Birthdays are exciting for everyone. There's celebration, a cake, and balloons. But what if it goes wrong? This is what happened with Giang Pham, from Vietnam, who was celebrating her 33rd birthday on February 14, when a hydrogen balloon in her hand touched the flame from the candle on the cake and exploded on her face.

This incident was also captured on camera. The footage clearly shows how the balloon blew up as soon as it touched the flame. Her friends were shocked and can be heard gasping in the background as they saw this.

In the days following the incident, she also shared photos on her Instagram showing her bandaged face, and revealed the first-degree burns on her hand and second-degree burns on her face. However, the good news was that her vision was unaffected, though for her face to recover, it would take months.

She is now also warning others about the risks of using highly inflammable hydrogen balloons. The other alternative could be a helium balloon, which you could fly higher and they remain on the ceiling.

Health Update

She revealed that her doctor estimated up to six months for her skin to recover. She would still have to go to the hospital for dressing and treatment. Another such case happened with a woman named Tine from Australia, when on her son's 7th birthday, the balloon exploded and "shook her house". Her son was burned in the forearm.

Such incidents happen because decorators want to save the cost by replacing helium with hydrogen, which is highly inflammable.

In Healing

Giang shared that she experienced second-degree burn on her face and first-degree burn on her hands. As per John Hopkins Medicine, first degree burns affect only the epidermis, or the outer layer of skin. The burn site becomes red, painful, dry, however, there are no blisters. A mild sunburn could be an example of such a burn. This is also called superficial burns.

Whereas, second degree burns involve the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of the skin. The burn site appears red, blistered and could also be swollen and painful. This is also known as partial thickness burn.

Then comes the third degree burns, also known as full thickness burn. This destroys the epidermis and dermis and could also damage the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. However, when the bones and muscles are burned, it could be referred to as a fourth degree burn. The burn sit appears white or charred and there is no feeling in the area since the nerve endings are destroyed.

How burns are treated?

The right way to treat a burn depends on its depth and how much of the body it covers. While minor, superficial burns can be managed at home, deeper or larger burns may need medical attention. Keep these essential guidelines in mind:

Do:

• Remove the source of the burn immediately – For example, take off clothing soaked in hot liquid to prevent further damage.
• Run cool water over the burn – This helps soothe the skin, except in cases of certain chemical burns.
• Keep the burn clean and protected – Cover it with a clean, non-stick bandage when possible.
• Seek medical help – If the burn is deeper than a superficial layer, larger than your hand, or full-thickness, see a doctor.

Don’t:

• Use home remedies like bleach or butter – These can make the burn worse.
• Apply ointments or creams on deep burns – They can trap heat and worsen the injury.
• Put ice on the burn – It can cause more damage to the skin.
• Pop blisters – This increases the risk of infection.

Knowing these simple steps can make a big difference in burn care and healing.

After a long day at work, the occasional glass of wine helps many people unwind. However, some struggle to strike a balance and get involved in binge drinking habits. If you are someone who is unable to give up that frequent dose of cocktails, then a study claims that weight loss drugs can come to your rescue. Experts have found that alcoholics who are obese, when given Wegovy, could curb their drinking habits by as much as 70 per cent. A study in Denmark was led by experts from the Mental Health Centre Copenhagen and Frederiksberg Hospital, and experts used semaglutide on 108 obese patients seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder.

Can weight loss drugs help curb drinking habits?

Half the participants in the study were given 2.4 mg of the drug for six months. The other half were also given a dummy drug. Researchers found that people who were on weight loss drugs had fewer days of binge drinking. Furthermore, their alcohol cravings also dipped compared to people on placebo. Before the trial began, participants engaged in binge drinking on an average of 17 days per month.

Researchers also noted that people who were given semaglutide for six months saw their binge drinking days reduce to five in a 30-day period. This correlated to a 40 per cent dip in drinking days in a month, compared to a 26 per cent dip in the placebo group. These dummy drugs helped reduce drinking days to nine. In terms of alcohol quantity, trial participants drank roughly 2,200 g in the 30 days before the trial started. This meant about 154 drinks in a month, or five per day. Over a period of six months after the trial, there was an impressive 70 per cent dip — from an average of 154 drinks a month to 46 drinks a month in people who were taking semaglutide.

What are the benefits of semaglutide?

Alcohol consumption dipped by an impressive 47 per cent in the dummy drug group as well. The study found that overall alcohol consumption can be reduced among semaglutide users compared to people who were taking the placebo. Researchers found that semaglutide not only affects appetite but also influences biological mechanisms associated with addiction.

Independent researchers found that the results were encouraging and strong enough to be used in helping people struggling with alcohol use problems. However, more research is required in this area. Researchers also noted that there were no follow-ups with the participants after the semaglutide treatment ended. This means that experts could not be fully certain whether people reverted to their old drinking habits once they stopped using the medicine.

What are the health benefits of weight loss drugs?

Apart from inducing weight loss, weight loss drugs have the following health benefits:

1. Quitting smoking
2. Can help kick drug habits such as cocaine use
3. Lower risk of heart attack or stroke
4. May help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol to improve heart health
5. Lower risk of dementia

A whopping $600 million global vaccine aid meant for poorer nations has been put on hold by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., according to a media report.

