Hyperventilating? Turns out the brown bag is the worst solution.
When I was kid and I burned my fingers on the stove, my mom slathered butter on the wound. This is just one of many household myths about first aid that can actually make things worse.
Learn to be wary of any first aid advice that you can’t reason out or reminds you of something the witch from Hansel and Gretel might do. We decided to do some research and compile our favorite well-intentioned but ultimately hurtful health tips.
1. Putting butter on a burn
Giving a whole new meaning to butter fingers, in reality the oils from butter hold in heat, which is probably not what you’re going for. Instead, use cold water, which makes more sense and has fewer calories.
2. Sucking the venom out of a snakebite
Obviously not helpful, despite its appeal to overzealous Twilight fans?
3. Peeing on a jellyfish sting
Vinegar is a better treatment, doesn’t require you to drop your pants in the middle of the beach, and is much less gross.
4. Keeping people with head injuries awake
This doesn’t do any good, unless you want the person to be fully conscious of their pain rather than sleeping it off. Not a terrible idea if you like being a bad friend.
5. Applying antiseptic to cuts and scrapes
Hydrogen peroxide will actually kill immune cells and will postpone healing. Most injuries can be treated by washing them with soap and water. Then cover the sucker with a Hello Kitty Band-Aid.
6. Breathing into a bag to prevent hyperventilation
Not helpful, and actually quite dangerous. Where did you even find a brown paper bag? Did you steal Charlie Brown’s lunch?
7. Putting raw steak on a black eye
I’ve always thought this was a waste of perfectly good meat. But when you get E coli from exposure to uncooked meat, it might take your mind off a swollen eye.
8. Giving alcohol to warm up a cold victim
I’ve heard worse excuses to get drunk. Instead, give them something more helpful. Like a blanket.
Sources
About.com, Health Watch Center, Ririan Project, and TIME
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Another good myth: tilting your head back when you have a nose bleed. Sends blood rushing straight to your brain! It’s just easier to pinch and lean forward.