Burns and mutilations: how to intervene while waiting for help
Last year seventy-three were counted in the city of Naples alone. A "small" number compared to the tragic ones we recorded in the 80s and 90s. But which, in any case, had once again confirmed Naples at the top of the black list of Italian cities for New Year's firework injuries.
Clearly the press campaigns against prohibited fireworks, seizures by law enforcement, and the "crusades" carried out by a group of frontline doctors in city emergency rooms have, over the years, produced greater awareness on the subject.
This year too, doctors have returned to classrooms to give lessons on legality, to show what can happen to hands and eyes if illegal fireworks are set off. Starting with the chief of hand surgery at Vecchio Pellegrini, Umberto Passaretti, to the director of the hyperbaric chamber at Cardarelli, anesthesiologist Mariano Marmo.
But let's return to the injured. Children are the ones who, more than adults, pay the consequences of using illegal fireworks. The greatest emergency occurs the day after the night of fireworks. That is, the morning of January 1st when children ignite unexploded firecrackers.
Another aspect of the New Year's Eve battle: animals. Last year the toll was over 200 - dogs and cats combined - animals killed due to fireworks, according to Aidaa (Italian Association for Animal and Environment Defense). The previous year was a true slaughter that had reached a thousand animals. Most reports of dead dogs usually come from Southern Italy, particularly from Campania, Puglia, and Sicily.
Advice from plastic surgeon Borriello: never underestimate injuries caused by explosions
"Even if they are small and superficial, burns from year-end fireworks should not be underestimated": Alfredo Borriello, director of the Plastic Surgery unit at Pellegrini Hospital, a reference point for burn emergencies for Central-Southern Italy, provides a guide on what to do and what to absolutely avoid.
"A burn, that is, the injury produced by heat, can be more or less serious, depending mainly on the extent and duration of contact between the burning agent and the skin" - says the surgeon.
The mildest burns, first degree, involve redness (or erythema) and cause burning and pain. They heal in a week without leaving scars.
Second degree burns, however, cause blisters, intense pain and burning. The more superficial ones heal in 10-15 days without leaving scars; the deeper ones heal in a longer time and may leave scars.
"In serious cases, that is, third degree, with necrosis of skin tissues, you must immediately go to the emergency room or call 118, without letting the patient drink. While waiting for help, ideally have them lie down and cover them, to prevent body temperature drop."
"First of all, first aid is cooling the affected area, which is done very simply: you must immerse the burned part in cold water as soon as possible, for about fifteen minutes."
Things to absolutely avoid in case of burns, as Dr. Borriello specifies:
Dr. Borriello was also interviewed on the radio on January 1, 2013 at 1:00 PM to provide live advice to citizens on firework burns.
This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not in any way replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For any medical questions or concerns, it is essential to consult your physician or a qualified specialist.
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