World First Aid Day: Hyderabad doctors debunk myths on snakebites, choking

Hyderabad: Every year, World First Aid Day highlights the importance of knowing what to do in those first crucial minutes after an injury or sudden illness. But what’s often overlooked is how much misinformation shapes our instinctive response.

A surprising number of ‘common-sense’ remedies, from smearing toothpaste on burns to tilting the head back for a nosebleed, can actually do more harm than good.

Below, we unpack some of the most widespread myths, why they are risky and what trained responders recommend instead.

Myth 1: Covering a burn with toothpaste, butter or egg whites will soothe burns and aid speedy recovery

Why it’s wrong: Household items, substances like toothpaste or butter, trap heat, are not sterile, and increase infection risk.

Expert view: Dr Raj Kiran, an emergency physician, explained to NewsMeter: “The first goal with a burn is to stop the burning process; anything that holds heat in the skin delays healing.”

What to do instead: Place the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes. Cover loosely with a clean, non-stick dressing. Seek medical attention if the burn is large, deep or in a sensitive area.

Myth 2: Ice should be applied directly to burns and it will numb the pain and prevent damage

Why it’s wrong: Direct ice can damage tissue and worsen the injury.

What to do instead: Use cool water or a clean, cool compress. Never apply ice straight onto a burn.

Myth 3: Tilt your head back during a nosebleed, as leaning back stops blood from coming out.

Why it’s wrong: Blood then flows into the throat, which can cause choking or vomiting, and it doesn’t stop the bleeding.

Expert view: “If the blood is going down your throat, it isn’t stopping, it’s just going the wrong way,” said Dr Raj Kiran.

What to do instead: Sit upright, lean forward slightly, and pinch the soft part of the nose firmly for 10–15 minutes without checking too soon.

Myth 4: Sucking out snake venom from the bite or tying a tourniquet will stop the venom from spreading

Why it’s wrong: These methods don’t remove venom and instead cause infection, tissue death, or even loss of a limb.

What to do instead: Keep the person calm and still, immobilise the bitten limb at the heart level, and get them to a hospital quickly. Do not cut, suck or use ice. Remove any tight jewellery or clothing near the bite.

Myth 5: The Heimlich manoeuvre is always the first step for choking.

Why it’s wrong: While effective, abdominal thrusts can injure if used improperly. Current training often recommends back blows first.

What to do instead: For an adult or child over one who is choking and silent, give up to five firm back blows. If this fails, perform abdominal thrusts. Alternate until the blockage clears or the person becomes unresponsive.

Myth 6: Tourniquets should be used for any bleeding to stop loss

Why it’s wrong: An improvised or unnecessary tourniquet can cut off circulation and cause permanent damage.

Expert view: Dr Anisha Thomas, a general physician, explained, “Tourniquets save lives in the right hands, but in the wrong situation they can take limbs.”

What to do instead: Apply direct, steady pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. Elevate the limb if possible. Only use a commercial tourniquet when bleeding is severe, life-threatening, and not controlled by pressure.

Myth 7: Strong antiseptics such as hydrogen peroxide or alcohol clean wounds best

Why it’s wrong: Harsh chemicals damage healthy tissue and can slow healing if used repeatedly.

What to do instead: Rinse the wound gently with clean running water and mild soap. Apply a sterile dressing. Seek medical review if the wound is deep, contaminated, or shows signs of infection.

Myth 8:Induce vomiting to remove poison wrongly consumed

Why it’s wrong: Vomiting can re-burn the oesophagus or cause aspiration into the lungs.

What to do instead: Call emergency services or a poison control centre immediately. Provide details of the substance. Do not induce vomiting unless told to by a medical professional.

Learning to unlearn

Many of these myths persist because they sound logical or because we’ve seen them in films and family practices. But first aid is a science, and techniques change as medical evidence evolves.

On World First Aid Day, the most important lesson is this: correct action saves lives, but incorrect action can make a bad situation worse. Even basic knowledge, cooling burns properly, pinching a nosebleed the right way, or starting chest compressions during cardiac arrest, can be life-saving when done correctly.