8 First Aid Emergencies and the Myths That Make Them Worse

Health Watch Center via DivineCaroline

Emergencies don’t come with warning bells. They strike at unexpected moments and your response, or lack thereof, could determine how things come out in the end. How much do you think you know about first aid and proper emergency response? Most people think they know quite a lot, but most of what they have learned consists of myths that could actually do more harm than good. Put yourself to the test and seriously ask yourself: what would I do in these situations?

1. A child pulls a pot of boiling water off the stove or sticks their hand on a hot burner.
Do you put butter or mayonnaise on the burn? Hurriedly remove the child’s clothing because it is stuck to the burn? Do you get out the ice? Those are the common reactions in the case of a burn, but all of them are myths. Butter, mayo, or other types of grease may cause even more damage to tender skin. Pulling clothing or other materials stuck to the burn could damage the tissue or pull the skin off completely.

The correct action is to rinse gently with cool water and coat the burn with antibiotic ointment. If the burn is on a sensitive area of the body such as the face or if there are a lot of blisters, then go to the ER and do not pop the blisters. You also want to seek medical assistance if a burn completely circles a limb or is larger than your hand.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Gordana R.

1:24AM PDT on Jun 13, 2011

great useful tips

send a green star

Eternal G.

6:51PM PST on Jan 26, 2011

Important info, thanks!

Renata K.

12:11PM PST on Jan 25, 2011

good info thanks

dve d.

12:32AM PST on Jan 13, 2011

good ideas

RebeccaAWAY S.

2:28PM PST on Jan 11, 2011

As am EMT I think everyone should know first aid.

Margaret F.

9:21PM PST on Jan 10, 2011

Thank-you for the informative article, it was a good review. Another thing to do with a sprained ankle is to elevate the foot. Elevating the injured foot along with using an ice pack will help decrease the extent of swelling. Another point to be aware of with burns, do not apply ice directly to the burned area as that could do more damage. Instead, put some water in a basin, add ice to the water & then place the burned area in the basin. Remove the burned area from the basin when needed for a few minutes if the area gets too cold causing increased pain.

Alison N.

1:11PM PST on Jan 8, 2011

Great info, thanks for posting.

Nick M.

10:03AM PST on Jan 8, 2011

Thanks for the info, this is really helpful!

Carole K.

9:57AM PST on Jan 5, 2011

First Aid is an important area of knowledge and may save someone's life. Some of this information has been updated and changed from the recommendations I was taught in Red Cross Basic First Aid courses I have taken in the past. Medical treatments is an evolving science; and one needs to keep relearning to keep abreast. Thank you for providing this article which assists in this process toward improved methods.

Win S.

11:43AM PST on Jan 4, 2011

Good article, Good information. Thanks