50 First Aid Myths & Mistakes
Keeping your family safe is one of the most important (and most challenging) things you need to do day in and day out. It is critical that you know the facts when it comes to handling medical emergencies inside and outside the home. Below we've complied 50 common first aid myths and mistakes to help you know what advice to follow (and what common myths to ignore) the next time you're faced with a first aid emergency. Our myth-busting list will help you separate fact from fiction, and ensure that you and your family are prepared the next time disaster strikes.
Around the Home Myths - Outdoor Myths - Common First Aid Mistakes with Kids - Cold, Flu & Fever Myths - Athletic Injury Myths - Medical Emergency Myths - Additional Resources
Around the Home: Myths to Throw in the Trash
These first aid emergencies often occur on home turf, and many people use around-the-house remedies as quick cures – but can you really trust these tricks?
- Finger on Ice: Severing a finger while slicing vegetables or chopping wood is more common than anyone wants to believe. If you have severed a body part, such as a finger or a toe, many people assume the best way to preserve it is by packing it in a cooler on ice. This has been played out many times on sitcoms but, in reality, this is a first aid myth made for laughs only. Instead, wrap the severed appendage in damp gauze, place it in a water-tight bag, and head to the emergency room. You can apply ice to the wound on the hand or body, and cover it with a clean, dry cloth.
- Ice for Burns: It might make sense to ice something that is burnt to cool it down, but this is another first aid myth. If you are suffering from a burn, wash it and apply an antibiotic ointment. If the burn is severe or occured on your eyes, mouth, or genital region, head to the ER.
- Butter for Burns: Another common myth about burn treatment is that you should put butter or grease on the wound. Again, not the best move. You could get an infection.
- Rubbing Objects Out of Your Eyes: When something is in your eye, your instinct may be to try to get it out by rubbing your eye. This can actually lodge the foreign object even deeper into your eye, where it can do more damage. Instead, rinse the eye with tap water to avoid a serious abrasion or tear.
- Milky Tooth: Milk does a body good and it can also save a tooth if you've knocked one out of your mouth. If you have a knocked-out tooth, it's possible to have it re-planted if you put the tooth in milk and head straight to emergency. This is a home remedy that actually works!
- Control Poison Ingestion with Ipecac Syrup: Unless you've been instructed to take Ipecac or another vomiting-induced medication by emergency personnel, do not take it. It might seem to make sense to induce vomiting if you've swallowed poison, but the better move is to call emergency services right away.
- Milk for Poison Control: Another common misconception about poison control is that you should drink milk if you have accidently consumed poison. Milk will not magically coat your throat and abolish the poison. No liquid will. Instead, call the emergency services.
- The Whisky Toothache: Drinking alcohol for a toothache is more likely to make you tipsy than to stop the pain. Try acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead and call a dentist.
Out and About: Outdoor First Aid Myths
Accidents often happen outdoors, away from home. Take the necessary precautions to administer first aid without succumbing to these common first aid errors.
- Sucking the Venom From a Snake Bite: Forget what you've seen on the big screen–cutting the skin of a snakebite victim and sucking the poison out is not only useless, but also extremely dangerous.
- Doing the Snake Bite Sprint: If you've been bitten by a snake it might seem sensible to walk, run, or crawl to the nearest emergency facility and get help, even if you're on a mountain or hiking trail. Don't. Instead, stay where you are. Running for help will release more venom into your blood stream. You need to stay out of harm's way and call for emergency services, even if you're in the middle of nowhere.
- Urine for Jellyfish stings: Not only is peeing on a jellyfish sting awkward, it's also unnecessary. Vinegar is a much more suitable method for relieving the pain of a North American jellyfish sting.
- Vinegar for a Sunburn: This acidic myth belongs in the trash. If you do get sunburnt, applying vinegar will not do anything but make you smell like a salad. Instead, reach for Aloe Vera, ibuprofen, or Noxzema, which can help with the inflammation.
- Pull a Victim from a Car Accident: If someone is injured in a vehicle accident and the vehicle isn't threatened by fire or another serious hazard, then it's best to leave them where they are until emergency help comes. Even a slight move in the wrong direction can lead to paralysis or death if the victim has injured his/her spinal cord.
- Alcohol Cures Hypothermia: Alcohol may warm the throat for a minute, but it does not help warm up the entire body of a person with hypothermia. Offer hot non-alcoholic fluids instead.
- Rub Frostbite Away: We all rub our hands together as a way to warm up. However, if you're suffering from frostbite, rubbing the affected area will do more harm than good. When water in the tissue freezes because of frostbite, it expands and forms tiny crystals in the skin cells. Rubbing the skin together will cause these tiny water crystals to make small cuts in the skin from the inside. Instead, use lukewarm water or dry heat to treat frostbite. In most instances, you will need to seek medical attention.
