Learn about smelling salts, including whether they are safe, their advantages, disadvantages, and whether they have any benefits.
Although they are no longer commonly used, athletes have begun using smelling salts to enhance their athletic performance. This has earned smelling salts a dubious reputation. However, smelling salts are safe to use.
Contents include
1 How Smelling Salts Work
2 smelling salts benefits
3 what do smellingsalts do
4 Risks and Side Effects
5 Safety Concerns About Smelling Salts
6 what doessmelling saltssmell like
7 what are smelling salts
How Smelling Salts Work
Smelling salts are made from a chemical, usually ammonia, that has a very strong odor. When smelling salts are placed under the nose of a person who has fainted, the strong smell can wake them up again.
The fumes from smelling salts are pungent (think of the pungent smell of bleach when you're cleaning something). When held up to someone's nose, the fumes irritate the inside of the nose. This irritation causes the lungs to take deep, rapid breaths to clear the nasal passages.
The fumes trigger the breathing reflex, which helps restart the breathing rhythm and send oxygen to the brain. It may seem like a miracle that the sight of a little bit of salt can wake someone up from unconsciousness, but the pungent smell and surge of oxygen simply kick-start your consciousness.
Dosage and Uses. The amount, frequency, and length of time you use smelling salts depends primarily on why you are using them and the strength of the salts. Refer to the product instructions or your doctor for proper use.
Storage. Since smelling salts are ammonia-based, they are fairly easy to store. Store in a closed container at room temperature and away from moisture.
smelling salts benefits
The primary benefit of smelling salts is their ability to revive someone who has fainted. Although they are no longer widely used by doctors, they are still effective in this regard.
Athletic trainers have found other uses for smelling salts. One use is in treating head injuries. Athletes may lose consciousness from a head injury or become confused as a result of a head injury, and smelling salts can be used as a temporary self-treatment.
Athletes have turned to smelling salts for a burst of energy and focus. However, there is no evidence that they have any such benefits, and smelling salts have even been banned by some leagues.
Risks and Side Effects
If used properly, smelling salts have no adverse effects. Some uncommon side effects include.
Coughing
Difficulty breathing
Headache
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Overuse of smelling salts may cause damage to your nasal passages. The sharp fumes of ammonia may burn your nostril membranes, but this requires frequent and large use of smelling salts.
Be cautious when using smelling salts to treat head injuries. There are immediate benefits to using smelling salts to treat a concussion or similar head injury, but it may complicate further treatment. Smelling salts may mask a more serious injury or mask worsening symptoms, complicating a proper neurological evaluation.
When a person is resuscitated with smelling salts, they may reflexively twitch their head and neck to try to get away from the ammonia fumes. If someone passes out from a head injury, this could further injure them.
Smelling salts may not react well with pre-existing conditions. People with existing respiratory conditions may experience adverse reactions. These conditions include
Asthma
Bronchitis
Emphysema
Chronic lung disease
Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Ammonia is a corrosive chemical that can irritate and burn things it comes into contact with. If smelling salts get in your eyes, rinse your eyes gently with clean water and contact a poison control center, doctor, or emergency room.
