How do nicotine patches work

A. The patch is self-adhesive and looks like a large plaster. The outer ring sticks to the skin, while the inner portion presses against the skin and slowly releases nicotine into the skin. Unlike smoke, which passes almost instantaneously into the blood through the linings of the lung, the nicotine in the patch takes up to three hours to make its way through the layers of skin and into the user 's blood.

The principle behind nicotine replacement therapy is that by providing nicotine in a form other than a cigarette it's possible to minimize the symptoms of withdrawal while a person is weaned from smoking.

A nicotine patch does not work by itself, the person using it must be determined to stop smoking.

Q. Why is nicotine so addictive

A. Nicotine use, which has been around for thousands of years, makes the smoker feel both relaxed and stimulated at the same time. The effects only last for a short time, however, and it's necessary to smoke periodically throughout the day to keep feeling the effects of nicotine.

Additionally, over time your body becomes more tolerant to the effects of nicotine and so the user has to smoke more to achieve the same degree of stimulation or relaxation.

Smoking changes the way our bodies and brains work. While a person smokes his or her body adapts to compensate for the effects of the nicotine. When people give up smoking, these physiological adaptations for nicotine remain and so the body can't function the same way in the absence of nicotine as it did before, at least in the short term. Withdrawal symptoms include irritability, anger, anxiety, restlessness, inability to concentrate, hunger, and nicotine craving.

Q. What possible side effects are there when using a nicotine patch

A. The most common side effect is skin irritation, which can be alleviated by moving the patch to a different part of your body. But actual allergic reaction to the patch is rare.

If a person carries on smoking while using a nicotine patch they're exposing their body to nicotine overdose. Signs of nicotine overdose include headache. dizziness. abdominal pain, drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cold sweats, blurred vision, difficulty hearing, mental confusion, weakness, and fainting.

Q. Where should you put a nicotine patch

A. The patch is designed to be applied to a clean, hairless place on your skin. Most people prefer the upper arm or shoulder, however, it can also be applied to the legs, thighs, and other areas. It is not recommended that the patch be applied to the same location repeatedly.

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by Lisa Cardy