3 Common First Aid Mistakes to Avoid

As mamas, we generally don’t make time in our busy schedules to deal with a quick bump or unexpected fever — so when those things do crop up, we occasionally may find ourselves treating these things at home. And while that is often perfectly fine, how do you know if you’re in over your head with a sickness or injury? And when does it warrant a trip to the doctor or Emergency Room?

Luckily, the Baptist HealthPlace On Demand app is on hand and is a super-easy way to speak with trusted local emergency and family physicians 24/7 without ever leaving your home. Matthew Thompson, MD, an emergency medicine physician with Emergency Resources Group who practices at Baptist Health and is the co-founder of Telescope Health (which powers the app) has outlined a few first-aid mistakes folks make.

First aid mistakes (and what to do instead)

These are some of the three most common minor first aid mistakes that Dr. Thompson has noticed over the years and offers some insight on how to fix them — and when you should see the professionals.

Mistake #1: Trusting “Dr. Google”

The internet (a.k.a. “Dr. Google”) can seem endless when it comes to health concerns and advice, but how do you know which sources to trust — and what you should do with all of that overwhelming information?

Dr. Thompson said that although most people tend to seek out reputable healthcare organizations when looking for advice, self-diagnosis and doing research without guidance from experienced physicians often leaves people with more questions than answers. This approach can result in unnecessary fear and anxiety — leading folks to costly emergency or urgent care rather than consulting with their primary care team.

What to do instead: If you are unsure about something or have questions or concerns, contact your primary care office and speak with a trusted provider. We know that your doctor may not always be readily available, so if you need immediate access to a physician, a telehealth service is an excellent option. Telescope Health ensures that all Baptist HealthPlace patients have quick access to a care navigator, and they send a care summary to their primary care physician. They can also help you find a primary care doctor if you don’t have one.

Mistake 2: Waiting too long

One of the biggest aspects of treating an injury or illness at home is known when it’s too much for you to handle alone. Dr. Thompson warns that waiting it out can lead to even more issues.

“Often, I’ll see people come into the Emergency Department for a cut or wound too late,” he says. “Some wait until the next day, and at that point, they’re frustrated because I can’t suture the wound. This often means the scar formation is going to be worse, it’s going to take longer to heal, and there’s an increased risk for infection.”

What to do instead: “Trust your gut. If you have a deep cut and you think it needs to be looked at, always get it evaluated as quickly as possible,” says Dr. Thompson. “The chance of us being able to repair it with a good cosmetic and functional outcome is much better the sooner we can see it.”

Mistake 3: Applying heat first instead of cold

When should you apply heat to an injured area vs. cooling it down? Dr. Thompson says one mistake folks often make when tending to a sprained ankle or wrist is immediately applying heat to the injury, which will actually worsen the inflammation rather than make it better. Note that alternating ice and heat for increased comfort is completely acceptable after the first 24 hours have passed.

What to do instead: “We recommend something called R.I.C.E. therapy: rest, ice, compression, and elevation,” says Dr. Thompson.

• Rest is a must. You’ll want to give the sprain time to heal and minimize the injury as much as possible.
• Ice is a natural anti-inflammatory that can help decrease swelling. Wrap some ice or a cold pack in a thin towel and immediately apply it to the injured area.
• Compression as a result of wrapping the injury can also help prevent swelling by keeping fluid from accumulating.
• Elevation of the sprain also keeps fluids from pooling and can further minimize swelling.

Telehealth services at home

If you don’t know how to address an injury or condition or simply have questions for a professional, Dr. Thompson suggests scheduling a visit with Baptist HealthPlace On Demand.

“This service is really putting an emergency physician at your fingertip. We have people who call in all the time for anything from prescription refills and questions about minor injuries to those experiencing serious symptoms and looking for advice on what they should do next,” said Dr. Thompson. “We can help answer any of those questions and if you do need a greater level of care, we can help arrange that and will be there for you throughout that whole process.”