12 common mistakes infirst aidthat anyone might make
First aid involves actions taken to help in emergency situations or.. by people who are not necessarily experts but have basic training. However, it’s not always straightforward, and sometimes, as you will read in this health section of SelMagz, mistakes can be dangerous and lead to harm.SelMagzand it can be performed incorrectly and dangerously.
Common first aid mistakes that can be dangerous
When an accident happens to us, we might unknowingly do things that can cause serious harm.
Bending the head back during a nosebleed:
Never do this. This mistake can cause blood to flow down the back of your throat. This old method not onlynosebleedsdoes not stop the bleeding, but can also cause vomiting.
Instead, bend forward and press the tip of the nose with your fingers. Most common nosebleeds, often caused by allergies or dry air, typically stop within about ten minutes. If it persists longer, use a tampon to block the bleeding and go to the emergency room.
First aid mistake of putting butter or ice on a burn:
This old idea is very simple and wrong. Toothpaste and buttercocoaare other suggestions that are also not acceptable. Sometimes applying these methods immediately after a burn can trap heat in the tissue and make the injury worse. Cooling the burnt tissue with ice does not help either. The goal is to return the skin to normal temperature; ice can make the skin extremely cold.
Instead, let cool, not very cold, water flow over the burn for a few minutes. Finally, cover it with a clean, dry cloth like sterile gauze and seek medical care from a doctor.
Moving a severely injured person:
If you are the first on the scene of a car accident or sports injury, you might be tempted to shake the person to check their condition.
Do not do this. It could seriously damage their spine, and any movement might cause nerve damage or permanent paralysis. Only move them if there is danger such as fire, explosion, or building collapse.
Instead, call emergency services. If spinal injury is suspected, the best action is to contact emergency services for safe transportation to a medical center.
Rubbing saliva on a cut to clean it:
Although you might have heard that saliva can eliminate germs, the truth is quite the opposite. The mouth is full of harmful bacteria that can cause infections. Also, do not wash the wound with river or gutter water, as it may contain microbes or parasites.
Instead, rinse the wound with tap water or saline solution. It is best to keep a saline solution in your first aid kit for accidental injuries.
Using Benadryl (a type of antihistamine) for severe allergic reactions:
This mistake can be life-threatening. It takes 30 to 60 minutes for Benadryl to work, which is too long for someone experiencing anaphylactic shock.
Anaphylactic shock is a medical emergency, and treatment with adrenaline should be administered immediately. Recent research shows many nurses do not use adrenaline properly, and delays or failure to use it can be fatal.
Instead, do not hesitate to use adrenaline. If you see signs like difficulty breathing, swelling around the lips and eyes, or hives spreading quickly, do not waste time; give adrenaline immediately and call emergency services.
If you have food, toxin, or any other severe allergy, you should always carry adrenaline. Know your reaction pattern, as it may not be the same for everyone. Some doctors recommend that patients use adrenaline at first signs of allergy or upon contact with allergens.
Cleaning a broken tooth:
Many people do not know what to do when their tooth breaks. While it seems like a good idea to clean it, doing so can actually damage the tooth further.
Instead, place the tooth in a cup of milk and see a dentist as soon as possible.
Keeping a tick to show a doctor:
Contrary to popular belief, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) do not recommend keeping or testing ticks. This is a common misconception that doctors often encounter. Many people believe ticks can transmit Lyme disease, and a bite needs antibiotics, butonly if it’s a deer tick and has been attached for more than 24 hours.Instead, remove the tick with tweezers by pulling it outward. Never use matches or petroleum products to remove it. Visit a doctor to determine if antibiotics are needed and whether you have Lyme disease, which may not cause a red rash.
You may get the disease or not, and some people develop small bumps that grow over time, while others do not get any rash. The good news is that those treated quickly recover completely.
Wrong first aid for warming a fracture or sprain:
This action can worsen inflammation. Heat increases blood flow, which can make swelling worse. Use heat only for conditions like muscle cramps.
Instead, always start with cold first.
Trying to remove particles from a damaged eye:
Removing irritants can worsen the injury and cause permanent damage. The only exception is if chemicals are spilled in the eye. In this case, rinse the eye with water for 15 minutes. Protect the eye with a paper cup to prevent debris from entering, and seek medical help.
Removing sterile gauze from a bleeding wound:
If the gauze is soaked with blood, do not remove it. Clotting factors are on the surface to stop bleeding. Removing the gauze can undo these factors and start bleeding again.
Instead, place a new sterile gauze on top. If bleeding continues, press on the wound to stop bleeding, then clean the wound to prevent infection. If
If you are allergic, do not apply antibiotic ointment, and re-bandage the wound.Not seeking help after an accident:Adrenaline in your blood initially hides the pain. It might take 10 minutes to 2 hours before you realize what has happened. The person at the scene cannot diagnose internal bleeding or fractured bones.
Instead, even if you feel fine after a severe accident, go to the hospital for necessary tests.
Making emergency services’ job harder to find you:
For example, if you are bitten by a bee in the backyard and have severe allergic reactions, do not lie down and wait for help. If food gets stuck in your throat in a restaurant, do not go to the bathroom.
The crowd inside the bathroom in a restaurant may die because they don’t want to disturb others’ eating. Instead, if you have allergic reactions or serious injuries, ask someone to call emergency services. Then move to the entrance and wait for help. Make sure you are visible to others.
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