What is normal saline – and how is it used?
Normal saline, also known as isotonic saline or 0.9% saline, is a solution of salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) in water. It has a concentration of 9 grams of sodium chloride per litre of water, which is roughly equivalent to the concentration of sodium chloride in human blood.
Normal saline has several uses in medicine
- IV fluid/rehydration: Normal saline is used to replenish fluids and electrolytes in patients who are dehydrated due to illness, injury, or surgery
- Wound irrigation: Normal saline is used to clean and flush wounds, helping to remove debris and promote healing
- Eye and skin care: Normal saline is used to rinse eyes and skin, helping to remove irritants and reduce inflammation
- Medical procedures: Normal saline is used as a flushing agent during medical procedures, such as dialysis, surgery, and endoscopy.
