# cotton, medical

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-medical/241425>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 22, 2004, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-medical/241425 "2004-04-22T14:31:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![paul\_smars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3be4f8/32.png) [@paul\_smars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paul_smars)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-medical/241425/1 "2004-04-22T14:31:48Z")

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Can I save and use the cotton in the vitamin bottles as I would use the cotton balls purchased in the bath section of my drug store??

Paul

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**Author:** ![beajerry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@beajerry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beajerry)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-medical/241425/2 "2004-04-22T15:11:18Z")

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Sure, but be careful with cotton from bottles of uncoated pills or unsealed capsules, 'cause the med dust will be in the cotton.