Light up-HAPPY DEEPAWALI

Light up

HAPPY DEEPAVALI

...this season by bearing in mind the first aid required for burn and eye injuries, just in case

The lure of using crackers is irresistible. But it doesn't take long before this festival of lights can turn into a nightmare of sorts for many with people suffering from burn and eye injuries. Here, we offer tips on first aid. Burn Injuries With the increase in the number of firecrackers, burn cases have also increased over the years. Dr Milind Wagh, plastic surgeon, consultant plastic aesthetic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital offers quick measures to treat burns. Recognising the burn type A first degree burn is superficial. The skin turns red in colour but the sensation is intact. Second degree burns cause blisters on the skin. The skin turns pink at the periphery. Third degree burns result in skin death. The skin is white and without sensation. First-aid for burns • Hold the burned area under cold running water for at least five to 10 minutes or until the pain subsides. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. • Remove clothing from the burned area if it is silk or nylon because it tends to stick. Do not just peel off just because the skin can also come off • Do not clean the area with anything other than water • Do not give unsupervised painkillers. You can give a child Paracetamol if the child is in great pain • Do not cover it with a bandage or a sterile gauze pad. Do not use cotton as it may stick to the wound • Consume water in any form possible to avoid further tissue damage • Use cool compresses till the doctor arrives or the patient is taken to the hospital • Apply an antiseptic cream available in the market. Do not neglect because superficial burns can turn out to be first degree and second degree burns. Eye Injuries Apart from burn injuries, eye injuries are something which is another common concern during Diwali. Most of the eye injuries may result in permanent loss of vision. Dr Anand Shroff, opthalmalogist, Shroff Eye Hospital helps avoid these problems. First-aid for eye injury • Do not rub your eyes • Use the corner of a soft clean cloth to draw particles out, or hold the eyelids open and flush the eyes with water • If a particle is large or stuck in the eye, do not attempt to remove it. • Keep eyes closed and go to the eye doctor immediately • If there is any chemical that has entered the eyes, immediately irrigate the eyes and under the eyelids, with water, for 30 minutes and consult a doctor. Why are Fireworks dangerous? • Sparklers are one of the major causes of firework injuries requiring hospitalisation. Sparklers are dangerous because they burn at a temperature hot enough to melt gold (1,800° F) • Most fireworks contain gunpowder, which causes these devices to explode. Because fireworks are unpredictable, injuries can occur even if the person is careful or is under supervision • Bottle rockets are among the most dangerous fireworks available today. They account for the majority of all fireworks injuries that lead to permanent eye damage.