Why First Aid Myths Are Dangerous
First aid myths persist because they are passed down through generations and often sound intuitively correct. But in emergency medicine, intuition can be deadly. As a flight nurse, I have seen well-meaning bystanders make injuries worse by following advice they learned from movies, social media, or well-intentioned relatives.
Here are eight of the most common — and most dangerous — first aid myths, along with what you should actually do.
Myth 1: Put Butter or Toothpaste on a Burn
Why people believe it: Butter feels cool and soothing on hot skin.
The truth: Butter, toothpaste, and other home remedies trap heat in the skin, making the burn deeper and more severe. They also introduce bacteria into the wound, increasing infection risk.
What to do instead: Run cool (not cold) water over the burn for 10-20 minutes. This is the single most effective first aid treatment for burns, supported by extensive research. Cover with a clean, non-stick dressing. Do not pop blisters — they are your body's natural bandage.
When to seek medical care: Burns larger than the person's palm, burns on the face/hands/feet/genitals, burns that go all the way around a limb, or any burn that appears white or charred.
Myth 2: Tilt Your Head Back for a Nosebleed
Why people believe it: It seems logical to prevent blood from dripping out.
The truth: Tilting your head back causes blood to flow down your throat, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, aspiration (inhaling blood into the lungs).
What to do instead: Lean slightly forward and pinch the soft part of your nose (just below the bony bridge) firmly for 10-15 minutes without releasing. Breathe through your mouth. Most nosebleeds will stop within 15 minutes with consistent pressure.
When to seek medical care: Nosebleeds lasting more than 20 minutes, nosebleeds after a head injury, or recurrent nosebleeds.
Myth 3: You Should Suck Venom Out of a Snake Bite
Why people believe it: Every Western movie ever made.
The truth: Suction devices and mouth suction do not remove a clinically significant amount of venom. Cutting the wound to "drain" venom introduces infection risk and causes additional tissue damage. The venom enters the lymphatic system within seconds — you cannot suck it out.
What to do instead: Keep the person calm and still (movement accelerates venom spread). Remove jewelry and tight clothing near the bite. Keep the bitten limb at or below heart level. Get to a hospital as quickly as possible. Try to remember the snake's appearance for identification, but do not attempt to catch it.
What NOT to do: Do not apply a tourniquet, do not apply ice, do not cut the wound, do not attempt to suck out venom.
Myth 4: You Should Put Something in a Seizing Person's Mouth
Why people believe it: The fear that they will "swallow their tongue."
The truth: It is physically impossible to swallow your own tongue. Putting objects in a seizing person's mouth can break their teeth, cause jaw injuries, or create a choking hazard. It can also result in serious bite injuries to the rescuer.
What to do instead: Clear the area of hard or sharp objects. Place something soft under their head. Turn them on their side (recovery position) if possible. Time the seizure. Do not restrain them.
When to call 911: Seizures lasting more than 5 minutes, the person does not regain consciousness, it is their first seizure, or they are injured during the seizure.
Myth 5: You Must Remove an Impaled Object
Why people believe it: It seems like the object is causing harm by being there.
The truth: Impaled objects often act as a plug, preventing severe bleeding. Removing them can cause catastrophic hemorrhage that is difficult to control outside a hospital.
What to do instead: Stabilize the object in place using bulky dressings or rolled towels on either side. Do not push it in further or attempt to remove it. Cut clothing around the object if needed. Transport the person to the hospital with the object in place.
Exception: Objects impaled in the cheek can be removed if they are causing airway obstruction.
Myth 6: Rubbing Alcohol Cools a Fever
Why people believe it: Alcohol evaporates quickly and feels cold on the skin.
The truth: Rubbing alcohol can be absorbed through the skin, especially in children, causing alcohol poisoning. It can also cause dangerous drops in body temperature and skin irritation.
What to do instead: Use age-appropriate doses of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin). Dress in light clothing. Use lukewarm (not cold) compresses. Stay hydrated.
When to seek medical care: Fevers above 104°F (40°C) in adults, any fever in infants under 3 months, fevers lasting more than 3 days, or fevers accompanied by stiff neck, severe headache, or rash.
Myth 7: Hydrogen Peroxide Is the Best Wound Cleaner
Why people believe it: The bubbling action looks like it is "killing germs."
The truth: Hydrogen peroxide damages healthy tissue cells (fibroblasts) that are essential for wound healing. Studies have shown that wounds cleaned with hydrogen peroxide actually heal more slowly than those cleaned with plain water or saline.
What to do instead: Clean wounds with clean running water for 5-10 minutes. If available, use sterile saline or a mild soap around (not in) the wound. Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment and cover with a clean bandage.
Myth 8: CPR Always Involves Mouth-to-Mouth
Why people believe it: Traditional CPR training emphasized rescue breaths.
The truth: For adult cardiac arrest witnessed by a bystander, compression-only CPR (hands-only CPR) is just as effective as traditional CPR with rescue breaths, according to the American Heart Association. Many bystanders hesitate to perform CPR because they are uncomfortable with mouth-to-mouth contact — and that hesitation costs lives.
What to do instead: Call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. Do not stop until EMS arrives or an AED is available. For children and infants, rescue breaths are still recommended if you are trained.
Knowledge Saves Lives
Every one of these myths has the potential to turn a manageable emergency into a dangerous one. Share this article with your family, friends, and coworkers. Print it out and keep it with your emergency kit.
The best first aid is informed first aid. And now you are informed.