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.

The NHS has made the morning-after pill available for free in pharmacies across England, aiming to eliminate the “postcode lottery” that limited access to emergency contraception. Nearly 10,000 pharmacies can now provide the pill without charge, meaning women no longer need to visit a GP or book an appointment at a sexual health clinic to access it. Previously, some pharmacies charged up to £30 for the emergency pill.

Free Emergency Contraception Now Available at Pharmacies

Thousands of women in England can now access the morning-after pill for free from local pharmacies under the government’s NHS reforms, which are designed to make healthcare services more accessible without requiring GP appointments.

Research suggests that one in five women aged 18 to 35 will need emergency contraception each year. The pill can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.

Before this change, women had to buy the pill over the counter for as much as £30 or seek it free from GPs and sexual health clinics. However, both options often came with barriers such as appointment delays or reduced clinic availability due to funding cuts. With the pill being most effective when taken soon after unprotected sex, the NHS move has been welcomed by health advocates as a timely and practical step.

Where Can You Get the Free Morning-After Pill?

As reported by The Independent, around 10,000 pharmacies in England, including major chains like Boots and Superdrug, as well as independent outlets, are now offering the morning-after pill free of charge.

Claire Nevinson, Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots, said that pharmacists can also provide confidential advice on contraception choices. “Expanding the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service to include access to emergency hormonal contraception is a significant step forward in helping women get timely healthcare,” she explained.

“Women can visit their local Boots pharmacy for free contraception advice, support, and medication—without needing a GP or clinic appointment.”

What Was the Situation Before This Change?

Until this rollout, women often had to make an appointment at a clinic or contact their GP to obtain emergency contraception, which sometimes led to delays, especially over weekends or in rural areas. Under the new plan, women of reproductive age can now walk into any participating pharmacy and speak directly with a trained pharmacist. Consultations are private, and the pill is dispensed immediately if appropriate.

This initiative adds to a growing list of NHS pharmacy services, which now include starting or continuing regular birth control, getting advice after beginning antidepressants, and receiving blood pressure checks and vaccinations. The goal is to make local pharmacies a convenient first stop for everyday healthcare needs.

A Step Toward Easier Access

The new scheme represents a broader effort to expand women’s healthcare access across the country. By making emergency contraception free and widely available, the NHS hopes to remove financial and logistical barriers that previously prevented timely use.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical questions or concerns.

Blood pressure medication recall: More than half a million bottles of blood pressure medicine have been recalled due to the presence of a potential cancer-causing chemical, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, issued a voluntary recall on October 7, 2025, for certain batches of prazosin hydrochloride capsules.

The FDA later classified the situation as a Class II risk on October 24, 2025, which means that use or exposure could cause temporary or medically reversible health issues, though the chance of serious harm is considered low.

Prazosin hydrochloride: FDA Recalls Blood Pressure Medicine

Teva Pharmaceuticals announced the voluntary recall after the FDA identified a potential impurity in some batches of prazosin hydrochloride. A Class II classification indicates that exposure to the affected medication could cause short-term or reversible health problems, but the likelihood of severe consequences is low.

Prazosin hydrochloride is an FDA-approved medication for treating high blood pressure, but it is also prescribed off-label to help people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) manage nightmares and sleep disturbances. The drug works by relaxing blood vessels, which helps lower blood pressure and improve blood flow.

Blood Pressure Medication Recall: What Chemical Impurity Caused the Blood Pressure Medication Recall?

The recall applies to three different dosage strengths that were distributed across the United States. The affected capsules were found to contain elevated levels of N-nitroso prazosin impurity, a nitrosamine compound that may increase the risk of cancer with prolonged exposure.

The FDA has stated that nitrosamine impurities like N-nitroso Prazosin impurity C can be harmful over time. However, because the recall falls under the Class II category, the potential for serious or long-term effects is low. In total, more than 580,000 bottles of prazosin hydrochloride are included in the recall. Patients currently taking the medicine for blood pressure or other conditions are advised to check their bottles, contact their pharmacist, and safely dispose of any affected medication.

