A Nurse’s Guide to a Surprising Nausea Relief Technique: Sniffing Rubbing Alcohol
Have you ever felt queasy and instinctively reached for ginger ale or crackers? While these remedies might seem familiar, there's a lesser-known trick that nurses have been using for generations: sniffing rubbing alcohol. While this might initially surprise you, the strong scent of isopropyl alcohol can often work wonders in calming an upset stomach. Curious how this sharp smell can alleviate nausea? Let’s explore this unexpected remedy and discover why it's still a go-to among healthcare professionals. Why Sniffing Rubbing Alcohol Helps Nausea This method of managing nausea is not new. According to Jennifer Shepherd, DNP, MHA, RN, director of nursing education at the American Nurses Association, isopropyl alcohol has been used historically as a folk remedy for nausea, particularly in South America. Recent studies have supported this practice, indicating that sniffing alcohol can significantly reduce nausea severity—by over 50%—often more effectively than…