Can Salt Water Really Heal Wounds?

The answer to this question is yes.

This is because salt water helps to clean and promote healing by a process called osmosis. Salt (sodium chloride) forces the liquid in cells to move out of the body when it comes in contact with them. If there is bacteria in the liquids, it is forced out too, helping to cleanse the skin.

This is why salt water has been used since ancient times to treat cuts, wounds, sores, and skin irritations. Today, saline solution is used in medicine to cleanse wounds and help promote healing. However, although sea water and saline solution have similar concentrations of salt, you really shouldn’t use sea water on wounds. The reason for this is that sea water is not sterile and can harbor bacteria that can infect your wounds. Saline solution, however, is sterile and is a much safer (and convenient) alternative. You can find saline solution at your local pharmacy if you need it.