing the saline sprays either during manufacturing (in-process sterilization or aseptic processing) or after manufacturing and packing them (terminal sterilization).

Neutrality

Saline sprays are neutral as their pH is 7. This makes them suitable for use on the body because they do not make the body acidic or basic.

Isotonic Nature

Owing to their composition, saline sprays are isotonic to the body. It means that the saline spray, when employed on a wound, does not change the tonicity of the body cells. Therefore, the cells remain intact and do not shrink or expand due to the influx or efflux of water from them.

Prevention of Infections

The use of a saline spray prevents the incidence of infections at the site of injury or trauma. This is because it washes away the microbes already present on the wound site and restricts the growth of new ones. In addition, the sterile nature of a saline spray itself lowers the infection risk.

Protection of Healthy Tissue

Another advantage of using a saline spray is that it does not damage the healthy tissues that are present around the wound. In fact, the intactness of the surrounding tissues is essential because these nearby cells perform division to make new cells which will replace the dead cells at the site of injury.

How to Make a Saline Spray at Home?

You can either purchase a saline spray from a trusted brand or you can also make your saline solution at home. To do so, follow the given instructions:

• Accurately weigh 0.9 grams of sodium chloride (NaCl) on a weighing balance.
• Put the weighed amount of sodium chloride into a container.
• Now add clean and drinkable water into the container in a small amount.
• Mix the assembly well until all the salt is dissolved in water.
• Then make up the volume up to 100 ml by adding more water into the container.
• Store in a clean spray bottle and use within the next 24 hours.

How to Store and Handle a Saline Spray?

When you have a saline spray in your first-aid kit, it is important to store it correctly to maximize its efficacy. In addition, proper handling is also required while usage. In this regard, keep in mind the following guidelines:

• Store saline spray bottles in a cool and dry place.
• Do not expose the saline spray containers to direct sunlight. This can modify the properties of the solution thus rendering it ineffective.
• To prevent contamination in case of a homemade saline spray, store it in a clean container. Make sure to sterilize the container by exposing it to direct heat before pouring the saline into it.
• In the case of a workplace, it is essential to train your employees about the proper ways of storing and using a saline spray.
• Once the saline spray has been consumed, it is essential to dispose of the empty containers properly.
• Do not use an expired saline spray. Replace the product timely in your first-aid kit.
• In the case of homemade saline solution, usage after 24 hours is dangerous as there is a higher chance of bacterial growth in the container due to the absence of any preservatives.

Caution

If your wound is not recovering even after using a saline spray and waiting for a few days after the injury, consult a healthcare professional for a prescription of antibiotics or other necessary treatments.

Saline Sprays at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications

A saline spray is a product that is employed for managing minor injuries and traumas. Their normal saline-based composition allows the body cells to remain intact and undamaged. Their application also prevents the risk of infections at the site of injury.

Considering their importance, many brands manufacture different types of saline sprays. Some of these saline sprays are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below along with their features and purchase links:

Nurse Assist 6507 Sterile Wound Flush Saline Spray– 7.1 oz. Spray Can 12/CS

US$86.88

Product Details

Nurse Assist 6507 sterile saline solution wound flush is a spray-based product that comes in a packaging of 7.1 ounces. When it comes to its composition, the product contains sodium chloride solution (table salt) in a concentration of 0.9%. The manufacturing process involves the use of a method set by the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP).

These Nurse Assist 6507 sterile wound flush saline sprays are sterile and therefore their use does not increase the risk of any kind of infection at the site of injury. The containers in which these are packed are strong and temper-proof and contain the saline spray in a concentration of 5 to 9 ounces.

Nurse Assist 6503 Sterile Wound Flush Saline Spray– 3 oz. Spray Can 12/CS

US$74.88

Product Details

Nurse Assist 6503 sterile wound flush saline spray is a sterile product employed for cleaning wounds. It is effective in its job and prevents infections which makes it a must-have product in a first-aid kit.

Like the above-mentioned product, these Nurse Assist 6503 sterile wound flush saline sprays are also manufactured using an aqueous solution of non-iodized salt or sodium chloride in 0.9% concentration. The product comes in a packaging of 3 ounces while the volume of the saline spray can vary between 0 to 4 ounces.

*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.

The above-mentioned products, along with many other medical supplies, can be ordered from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link given in the article to check out the wide range of instruments and devices for the diagnosis and management of wounds.

Bottom Line

Minor wounds, cuts, scrapes, as well as burns, are among the injuries which happen to all of us. If not properly managed, these small issues can become significant if infected by bacteria, viruses, or other microbial entities.

In this regard, the use of a saline spray is recommended. These products are ideal as they help reduce the pain in the affected area, clean the debris, and flush the dirt and blood out of the site of injury. In addition, saline spray also prevents an infection which can occur if the area is left untreated and exposed.

Overall, the product has numerous benefits and should be kept in bulk in healthcare facilities. Moreover, their use in home settings and workplaces is also significant. For purchasing top-quality medical products including saline sprays, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.

References

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/injury.htm