7 Common First-Aid Myths About Burns, Sprains, Cuts and More
Learn what works and what doesn't in first aid
Learn what works and what doesn't in first aid
Key Takeaways:
- Skip home remedies that can worsen injuries.
- Use proven first-aid methods for burns, cuts and sprains.
- Lean forward for nosebleeds and apply pressure.
- Seek emergency care for severe injuries and snake bites.
Minor injuries and illnesses often happen at home. Knowing basic first aid helps you respond quickly and safely. But not all first-aid advice is accurate.
Some home remedies passed down through generations can actually delay healing or make an injury worse.
“Some of the most common first-aid myths involve treating burns, cuts and other everyday injuries,” says Natalie Ferraiolo, MD, a family medicine physician at Scripps Coastal Medical Center Vista. “When an injury happens, evidence-based first aid is often simpler and more effective than many traditional home remedies.”
Whether you’re treating a burn, stopping a nosebleed or cleaning a scrape, knowing what works — and what doesn’t — can help you avoid common mistakes. In fact, you may benefit by taking a first-aid course and learning the science behind the training.
Here are seven first-aid myths and what experts recommend instead:
Myth 1. Put butter on a burn
If you have a minor burn, skip the butter. Butter and other household remedies do not help burns heal and may increase the risk of irritation or infection.
Instead, cool the burn under cool running water for about 20 minutes. “Running water over the burned area can help stop the burning process, reduce pain and limit damage to the skin,” Dr. Ferraiolo says.
Remove jewelry or tight clothing near the burn if possible. Once the area is cooled, cover it with a clean, nonstick bandage or dressing.
Seek medical care for burns that are large, deep, involve the face, hands, feet or genitals or develop signs of infection.
Do this instead:
- Cool the burn with running water for 20 minutes
- Cover with a clean, nonstick dressing
- Seek medical care for severe burns
Myth 2. Tip your head back for a nosebleed
Tilting your head back may cause blood to run down your throat, which can lead to coughing, choking, nausea and vomiting.
Instead, sit upright and lean slightly forward. Pinch the soft part of your nose, just below the bridge, using your thumb and index finger. Hold steady pressure for 10 to 15 minutes without checking to see if the bleeding has stopped.
Contact your doctor if nosebleeds occur frequently, are difficult to stop or follow a head injury.
Do this instead:
- Lean forward slightly
- Pinch the soft part of the nose
- Hold pressure for 10 to 15 minutes
Myth 3. Ice is the only treatment for a sprain
Ice can help reduce pain and swelling after a sprain but it is only one part of recovery. A sprain occurs when ligaments, the tissues that connect bones, are stretched or torn. A strain is different and involves a muscle or tendon.
For the first day or two, rest, ice, compression and elevation, also known as the RICE approach, can help reduce pain and swelling, especially for an ankle sprain or other mild soft-tissue injury.
As symptoms improve, gentle movement can help restore flexibility and function. Wrap ice in a thin towel and apply it for up to 20 minutes at a time. Avoid placing ice directly on the skin.
If pain, swelling or difficulty bearing weight persists, your doctor may recommend additional treatment, including physical therapy.
Do this instead:
- Rest the injury initially
- Use ice, compression and elevation
- Begin gentle movement as symptoms improve
Myth 4. Put a frozen steak on a black eye
Using a frozen steak on a black eye is a long-standing myth. Raw meat can contain bacteria and should not be placed on an injured area.
Instead, apply a cold pack, wrapped ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables for 10 to 20 minutes at a time during the first 24 to 48 hours to help reduce swelling.
Seek medical attention if you experience vision changes, severe pain or signs of injury to the eye.
Do this instead:
- Use a cold pack or wrapped ice
- Apply for 10 to 20 minutes at a time
- Seek care if vision is affected
Myth 5. Clean cuts and scrapes with hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide may kill bacteria, but it can also damage healthy tissue and slow healing.
“For most minor cuts and scrapes, gently washing the wound with soap and water is the safest and most effective way to clean it,” Dr. Ferraiolo says.
Cover the wound with a clean bandage after cleaning it and removing any remaining debris.
Seek medical care for wounds that are deep, contain dirt or debris that cannot be removed, continue to bleed or may require stitches.
Do this instead:
- Wash with soap and water
- Remove dirt and debris
- Cover with a clean bandage
Myth 6. Suck out venom from a snake bite
Attempting to suck out venom does not help and may increase the risk of infection or further injury.
If you are bitten by a snake, move away from the animal and seek emergency medical care immediately. Symptoms of a venomous snake may include severe pain, swelling, discoloration at the bite site and lightheadedness.
Keep the affected limb as still as possible and remove rings, watches or tight clothing before swelling begins.
Do not cut the wound, apply ice, use a tourniquet or attempt to remove the venom yourself.
Do this instead:
- Seek emergency care immediately
- Keep the affected limb still
- Remove jewelry before swelling occurs
Myth 7. Squeeze a stinger out after an insect sting
When a bee leaves a stinger behind, the most important thing is to remove it quickly. Avoid squeezing the stinger, which may release more venom into the skin. Instead, use a fingernail, tweezers or another available object to remove it as soon as possible. Then, wash the area with soap and water and apply a cold pack to help reduce pain and swelling.
Seek immediate medical care if you have breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling, dizziness, or other severe allergic reaction signs.
Do this instead:
- Remove the stinger promptly
- Wash with soap and water
- Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling
When to seek emergency care
Many minor injuries can be treated at home, but some situations require immediate medical attention. Seek emergency care for:
- Severe burns
- Heavy or uncontrolled bleeding
- Suspected broken bones
- Serious head injuries
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe allergic reactions
- Venomous snake bites
For injuries that are not emergencies but still require prompt evaluation, such as a minor burn, mild wound or other minor injury, consider contacting your doctor or visiting a walk-in clinic, such as Scripps HealthExpress.
More significant injuries, including possible fractures, severe sprains and cuts that may require stitches, may be better evaluated at an urgent care center. Always go to the emergency room for a life- or limb-threatening condition.