- Squeeze Out a Bee Sting: Unfortunately, squishing the stinger from a bee sting will not do anything to sooth the pain. In fact, it can cause more venom to get into your system. Instead, scrape the stinger off with a credit card. If the person is having difficulty breathing then they may be having an allergic reaction. Call 911 right away.
- Baking Soda for a Bee Sting: This old wive's tale is actually a valid treatment. Combine baking soda and water to form a thick paste and apply it to the sting in order to sooth the skin.
- Hot Water for Cold Hands: If you're suffering from frostbite on any extremity, avoid hot water. Your hands and feet may go numb when they are too cold, but placing them in hot water will in fact cause more pain and damage. Instead, apply lukewarm water or dry heat.
Child's Play: Common First Aid Mistakes With Children
Your children are your life–but do you really know what to do (and what not to do) if they are choking, bleeding, or sick?
- Lean Back for Nosebleeds: Children get nosebleeds for a number of different reasons. Forget what you've heard about leaning back when suffering a nosebleed. The correct first aid maneuver is to lean forward and gently punch your nose just below the nasal bone for five to 10 minutes.
- Stick a Finger Into a Choking Child's Mouth: If your child is choking, your first instinct is probably to get whatever is in his or her mouth out as quickly as possible. However, sticking your own finger in the mouth could cause vomiting or damage the child's throat. Instead, stand or kneel behind your child and give up to five sharp blows on the child's back between his or her shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. Check the mouth quickly after each blow and remove any obvious obstruction. If the obstruction is still present after this, give up to five abdominal thrusts.
- Hang a Choking Child Upside Down: This is another ineffective way to stop a child from choking. See above for the proper way to help a choking child.
- Cure Croup with Steam: Croup is a type of cough developed in infants. Giving your baby a hot steamy shower to cure croup is just a tall tale. The cure for croup? Plenty of love from Mom. If you do suspect your child has croup, take him or her to the pediatrician to verify your suspicion. A barking cough can lead to serious complications if not diagnosed correctly.
- Stop Breastfeeding if You Suspect an Infection: One of the most common complaints of all breastfeeding mothers is mastitis, an inflammation of the breast caused by a blocked milk duct. Many mothers assume they should stop breastfeeding if this happens and switch to formula to ensure the baby does not get sick. Not true–instead, continue to breastfeed. Your baby is actually the best cure for mastitis, and will unblock the duct. If you develop flu-like symptoms, though, it's time to see your doctor for a dosage of antibiotics.
- Using Water to Cure Diarrhea in Infants: When an adult or older child has diarrhea, we encourage the replenishment of fluid by offering water or juice. However, with infants, this will not help at all. Water does not contain enough minerals or sodium. Instead, offer additional breast feeds or formula feeds and, if your child is under the age of 6 months, consult a doctor.
- Sugar for Bleeding: Children fall and scrape their knees/arms/legs all the time. One of the tastiest myths around is that applying sugar will stop the bleeding. Other household remedies that should be thrown in the trash along with this include using baking soda, flour, egg lining, sage leaves, and vinegar to stop the bleeding. Save these ingredients for your cookies and instead wash the cut with mild soap and warm water.
- Honey for Infection Prevention: After a fall, skip this myth and save yourself a sticky mess. The best way to prevent infection is to apply an antibiotic ointment to help prevent skin infection, and then cover the scrape with a bandage to keep it moist.
- Egg for Diaper Rash: There is a mythical miracle cure for diaper rash from every country. Egg, fish paste, paw paw, and corn flour are among the favorites. However, none are in fact valid. Instead, to cure diaper rash, let your baby go diaper-less for a little while and apply a barrier cream. Change the diaper often, and avoid using baby wipes as they could irritate the skin even more.
Cold, Flu & Fever Myths
We all get them, but do you know how to get rid of them properly?
- Rubbing Alcohol to Reduce a Fever: This is an old wive's tale that should be banished. Regardless of what Nana says, sponging on rubbing alcohol to reduce a fever will not work. In fact, in small children this can cause more harm than good if the alcohol vapors are absorbed into their little lungs. For very high fevers, head to your doctor's or the ER. You can also try children's acetaminophen if the fever is mild.
- Starve a Fever: This is another myth regarding fevers. You may not feel like eating, but it's good to continue to eat and drink while battling a fever. Offer plenty of extra fluids to children and breastfeeds or formula to infants.
- Milk Makes a Cold Worse: Many people believe that milk causes increased nasal mucus during a cold. There are no valid studies to support this. So bring on the milk if it makes you feel better.
- Sweating Out a Cold: We all get colds once in a while, and it seems that everyone under the sun has a different remedy. Most, however, have no basis in medical fact. Sweating out a cold by steaming your face will not do anything to get rid of the toxins in your body. Drink plenty of fluids and take the day off instead.
Athletic Injury Myths Busted!
Injuries and sports go hand in hand. So what should you do to get back on the field faster? And, more importantly, what should you avoid?
