First off, what are smelling salts? Smelling salts are ammonia-based chemical inhalants that usually contain ammonium carbonate. Smelling salts are used to wake people up from fainting. They are also used by athletes to boost their responsiveness by irritating their nasal membranes and lungs. This irritation causes the person to deeply inhale on reflex and a rush of oxygen is sent to the brain which increases heart rate and alertness.

While smelling salts have their benefits, they also have cons as well. Doctors caution against using smelling salts for head injuries caused by any sort of trauma. Some sport organizations have also banned smelling salts to prevent hiding significant trauma. When smelling salts are used while a person has a head injury, it can worsen their spinal injuries or hide their concussion symptoms which make the person be in a dangerous situation after a head injury. Also, excessive use of smelling salts can cause irritation or headaches. Instead of using smelling salts to wake a person up from fainting, doctors advise people to lay down and take deep breaths.

Smelling salts are generally safe to use as long as they aren’t used incorrectly, when the person who is using smelling salts has a head injury, and the salts aren’t being overused. Overuse and misuse can lead to chemical burns when direct contact is made and can burn skin, eyes, and nasal passages. Respiratory problems like asthma can worsen and airway can be constricted, injuries can be easily masked, and they can lead to headaches, vomiting, fainting, migraines and seizures. When smelling salts must be used or are approved, make sure you keep the salts four to six inches away from the nose, avoid repeated or prolonged inhalation, and only use smelling salts when a person has fainted, not as an energy boost every couple of hours.