The delay in vaccines is putting pressure on the international humanitarian group Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance that distributes them, Politico reported.

Gavi noted that it has not received the funds due for the current and previous fiscal years, which account for about 15 percent of its budget.

The funds are set to expire on September 30 if the Trump administration does not release them.

The organization provides vaccines for 20 diseases, including measles, malaria and polio, to more than 50 low-income countries worldwide.

Sania Nishtar, Gavi CEO, told the newswire AFP, the funding gap, combined with reductions from other donors, has particularly impacted malaria vaccination efforts.

Gavi has delivered 39 million doses of a malaria vaccine to 25 African countries, where the disease predominantly affects children under five. Nishtar warned that tens of thousands of children could die as a result of the funding cuts.

Why Is Kennedy Holding Up Vaccines

Kennedy argues that the shots are obsolete with dangerous ingredients that the US has long since phased out.

“Gavi has refused to provide the United States with the specific data, studies, or detailed accounting of how US funds are used,” Emily Hilliard, senior press secretary at the Health and Human Services Department, said in a statement.

Advocates for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance warn that withholding funds could cost children’s lives. They argue that the vaccines used are safe and better suited for developing regions, where refrigeration is limited and administering booster doses is more difficult.

Hilliard said Gavi has declined to create a plan to phase out thimerosal, a mercury-based vaccine preservative that Kennedy believes may be linked to autism. The administration has asked Gavi to stop using vaccines containing this preservative.

Thimerosal is used in several vaccines distributed by Gavi, including combination shots protecting against multiple diseases, according to former chief executive Seth Berkley. He explained that many developing countries rely on multi-dose vials, which require less refrigeration but may contain thimerosal to prevent contamination.

Without such vaccines, “kids would go without vaccines… and that would lead directly to deaths,” Berkley said.

During testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Kennedy also raised concerns about a vaccine used to protect against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, claiming it had been discontinued in the US due to safety issues.

Gavi responded that the vaccine remains in use because it offers longer-lasting protection and requires fewer doses. The organization said the vaccine “is safe and effective and estimated to have saved 40 million lives in the past 50 years,” the report said.

A plant-based diet is highly recommended for a healthy heart — weight watchers can also benefit from it, as can diabetics. When one goes vegan, the biggest change comes when one moves from dairy milk to oat, almond, or soy milk. Parents, too, are now shifting their children to trendy vegan milk options — little do they realise that this could bring their worst fears to life. According to the British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology, drinks that are aimed at children and often marketed as healthy are usually loaded with sugar and offer little or no nutrition.

Why has plant milk become a preferred choice?

Experts found that children under five years of age are more prone to malnutrition, tooth decay, or even obesity. The study is the first of its kind, and its warning will be published in the coming week. It is backed by the British Dental Association and the British Dietetic Association. Doctors say that plant-based drinks are often compared to cow’s milk in terms of nutrition. However, these claims are not supported by current evidence.

Why is plant milk discouraged for children?

Plant milk has gained popularity in recent years because of the health benefits that many believe it offers. While adults may benefit from it in several ways, toddlers must not be given these packaged, sugary drinks. The added sugars can become nothing more than a frequent treat for children, who may lose their milk teeth sooner and suffer from decay. Researchers found that families are often convinced that plant milk is good for children, but these oat, almond, and soy versions of milk are processed and full of sucrose and fructose syrups.

According to a report, most of these drinks contain large amounts of sugar in the form of maltodextrin, glucose syrup, sucrose, and fructose. A 350 ml glass of such milk contains more than double a toddler’s daily sugar allowance. Ideally, toddlers should not be given more than 14 grams of sugar every day. Their young bodies can struggle to absorb vitamin B12 and calcium from plant drinks. The BSACI recommends that parents opt for unsweetened, fortified plant milk instead, as these can play a crucial role in supporting children’s health.

How do ultra-processed foods affect children’s health?

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are defined as food groups that undergo a great deal of processing — the most natural foods fall under Group 1, while heavily processed foods are placed under Group 4. While these do not definitively determine how healthy a food option is, they indicate the level of processing involved. Highly processed foods are associated with a range of health problems, which is why it is important to make informed dietary choices.

What are minimally processed foods?

In your kitchen, foods with a minimal level of processing include:

1. Fruits
2. Vegetables
3. Grains
4. Legumes
5. Meat and poultry
6. Eggs
7. Fish and seafood
8. Fresh milk
9. Spices and herbs
10. Coffee and tea
11. Nuts and seeds
12. Plain yoghurt

What are ultra-processed foods in your kitchen?

Some of the most processed foods in your kitchen include:

1. Sweetened yoghurt
2. Soft drinks
3. Biscuits
4. Breakfast cereals
5. Candies
6. Cake mixes
7. Breads and buns
8. Energy drinks
9. Energy bars
10. Frozen foods — pies, pizzas, snacks, sausages, pepperoni, ham, and salami
11. Instant foods — noodles, soups, and sauces