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Health hazards through New Year's Eve fireworks Experts warn Böllern and Co
Millions of people in Germany will welcome New Year's Eve with fireworks on New Year's Eve night. This is often associated with a risk to the eyes, ears and hands, health experts warn. Affected people should get help quickly.
Burns, eye injuries and hearing damage
Like every year, doctors warn of the dangers of fireworks before the turn of the year. Again and again, thousands of people are injured by guns, rockets and other articles. Every year there are burns to the hands and face, injuries of the eye and eyelids, hearing damage and blatant trauma. Physicians at the University Hospital of Freiburg therefore point out in a statement to exercise great caution when burning fireworks.
Health experts warn at the turn of the year from the dangers of fireworks. Böller and rockets can cause burns and eye injuries, among other things. (Image: skatzenberger / fotolia.com) Self-built and unauthorized explosive devices are particularly dangerous
Especially self-built or unauthorized explosive devices often cause injuries. Affected persons should, especially in severe cases, seek the help of medical specialists as soon as possible.
As stated in the communication, injuries on New Year's Eve usually require speedy treatment. "Do not try to treat anything on the eye yourself, but go immediately to an ophthalmological emergency center. Even minimal external pressure can seriously damage this situation ", recommends Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Reinhard, Medical Director of the Department of Ophthalmology of the University Hospital Freiburg.
"Patients should have eye injuries treated immediately and do not wait or even sleep off their intoxication first. Because of that, the chances of recovery decrease significantly compared to an immediate treatment. "
Extreme strain on the ears
When an explosive device explodes, it puts extreme strain on the ears. Experts at the University Hospital are therefore advised to protect themselves with earplugs and sufficient distance.
The medical director of the Department of Otolaryngology of the University Hospital Freiburg, Prof. Dr. med. Roland Laszig recommends that anyone who has symptoms such as ear noise or hearing loss the next day visit an ENT specialist.
"Every year around 8,000 people in Germany suffer New Year's Eve damage to their hearing, usually a so-called bang trauma. The symptoms often clear over time. But in many cases hearing is compromised for months, years or even a lifetime, "said the doctor.
Home remedies for minor burns
Furthermore, the burning of explosive devices, especially in self-built or unauthorized articles, often burns on the hands and face.
In mild cases, ointment and home remedies for burns may be used. For example, the healing effects of aloe vera play an important role.
"Cool larger burns, but do not try to clean the wound or open blisters. You should leave this to specialists, "explains Dr. med. Thorsten Hammer, Medical Director Surgery of the University Emergency Center at the University Hospital of Freiburg.
Health risks from smoke
Another health hazard from New Year's Eve fireworks is the smoke caused by the fired guns and rockets. The particulate matter contained therein can greatly affect the respiratory tract when inhaled.
This causes symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath and burning eyes. In addition, the cardiovascular system may also be overburdened. In particular, lung patients who suffer from, for example, asthma or smoker's lung should not stand directly in the smoke of fireworks. (Ad)