Don’t Be Fooled By These 3 Common First Aid Myths

First aid emergencies can strike at any time, and if they do, it’s important that you’re able to respond quickly and effectively. Whether you’re treating yourself, your child, another family member or anyone else, fast action is a must.

To help ensure you’re able to help, you’ll need suitable first aid equipment. As it states on the website of medical supplier www.steroplast.co.uk, having a fully-stocked home first aid kit can help you to respond if an emergency unfolds. Of course, it’s important that you know how to use this gear too, and you should make sure that you rely on accurate guidance rather than hearsay and guesswork. Here are three common first aid myths that you’d do well to avoid.

1) Sucking out a bee sting speeds recovery

You might have heard people say that sucking out a bee sting can help to reduce people’s pain and speed up their recovery. However, there’s no truth to this. In fact, this is ineffective and unhygienic. Instead, if the sting is visible on the skin, use something rigid like a credit card to scrape it away. The skin reaction should then start to subside.

Bear in mind though, some people suffer a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock if they are stung and this can be fatal. Symptoms of this extreme response include breathing difficulties, blotchy, red skin or an itchy rash, swelling of the tongue and throat, a fast pulse and abdominal pain. If you see any of these signs, call an ambulance immediately.

2) Applying butter to burns soothes the pain

It’s sometimes said that the best way to soothe a burn is to apply butter. In reality, putting butter or other oily substances onto serious burns can make it harder for doctors to provide treatment later and it can increase the risk of infection. The most effective treatment for these injuries is cold water.

Meanwhile, if the burn is severe and the skin starts to blister, make sure you see a doctor. You should also ensure that the affected area stays clean and you can cover it loosely with a dry, sterile dressing.

3) If a child swallows a poisonous substance, induce vomiting

Another common myth is that the way to react when a child swallows a poisonous substance is to induce vomiting using salt and water or other methods. However, if you take this approach, you could be putting the child at further risk. Inducing vomiting is not recommended for certain poisonous substances and it can lead to further harm.

Instead, take the child to hospital straight away and keep a close watch on them in case you have to perform resuscitation. If the youngster has swallowed pills or medicines, take the remaining drugs with you to the hospital so that the doctor can check the labeling.

As long as you stick to the facts when you’re dealing with medical emergencies, rather than relying on urban myths, you should be able to provide effective treatment.