New Year's Eve Fireworks Physicians warn against dangers to eyes, ears and hands

Danger from New Year's fireworks: Often, bystanders are injured

Fireworks on New Year's Eve are loud, colorful and often beautiful to look at. In case of improper handling, however, they are one thing above all else: dangerous. Rockets and boulders cause numerous injuries every year, especially to the eyes, ears and hands. Afflicted are often those who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Dangers from legal firecrackers

Millions of people in Germany will welcome New Year's Eve with fireworks on New Year's Eve night. Like every year, doctors at the turn of the year warn of the possible injuries caused by guns and rockets. What many do not consider: Not only self-built and unauthorized explosive devices, but also legal blast, represent an enormous danger dar. Thus warned a Bavarian authority recently, especially in front of the lightning bolt body "Crazy Robots", at its ignition in the immediate vicinity blasts, burns and in the worst case, the loss of limbs are to be feared.

Millions of people in Germany will welcome New Year's Eve with fireworks on New Year's Eve night. Unfortunately, there are always injuries to Böller and rockets. Afflicted are often those who are in the wrong place at the wrong time. (Image: eyetronic / fotolia.com)

Especially eyes, ears and hands endangered by New Year's fireworks

On New Year's Eve, many people are injured by guns, rockets and other items every year.

It usually comes to burns on the hands and face, injuries to the eye and eyelids, hearing damage and blast trauma, experts at the University Hospital Freiburg report in a statement.

The physicians of the clinic therefore recommend great caution when burning fireworks. Particularly serious injuries occur with explosive devices that have been manufactured or have no official approval.

Especially in more severe cases, those affected should dial emergency number 112 as quickly as possible or directly seek the help of medical specialists.

Injuries of the eyes

Injuries to the eyes, be it burns or splinters, almost always have to be dealt with quickly.

"Do not try to do anything on your own, but go to an ophthalmological emergency center immediately. Because even a little external pressure can seriously damage this situation, "advises Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Reinhard, Medical Director of the Department of Ophthalmology of the University Hospital Freiburg.

"Under no circumstances should sufferers sleep off their intoxication first. Because over time, the cure prospects decline significantly compared to an immediate treatment, "said the physician.

Especially nasty: "Most people who hurt themselves have not actively" bounced "at all. 75 percent, ie three out of four, are bystanders! "Explains Prof. Petra Meier, Deputy Director of the Clinic and Outpatient Clinic for Ophthalmology at the University Hospital Leipzig (UKL).

That is not only in Leipzig, but nationwide to observe. "These people were literally in the wrong place at the wrong time. That's the mean thing about it, "says the eye expert.

Prevent ear damage

The explosion of an explosive device causes a short, extreme strain on the ears. Even if the noise is not perceived as unpleasant, such a blast trauma can damage your hearing permanently.

"The treatment options for bang traumas are limited. Therefore, participants of a fireworks should necessarily protect with ear plugs and sufficient distance ", recommends Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Mult. Roland Laszig, Medical Director of the Department of Otolaryngology of the University Medical Center Freiburg.

If ear noises or hearing loss are still present the next day, he recommends to consult an ENT doctor:

"Every year around 8,000 people in Germany suffer damage to their ears on New Year's Eve. The symptoms often clear over time. But in many cases hearing is damaged for months, years or even a lifetime. "

Also, the risk of developing a chronic tinnitus increases for those who have once suffered a bang trauma. "Such an event is one of the few clear causes that we know about chronic tinnitus," explains Drs. Daniela Ivanšić, Head of the Tinnitus Center of the Department of Otolaryngology at the University Hospital Jena (UKJ).

Burns and serious injuries

Especially with home-made or non-approved items it comes on New Year's Eve always burns.

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. That's what you should leave to specialists, "says Dr. Thorsten Hammer, Medical Director Surgery of the University Emergency Center at the University Hospital of Freiburg.

Also for the demolition or partial separation of fingers it comes again and again. Even if these can be restored, long-term restrictions on touching, gripping and holding can not be prevented in many cases, as Prof. Dr. med. Björn Stark, Medical Director of the Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery of the University Medical Center 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)