Health Tip: Five Common First-Aid Myths

(HealthDay News) — First-aid myths may do more harm than good, says the University of Rochester Medical Center.

The school mentions these examples of first-aid folklore, and what to do instead:

Putting hot water on frozen skin can cause serious damage. Slowly thaw skin with warm water instead.
Rubbing alcohol does not bring down a fever. Use ibuprofen or acetaminophen instead.
Putting coffee grounds on a cut to stop bleeding can cause infection. Apply pressure with sterile gauze instead.
Rubbing butter on a burn can actually keep the heat in. Run cool water over the area to ease pain instead.
Using ipecac syrup to induce vomiting can be dangerous. Call poison control immediately instead.