Prazosin hydrochloride: Blood Pressure Recalled Products

According to USA Today, the recall involves the following:

• 1 mg capsules: 181,659 bottles (NDC 0093-4067-01 and 0093-4067-10), lot numbers 3010544A and 3010545A, with an expiry date of October 2025.
• 2 mg capsules: 291,512 bottles (NDC 0093-4068-01 and 0093-4068-10) across several lot numbers, expiring between October 2025 and July 2026.
• 5 mg capsules: 107,673 bottles (NDC 0093-4069-01, 0093-4069-52, and 0093-4069-05) across various lot numbers, with expiry dates extending into 2026.

Prazosin hydrochloride: What Should People Do With Recalled Medication?

Although neither Teva nor the FDA has issued specific instructions for patients, GoodRx advises those affected to verify their medication’s lot number, contact their pharmacist and prescribing doctor, and dispose of the recalled product safely.

Teva has started notifying customers by mail, and the recall process is ongoing. Patients with questions are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider or pharmacist to confirm whether their prescription is part of the recall and discuss suitable alternatives if needed.

Hong Thai Herb Inhaler Recalled: Sold at airport kiosks, roadside stalls, and trending online, Thailand’s go-to herbal inhaler, a popular everyday pick-me-up product has been pulled from the market after tests revealed unsafe microbial levels in certain batches. The recall follows a warning from Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which announced on Tuesday, October 28, that one batch of the product failed to meet microbial safety standards.

According to a three-page advisory, Batch ‘000332’ of the “Herbal Inhaler Formula 2” did not pass contamination checks. Thai Herbal Hong Thai Ltd., the company behind the inhaler, has recalled Lot 000332, about 200,000 units, after the FDA’s findings, as per The Independent.

Hong Thai Herb Inhaler Recalled

Thai Herbal Hong Thai, the maker of Hong Thai Herbal Inhaler Formula 2, has officially recalled Lot 000332 after Thailand’s FDA found microbial contamination that exceeded acceptable safety levels during routine testing. The affected batch includes 200,000 units.

Founder Mr. Teerapong Rabueathum explained that the contamination was limited to Lot 000332, which was produced on December 9, 2024, and set to expire on December 8, 2027. He clarified that all other batches remain safe for use and that reports of a full production or sales suspension were incorrect. The FDA notice, he said, only applies to the contaminated lot.

The company stated that microorganisms were found beyond the standard limits, though the FDA has yet to identify the bacterial strain or explain its specific health risks. Mr. Teerapong added that the company plans to meet with the FDA to review the test results and clarify technical details.

He mentioned that their in-house tests before the product’s registration had shown no issues. Hong Thai has begun recalling the affected batch from retailers, though only part of the stock could be retrieved since it was produced earlier.

What Is Hong Thai?

Known locally as yadom, these herbal inhalers are a staple across Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia. They are small, portable tubes filled with essential oils, menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus, often used to relieve nasal congestion, dizziness, or motion sickness. Over time, these inhalers have become household essentials and tourist favourites.

Their popularity grew even further after global celebrities such as BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth, and British rapper Central Cee were seen using them, helping the product gain traction among international audiences.

What To Do With Your Recalled Hong Thai?

Customers who have inhalers from the affected batch can return them to Hong Thai Panich, 434 Phutthamonthon Sai 2 Road, Bang Phai, Bang Khae, Bangkok 10160. Refunds can also be requested by contacting 02-803-1549, 081-252-3406, 092-740-5500, or 092-740-7700.

The company has said it has now upgraded its manufacturing process, adding new quality checks and ultraviolet (UV) sterilisation at multiple stages of production to ensure future batches meet safety and hygiene standards. “We sincerely apologise to our partners for the inconvenience and to our valued customers for any concern caused,” the company said in a statement. “We remain committed to maintaining your trust and thank you for your continued support.”