Cucumber slices and ER visits: The dangers in your kitchen

You may have seen the viral TikTok videos of people using a mandoline to create paper thin cucumber slices to soak up the various concoctions of ingredients. However, while replicating this trend, people are ending up in the emergency room.

Kitchen tools can be a time saver, especially if you don’t have great knife skills. But just like knives, using a mandoline comes with its own risk of injury due to its sharp blades, including sliced fingers and knuckles.

“If you get a deep cut from a mandoline or any other kitchen tool, you may need to go to the emergency room for stitches,” explains Dr. Ryan Murphy, an emergency medicine physician at Aurora BayCare Medical Center. “If your cut is minor, you can attend to the injury at home. You’ll want to apply pressure to the wound and elevate your hand to stop the bleeding. Then, clean the area thoroughly and apply a bandage.”

Mandolines and knives aren’t the only dangers in your kitchen. Graters, vegetable peelers, sharp lids after using a can opener, and blades from food processors and blenders can lead to cuts without careful use.

To ward off trips to the emergency room, follow these kitchen tool safety tips:

• Use the kitchen tool’s guard.
• Wear a cut-resistant glove.
• Always keep your fingers away from the knife blade. Consider wearing a finger guard when chopping.
• Take your time. Speed often results in injury.
• Avoid looking away or multi-tasking.
• Use a steady cutting board and surface.
• Make sure your gadgets and knives are sharp.
• Be mindful of sharp edges when cleaning the tool.

“If your injury becomes infected, see a health care provider. This may look like swelling, change in color and/or drainage,” explains Dr. Murphy.

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