- Heat on a Sprain: Sprained ankles are a common injury and many people believe that heat is the right treatment. This is actually not the case. To treat a sprained ankle, apply ice, not heat.
- Relocating a Dislocated Shoulder: If you have dislocated your shoulder or another body part, a simple snap will not automatically put the joint back in place, regardless of what TV sitcoms suggest. Instead, ice the injury and seek emergency attention.
- Peroxide for Cuts and Scrapes: Taken a tumble on the sports field? Not only is applying peroxide painful, but it can also kill the body's cells that are rushing to fend off the intruding bacteria. For scrapes and cuts, clean them with water, apply antibiotic ointment, and a band aid. If treating a little one, a kiss can also make it all better.
- Running off Shin Splints: Running away the pain of shin splints is nonsense. Shin splints, or medical tibial stress syndrome, occurs when the muscle attached to the shinbone is tearing lose. If this occurs, usually after a long-distance run or hike, then it's time to take a break. If the pain continues, see a medical professional.
- Paper Bag Breathing: Rapid breathing often occurs after you've just exercised intensely, or during a panic attack. If you are hyperventilating (breathing very rapidly), breathing into a brown paper bag will not slow down your breathing. Instead, try to calm down and breathe slowly. If the condition worsens, call 911.
- Popping a Blister: You may feel relief for a few moments after popping a blister, but this will not speed up your recovery. Popping a blister exposes the underneath skin, which can be even more painful and also lead to infection. Put a band aid over the blister instead, and refrain from popping.
- Avoid Sleep when Concussed: Been hit on the head with a baseball? Many people assume that keeping the victim awake will somehow stop the concussion from worsening. There is nothing wrong with falling asleep after a concussion. However, be sure to seek medical attention after any blow to the head, just in case.
- Put Your Head Between Your Legs if Faint: This is another misconception made common knowledge by movies and TV. Instead, lie down and raise your legs to increase the blood flow to the brain.
- A Raw Steak with a Serving of Black Eye: A raw steak will do nothing to sooth the pain and swelling of a black eye. In fact, it can cause more inflammation. Instead of wasting a perfectly good piece of meat, opt for something cold to put on your black eye, such as an ice pack.
Serious Medical Emergency Myths
The following conditions require emergency medical attention as quickly as possible. However, by being aware of these first aid medical myths, you will avoid causing more harm than good.
- Lie Down When Having a Heart Attack: Lying down will make it even harder to breathe. The best position if you suspect you or someone else is having a heart attack is a half-sitting position with knees bent and head and shoulders supported.
- CPR Saves Lives: Yes it does, but only in 3 to 5 percent of all cases. CPR is effective to maintain circulation, but it does not sustain life or restart the heart. If someone is unconscious or in need of CPR, contact emergency services first, use a defibrillator if available, and use CPR until help arrives.
- Cut a Hole in Someone's Throat to Help Them Breathe: This is a big first aid no-no, no matter what you've seen on TV. Although this procedure can be effective in certain instances, it's something only a medical professional should perform. Contact emergency help instead.
- Tourniquets for Bleeding: Tourniquets can cause permanent tissue damage to severe bleeds. Although it makes some logical sense to tie a belt or shoestring around the limb to stop the flow of blood, this is a mistake. Instead of using tourniquets for bleeding, apply steady pressure to the wound with a clean towel.
- Place a Stick in the Mouth When Having a Seizure: This is another first aid myth amplified by what we've all seen on TV. There is no medical merit to doing this. Leave the airway open and place the victim on his or her side in the recovery position.
- Hold a Victim Tightly When Having a Seizure: Again, not true. Let the victim lie in an open space and roll him/her onto his/her side. It is okay to let the victim seize as long as there are no dangers in the area. Do not try to control the seizing by holding onto the person.
- A Seizing Victim May Swallow His Tongue: This is another myth about seizures that needs to be debunked. Even when seizing, people can control their own airway. There is no risk of swallowing the tongue.
- Cold Water as Shock Therapy: If a victim is going into shock after a severe injury then it might make sense to “wake them up” by splashing cold water on their face. After all, this works in the movies, right? Wrong. If a victim is going into shock, you will need to keep them warm. Wrap them in a blanket and call for help.
- Removing an Impaled Object: Someone has a nail sticking out of their foot–should you remove the object? If you do, you could cause even more damage, especially if the object has hit an artery. Steve Irwin's removal of a sting ray from his torso ended up costing him his life. Don't make the same mistake. Do not remove the object; seek emergency help instead.
- Assuming 911 is the Only Number you Need to Know: This is perhaps the most dangerous first aid mistake we can make. There are a number of contact numbers you need to be familiar with, including poison control and your child's doctor's number. It is also a good idea to obtain First Aid Certification, especially if you have small children. Separating the first aid fact from fiction is one way to prepare yourself, but you should really brush up on the basics with a First Aid Training Course, as well. When it comes to handling medical emergencies, you can never be too careful or too prepared.