Diwali safety tips: Plastic surgeon on what you should do when there is a burn injury

Stay safe this Diwali by knowing the immediate steps to take if a burn injury happens expert tips to help you respond quickly and effectively.(Image: Canva)

Diwali- The festival of lights, a time to rejoice and celebrate, gets along with it the threat of burn injuries due to the bursting of firecrackers and lighting of diyas, candles. All festive season reports are made in hospitals of hundreds of burns and many can be avoided or reduced if first aid is started quickly.

Burns can vary from minor redness to severe tissue damage, and even a small burn can cause infection or other complications if not treated right away. Knowing the different types of burns and what to do in the immediate aftermath of one, can make a critical difference in healing. Effective first aid, administered promptly, can relieve pain and prevent infection as well as substantially reducing the risk of long-term scarring or more serious medical intervention.

Safety is key during Diwali, and it’s equally important to have a well-stocked burn first aid kit—which should also be used effectively by following steps like cooling the burn, covering it with clean dressing, and not resorting to unsafe home remedies. But a little bit of preparedness and presence of mind can make all the difference and ensure that this festival stays one of happiness, light and good health for everyone.

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Dr Arvind Kaushal, MCh - Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Jalandhar told Moneycontrol, “During festivals, the risk of firecracker-related burns increases significantly, making it important to know the right first steps to be taken in such cases. After a burn, cooling the affected area gently with running tap water for no more than ten minutes, should be the first and most crucial step. This would not only help lessen tissue damage but also help in reducing the pain and the heat from the burn in the area.

“Avoid home remedies like application of toothpaste, ice or butter on the burn area, as they may worsen the injury and increase the risk of infections. Cover the burn loosely with a clean, non-stick dressing. Before swelling sets in, gently remove any rings, watches, or tight clothing near the burn.

If the burn area is larger than the size of a palm, please seek medical help right away. In particular, for facial or hand burns, it is advisable to consult a doctor at the earliest to prevent complications and ensure proper healing. Timely intervention not only eases pain but also reduces the risk of complications in burn cases.”

Dr Chintan Gujarati, Cosmetic/Plastic Surgeon at Ruby Hall Clinic Pune says that there should be immediate care to minimize the tissue damage and reduce the pain as well as avoid infection.

Types of Burns

1. First-degree burns: Only the upper portion of the skin is affected resulting in redness, pain and slight swelling.

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2. Second-degree burns: Infection goes deep into the skin, blistering and resulting in severe pain and edema.

3. Third-degree burns: Tartarine through the dermis, possibly causing tissue injury. The latter may look white, burnt, or leathery and are usually painless because of the damage of nerves.

First Thing to Do When Burned

• Stop burn process: get away or arrive at the place of fire or flames.

•  Snuff out the burn: Apply running cool (not icy-cold) water for at least 1020 minutes. This aids in decreasing the heat, swelling and pains.

•  Take off tight objects: Jewelry, watches, belts or tight clothing should be taken off around the area of the burn before the swelling starts.

• Cover the burn: Any clean, non-sticky cloth or sterile dressing can be used to cover the area to prevent infection.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.