{"id":22191,"date":"2025-11-02T08:00:03","date_gmt":"2025-11-02T13:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/?p=22191"},"modified":"2025-11-02T08:00:03","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T13:00:03","slug":"doctors-debunk-one-of-the-most-common-health-myths-still-spreading-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/health\/doctors-debunk-one-of-the-most-common-health-myths-still-spreading-today-22191\/","title":{"rendered":"Doctors debunk one of the most common health myths still spreading today"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s something most of us have heard since childhood: if you burn yourself, grab some ice<\/strong>. The colder, the better. It sounds logical, as heat meets cold, but according to doctors, this long-standing home remedy can actually make things worse<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Applying ice to a burn can damage your skin further, slowing healing instead of helping it. Experts say this is one of the most common and persistent health myths<\/strong><\/a> still circulating today. Let’s break down what really happens when you use ice on a burn, what you should do instead<\/strong>, and a few other everyday health claims that don’t hold up to science.<\/p>\n

The myth about icing a burn<\/h2>\n

When you touch something hot\u2014say, a pan handle or a splash of boiling water\u2014the instinct to cool it down fast makes sense. As infectious disease physician Dr. Leong Hoe Nam explains, putting ice directly on a burn can cause additional harm<\/strong>. The extreme cold constricts blood vessels and can create a frostbite-like effect, damaging skin tissue that’s already injured.<\/p>\n

Instead of soothing, ice can worsen pain and increase the risk of skin breakdown. The best first step after a minor burn is to run the area under cool (not cold) running water for several minutes<\/strong>. This helps reduce heat and inflammation safely without shocking the tissue.<\/p>\n

After rinsing, gently pat the area dry and cover it with a clean, loose gauze to protect it from bacteria<\/strong>. Avoid thick ointments, butter, or toothpaste. Despite their reputation as quick fixes, these can trap heat and slow healing. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help with discomfort, but if the burn is large, blistered, or affects sensitive areas like the face or hands, it’s important to seek medical care.<\/p>\n

Other health myths people still believe<\/h2>\n

The ice-on-burn myth<\/strong><\/a> isn’t the only bit of misinformation that’s been passed down through generations. Many old health “rules” sound convincing, but don’t hold up under scientific scrutiny.<\/p>\n