Smelling salts Facts for Kids (2024)

FAQs

Are smelling salts ok for children? ›

Smelling salts should only be used in limited situations under the guidance of a health professional. Coaches, parents and athletic trainers are crucial to ending the inappropriate use of smelling salts in young athletes.

Smelling salts are used to arouse consciousness because the release of ammonia (NH₃) gas that accompanies their use irritates the membranes of the nose and lungs, and thereby triggers an inhalation reflex. This reflex alters the pattern of breathing, resulting in improved respiratory flow rates and possibly alertness.

The ammonia in smelling salts irritates your airways and triggers a breathing reflex that sends lots of oxygen to your brain. This wakes you up if you've fainted and may cause a temporary rush of energy.

When ammonium carbonate is mixed with water, it releases “aromatic spirits of ammonia,” and the reaction creates fumes that rise from the salts. Ammonia present in smelling salts irritates the nasal and lung membranes of a person when they sniff it.

Parents should also be on the lookout for products that may be appealing to children (Figure 3), especially since child-resistant safety caps are likely not on these products. Here's what you can do: Do not purchase or use Nose Slap, Soul Slap, or any other “smelling salt” products.

Inhaling ammonia can quickly lead to eye, nose, and throat irritation; coughing; and airway constriction. FDA has received reports of adverse events such as shortness of breath, seizures, migraines, vomiting, diarrhea, and fainting from consumers after using the Nose Slap or Soul Slap products.

When inhaled, the chemicals in smelling salts cause nose and throat irritation as well as temporary increases in heart rate. While smelling salts are generally safe when used as directed, prolonged inhalation may result in permanent lung damage or death.

But using smelling salts is not without risks. Not only do they immediately cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, but they also can cause coughing and watery eyes. Overusing smelling salts can lead to a number of more serious issues including breathing difficulties, irreversible lung damage, and even death.

At the end of the day, ammonia is a toxic substance. It's diluted in smelling salts, but using them too frequently or holding them too close to your nose can put you at risk for severe irritation of the nose and lungs or, in very rare cases, asphyxiation and death.

NOSE SLAP! ™ - Instant, Intense, Aroma - delivers a refreshing and exciting blast of peppermint aroma that instantly "slaps" you out of your funk and helps you feel motivated to get up and go.

How long does a nose slap last? ›

Is it reusable? After activating your NOSE SLAP! ™ product the tube will provide an intense, refreshing blast of fragrance for 10+ slaps or more depending on how frequently the bottle is opened.

Smelling salts have been reviving people for hundreds of years, but you don't have to smell something distasteful. Put a bottle of a pleasant-smelling essential oil like orange, grapefruit, or mint next to your bed to sniff in order to shake yourself out of a groggy state.

“Historically, people have used smelling salts to revive someone after a fainting spell,” explains family medicine physician Elizabeth Rainbolt, MD. “But they're not used much medically anymore. These days, they're commercially available and being used by some people as a pre-workout stimulant of sorts.”

If mixed correctly I have had bottles last up to 6 months with weekly use.

Smelling salts are also used by some athletes as a stimulant. Using smelling salts before or during competition, the athletes hope to increase their energy and respiratory rate and improve their alertness, focus, and reaction time.

At the end of the day, ammonia is a toxic substance. It's diluted in smelling salts, but using them too frequently or holding them too close to your nose can put you at risk for severe irritation of the nose and lungs or, in very rare cases, asphyxiation and death.

For people without underlying health issues, there is no evidence to indicate that using smelling salts as directed is dangerous. However, people with asthma and respiratory problems should be aware that they can result in difficulty breathing or increased airway irritation.

Smelling salts can put you at risk for chemical burns, Dr. Rainbolt warns. That's particularly true if you hold the bottle or packet too close to your eyes or it comes in contact with your skin. With repeated use, smelling salts can even cause burns inside your nasal passages.