First-Aid Standbys, What Not to Do

Numerous momma-dos exist in the medical world, home remedies perse for specific injuries and such. However, many if not most of these methods are actually more dangerous than you would initially think. Everything from placing butter or shaving cream on burns to soaking in vinegar after a sun-burn. The methods are ludicrous, yet almost everyone can admit they have attempted to remedy an injury using one of the crazy first-aid standbys. After reading this article over at Reader’s Digest, you may not be saving lives, however, you will undoubtedly be improving the heal time for your next minor injury.

When the skin isn’t broken, it’s hard to beat iodine for killing bacteria. That’s why doctors use it to clean an area before surgery. But when there’s a cut, says dermatologist Robert Kirsner, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology, full-strength iodine, hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol can be toxic to skin cells, impeding healing. The chemical reaction (and bubbling) that occurs when hydrogen peroxide hits the skin isn’t only cleaning the wound — it’s killing healthy cells. And that stinging from the rubbing alcohol? This stuff hurts because it’s wiping out healthy tissue.

Putting iodine on cuts and wounds kills bacteria, says VanRooyen, but it won’t clean the wound. “You want to protect the good tissue, and iodine doesn’t do that.” Mercurochrome also kills bacteria, but as the name suggests, it contains mercury, which is toxic, and not generally recognized as safe, says the FDA. Today, doctors don’t use Mercurochrome.

Better Bet
Remarkably, cleansing a wound has become much simpler: “The most effective way to get rid of debris and bacteria without damaging healthy tissue is flushing the wound out with water,” says VanRooyen. Put the wound under a faucet, or spray it with the nozzle on the kitchen sink. Flush it with water to clear it of all debris. If you are worried about the bandage sticking to the wound, consider using an antibacterial ointment that contains bacitracin or neomycin to keep the area lubricated.

[ed. note - looks like we got an article that looks very similar to one written inReader's Digest a few years ago. My appologies. Please check out their article for all the details.]