New Delhi. In view of the festival of Diwali, all major hospitals of Delhi have been put on high alert. Keeping in mind the possible accidents caused by firecrackers and fire during the festival, the hospital administration has made special preparations. Additional arrangements have been made in the burn, plastic surgery and emergency departments of hospitals. Along with this, additional beds have also been reserved for better treatment of emergency patients, so that in case of any untoward incident, immediate medical care can be provided to the injured.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Delhi's average air quality index (AQI) on Saturday was recorded between 364 and 369, which falls in the very poor category. At the same time, AQI crossed 400 at many monitoring centers in the capital, which is included in the serious category. There is a possibility of the pollution level increasing further due to the use of firecrackers on the occasion of Diwali. In such a situation, problems for children, elderly and people suffering from respiratory problems may increase.
In view of the accidents caused by firecrackers and fire during Diwali, doctors have advised people to avoid adopting home remedies in case of burns. Experts say common household mistakes like applying toothpaste, ice or potatoes on a burn can cause further damage to the skin. This may also increase the risk of infection. Dr. Sandeep Dagar, Chief Medical Officer of Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital, cautioned the people and said that often in case of burning, people use toothpaste, ice or potato to get immediate relief, whereas doing so is absolutely wrong. Using these things can cause additional damage to the burnt skin.
At the same time, Dr. Manoj Jha, Professor, Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital said that in case of burning any part of the body, first of all, the affected area should be kept under normal cold running tap water for 10 to 20 minutes. This helps reduce irritation and prevents the wound from becoming deeper.
Danger to eyes from firecrackers on Diwali
Gunpowder and sparks emanating from the anklets can pose a serious threat to the eyes. Due to this, there is a risk of damage to the cornea and retina and in some cases even loss of eyesight. Ophthalmologist of Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. Pankaj Ranjan warned that if the gunpowder from firecrackers gets into the eyes, it can cause serious injury to the eyes. Sometimes the injury can be so serious that the person's eyesight can also be affected. Dr. Ranjan advised not to use any kind of medicine or eye drops on your own in case of eye injury due to firecracker or gunpowder. In such a situation, an ophthalmologist should be contacted without delay, so that proper treatment can be provided on time.
What to do immediately if you get burnt by a firecracker?
Use cold water: In case of burn on any part of the body, immediately place the affected area under normal cold running water for 10 to 20 minutes.
Cover the wound: Cover the burn loosely with a clean, non-stick cloth or sterile dressing.
Contact a doctor: If the wound is large, deep, or very painful, go to the hospital without delay.
What absolutely not to do in case of burning?
Do not apply ice: Applying or rubbing ice directly on the burnt area can cause further damage to the skin.
Avoid home remedies: Do not apply toothpaste, potato, turmeric, oil or ghee on the burnt wound. This can increase the risk of infection and other problems.
Follow these precautions for a safe Diwali
Take care of clothes: Avoid wearing clothes like gown, saree, achkan or loose kurta while burning firecrackers. Prefer cotton clothes instead of synthetic clothes.
Make safety arrangements: While burning firecrackers, keep a bucket filled with water and sand nearby, so that in case of fire, immediate rescue can be done.
Eye protection is important: Avoid wearing contact lenses while burning crackers. Use good quality protective goggles to protect your eyes.
Keep an eye on children: Never let small children burn crackers alone. Always let them burn crackers under the supervision of elders.
Take care of the environment: Avoid firecrackers to reduce the impact of pollution and noise. If you burn crackers, use only certified green crackers as per the rules.
Doctors say that sweets should be consumed in limited quantities during festivals and exposure to polluted air should be avoided. Especially children, elderly and people already suffering from diseases need to be extra cautious. Heart and thoracic surgeon Dr. Shriram Nene said that people need not feel guilty about eating their favorite things occasionally during festivals. However, they should be aware of the possible side effects of their diet. People can enjoy sweets during the festival, but should avoid consuming them in excessive quantities.
At the same time, Dr. Randeep Guleria, former director of Delhi-based All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), has advised people already suffering from other diseases to avoid going out in the morning and late evening. According to him, during these times in winter, the level of air pollution near the ground can increase, which increases the risk of health related problems. Underlining the dangers of pollution, Mumbai-based ENT surgeon Dr Varun Dave said that breathing air with AQI of around 250 can be equivalent to smoking 10 to 15 cigarettes per day.
Dr. Abhishek Tandon, a pulmonologist at Medanta Hospital in Lucknow, advised people to stay indoors as much as possible, keep doors and windows closed and use good quality air purifiers. He especially emphasized on installing air purifiers in the bedrooms. Apart from this, it is advised to wear a good quality N95 mask when going out for important work. Internal medicine expert Dr. Ruchita Sharma said that the extremely fine particles present in air pollution are not visible to the naked eye, but can reach deep into the body tissues. These particles can increase oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. This can worsen the problems of asthma patients and also increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases including heart attack.
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