Frequently Asked Questions

Neti pots use normal saline to rinse the nose of excess mucous. Normal saline is water to which salt is added and has the same degree of saltiness as your body's fluids. Saline rinses temporarily relieve nasal stuffiness (congestion) and soothes the irritated cells that line the nose. Saline dissolves dry, sticky nasal crusts and helps the nose clear these secretions.

You can achieve the same effect with a hot shower or a steam bath, but it may be more convenient to use the neti pot several times a day. The major danger from a neti pot is getting your clothing wet. Nevertheless take the precaution of thoroughly cleansing the pot after each use to prevent the growth of bacteria in the pot and especially on the tip that enters your nose.

The key points when applying a bandage are:

  • make sure the person is comfortable and tell them what you're doing
  • work from the side of the injury so you do not have to lean across their body
  • keep the injured part of the body supported in the position it'll be in when the bandage is on
  • use the right size bandage – different parts of the body need different widths of bandage
  • avoid covering fingers or toes when bandaging a limb so you can easily check the circulation
  • apply the bandage firmly, but not tightly, and secure the end by tucking it in securely. You can also use a safety pin, tape or a bandage clip
  • as soon as the bandage is on, ask if it feels too tight and check the circulation by pressing on a fingernail or a piece of skin until it turns pale. If the colour does not return after 2 seconds, the bandage may be too tight, so you should loosen it. Limbs can swell up after an injury, so check the circulation every 10 minutes after you have put the bandage on

Usually when someone has a "seasonal allergy", it means springtime symptoms caused by pollen. Although pollen allergy certainly can cause nasal, eye or asthma symptoms, it rarely would cause a rash without at least some of these respiratory symptoms going on as well.

Eczema tends to be worse in summer (because of sweating) or winter (due to cold/dry air). Hives tend to be a bit more common during winter, possibly because of the cold air or more frequent respiratory infections. Neither of these conditions would be considered allergic.

It's important to clean a wound before applying a plaster or dressing. This will reduce the risk of infection and encourage the healing process.

A plaster or larger dressing is usually all that is needed to stop a wound bleeding.

However, you might need to apply pressure to the area, and if an arm or leg is affected, you should raise it above heart level if possible.

Follow these steps:

  • wash and dry your hands thoroughly
  • wear disposable gloves if available
  • if treating someone else, tell them what you're doing and make sure they're sitting or lying down
  • don't try to remove anything embedded in the wound – seek medical advice (see below)
  • rinse the wound under running tap water for 5 to 10 minutes
  • soak a gauze pad or cloth in saline solution or tap water, or use an alcohol-free wipe, and gently dab or wipe the skin with it – don't use antiseptic as this may damage the skin
  • gently pat the area dry using a clean towel or pad of tissues, but nothing fluffy such as a cotton wool ball – strands of material can get stuck to the wound
  • apply a sterile dressing, such as a non-adhesive pad with a bandage, or a plaster – use a waterproof dressing if available
  • if blood soaks through the dressing, leave it in place and add another dressing, and continue to apply pressure on the wound

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