Doctor Says Using Toothpaste On Burns Is The Worst Idea You Can Think Of

Last Updated on 2021-10-27 , 1:46 pm

Having grown up in a land filled with housewives, I’ve heard my fair share of old wives’ tales.

Toothpaste for burns? Check.

Carrots for eyesight? Check.

Apples to keep that hot doctor away? Check.

Because I was young, I was inclined to believe in them. Old wives’ tales, I reasoned, must surely be true because they’re from old wives. And everyone knows that old wives are so sour and bitter that they become Wise Old Men in the process.

But now that I’m all grown up, I’ve realised the truth. While some tales definitely have a grain of truth in them, like how hot doctors fear apples, others aren’t quite as forthcoming as they seem to be. And a prime example? The following headline:

Doctor Says Using Toothpaste On Burns Is The Worst Idea You Can Think Of

The stuff of nightmares

You might’ve heard your mother or some ‘well-meaning’ relatives preach this before:

“Kena burnt? Use toothpaste, egg, soya sauce, flour, gamat oil, or even better everything! It will help!”

But while some of us might’ve innocently believed such old wives’ tales, a medical doctor in Malaysia has stepped out to state that the truth’s quite the contrary. Dr Kamarul Ariffin, as the doctor in question’s called, recently posted a thread on Twitter, advising others on what they should do if they have the misfortune of experiencing burns at home. And lest you’re unaware, toothpaste’s definitely not in the equation.

Sharing a photo of someone who had recently been scalded by hot oil on their hand, he stated that the person had opted to apply toothpaste on the injured part.

But this, as he explains, was the wrong thing to do.

Please… please stay away from home remedies your Aunt Matilda cooked up

In his post, Dr Kamarul explains how home remedies, like toothpaste on inflicted burns, can actually cause severe inflammation and even lead to infection.

He also explains that there are three primary types of burns:

• First-degree
• Second-degree
• Third-degree

While first-degree burn victims usually experience pain, redness and non-blistered skin, second-degree victims routinely suffer blisters, pain and redness. As for third-degree burns, the skin had a widespread thickness with a white, leathery appearance, and pain would be virtually non-existent because the nerve endings are already damaged.

Also, the doctor has some key tips should you ever find yourself in such a situation, and it’s not finding your Black Man toothpaste.

1. Shift yourself or the victim away from the source of heat. Stay cool and do not panic.
2. Take off all jewellery, clothes and accessories that got burnt, unless it’s stuck to the injured area
3. Run the burnt area under running (room temperature) water for 15-20 minutes to halt the formation of blisters. Do not use ice or cold water, which can slow down the whole healing process.
4. Should blisters form, allow it to recover naturally, and do not prick it. With the aid of a clean bandage, protect the affected area.

What if I, touch wood, suffer more severe burns?

Should you ever encounter serious burns, such as second or third-degree burns, Dr Kamarul advises that you head to the nearest clinic. And if the injured area’s bigger than the size of a palm, or happens to be on the face or genitals, you’re advised to head over to a doctor for the treatment… pronto.

Jika anda mengalami kelecuran, jangan letak ubat gigi, minyak gamat, tepung, kicap, telur dan sebagainya di kawasan lecuran.

Ia boleh menyebabkan inflamasi yang lebih teruk dan berisiko terkena jangkitan. pic.twitter.com/ikNKYgFGtd

— Dr. Kamarul Ariffin Nor Sadan (@dr_chaku) June 12, 2019

Thus far, the tweet has garnered a cool 20,110 retweets, as well as 7,328 likes. Some have also asked whether aloe vera gel was alright, and the doctor expressed that it was fine…

Albeit only for first-degree burns.

So there you have it folks; abstain from toothpaste should burns occur, and always remember.

Old wives’ tales might sound true and effective, but whether they actually work is really down to science itself.

And now if you’ll excuse me, I have some apples to throw away. 😉 Catch you later.

To know more about other old wives’ tales, watch this video to the end:

Featured Image: Maxx-Studio / Shutterstock.com