First Aid Mistakes

Experts Dr. Tom Scaletta and Denise King shared the 10 most common first aid mistakes.

1. Cut Finger - Do not place the wound directly on ice. Wrap the wounded part in a damp cloth. If the patient is going to have a surgery, he's best off with an empty stomach.

2. Knocked out tooth - Don't scrub the tooth hard even if it's dirty (a gentle rinse is OK. Do put the tooth in milk and go straight to the ER; there's a chance the tooth could be reimplanted.

3. Burns - Don't apply ice or butter or any other type of grease to burns. Also, don't cover a burn with a towel or blanket, because loose fibers might stick to the skin. When dealing with a serious burn, be careful not to break any blisters or pull off clothing stuck to the skin.

Do wash and apply antibiotic ointment to mild burns. Head to the hospital for any burns to the eyes, mouth, or genital areas, even if mild; any burn that covers an area larger than your hand; and any burn that causes blisters or is followed by a fever.

4. Electrical Burns - Don't fail to get medical attention for a jolt of electricity (for instance, from lightning, a power line, or home electrical cords), even if no damage is evident. An electrical burn can cause invisible (and serious) injury deeper inside the body. More than 500 Americans die every year from electrical burns.
Do go to the ER immediately.

5. Sprained ankle - Don't use a heating pad.
Do treat a sprain with ice. Go to the ER if it is very painful to bear weight. You might have a fracture.

Click here to read the article