Common first-aid myths

Myth #1. It is a common belief that a wound needs fresh air to heal. Research has shown that a covered wound will have less scarring and will heal faster.

There are many advantages to using a bandage to cover cuts and scrapes. Bandages help to seal in moisture that prevents the injury from drying out and creating a scab. The cells can then work on creating new tissue rather than a scab. Scabs slow down the healing process because it forms a barrier between the healthy cells and the damaged cells that need repair. Also, by covering up a wound you can help avoid infection by protecting the cut from dirt, water, and germs in addition to in protecting it from re-injury.

Myth #2. Now to burns. Contrary to popular belief, burns should not be treated with butter, ice, or ice water. Ice is precisely the wrong thing to put on burns because ice "freezes" the ability for the cells to regenerate. The proper way to treat a burn is to soak it in lukewarm or cool water. Then, apply a skin care product such as aloe or an antibiotic ointment and cover the affected area with gauze. To help with the pain, acetaminophen is the best bet.

Resources

The American Academy of Family Physicians has a good factsheet for treating minor burns.

Quick advice for treating small cuts from an Australian pharmacy.