Asthma alert for firecrackers as injuries rise

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) is expecting an increase in respiratory cases, particularly asthma attacks, amidst the New Year revelry due to the smoke coming from firecrackers.

“Every New Year celebration, you would see more people suffering from asthma because of firecrackers. We just hope that they could prepare and avoid being exposed to firecrackers,” said DOH director for Heath Emergency Bureau Cirilo Galindes.

He advised those with respiratory conditions to stay indoors to avoid inhaling firecracker smoke. If needed, they could wear mask or cover their mouth with a wet cloth to prevent exposure to smoke.

DOH consultant Minguita Padilla has also asked asthmatic people to make sure that they have their medicine and inhalers on hand.

“Same with those suffering allergic conjunctivitis. Have their anti-allergy drops and cold compress on hand. Anti-histamines should also be on hand, especially if you have skin allergies,” added Padilla, who is also the president of the Eye Bank Foundation.

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane that covers the white part of the eyeball and lines the eyelid.

The mildest effect of smoke and firecracker particles on the eye is irritation, but fireworks blasts could also lead to blindness in severe cases, Padilla said.

If small particles get into the surface of the eyes, wash with clean running water or water of drinking quality.

Padilla, however, maintained that it is best to see a doctor right away if one is not sure what got into one’s eyes or the extent of the damage in the eyes.

Citing DOH records, Padilla cautioned that eye injuries account for 20 percent of firecracker-related injuries. Hand injuries rank first.

Yesterday, DOH reported that a nine-year-old boy from La Loma, Quezon City was brought to University of Santo Tomas Hospital after accidentally ingesting luces.

This brought to 162 the number of firecracker blast injuries and fireworks ingestion cases recorded by the DOH’s National Epidemiology Center from 6 a.m. of Dec. 21 to 6 a.m. of Dec. 30.

The DOH has reiterated that while this is 113 cases lower than last year, the trend is still not acceptable. It renewed its call to the public not to use firecrackers in welcoming the New Year.

The ages of the injured ranged from three to 68. Fifty-six cases were children below 10 years old while 120 were active users of firecrackers. Piccolo remains the leading cause of injuries, accounting for 113 cases.

Records also showed that 125 sustained blast injuries with amputation, while 31 suffered eye injuries.