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 Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently banned the sale, distribution, and use of several fairness creams after dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals, including lead and mercury, were found in the products.

About The Case

Among the products, one named Goree Beauty Cream is of Pakistani origin. The product was reportedly being sold unlawfully in the state.

The FDA labelled the products “Not of Standard Quality” (NSQ), warning consumers against using them as prolonged exposure to heavy metals present in the products can lead to serious health complications associated with skin, kidneys as well as the nervous system.

According to the Maharashtra FDA, the following cosmetic products have been declared unsafe:

1. Goree Beauty Cream
2. Face Fresh Gold
3. Golden Star Beauty Cream

Officials also noted that the products lacked mandatory information like the manufacturer's complete details, batch number, manufacturing date, and expiry date, raising concerns over their authenticity and safety.

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What Happens When One Gets Exposed To Lead And Mercury?

If used repeatedly, these toxic substances may be absorbed through the skin, allowing them to accumulate in the body over time.

Excessive exposure to mercury can cause:

• Kidney damage

• Tremors and muscle weakness

• Numbness or tingling sensations

• Memory problems and difficulty concentrating

• Mood changes and irritability

• Skin rashes and discoloration

• Harm to unborn babies during pregnancy

The risk increases with prolonged use, particularly when the products are used on a daily basis over months or years.

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On the other hand, lead exposure can cause:

• Damage to the nervous system

• High blood pressure

• Kidney dysfunction

• Fertility problems

• Developmental delays in children

• Pregnancy complications

Even if lead accumulates in the body in small amounts, its repeated use may pose long-term health risks.

Why Are Lead And Mercury Found In Fairness Creams?

Sometimes, mercury is illegally added to skin-lightening products as it suppresses melanin production, temporarily making the skin appear lighter. However, this skin-lightening effect comes at the cost of significant health risks.

Lead may contaminate cosmetic products through poor-quality raw materials or unsafe manufacturing processes. Neither ingredient should be intentionally present in cosmetic creams sold for routine use.

International health agencies have repeatedly warned against skin-lightening creams containing mercury.

In June 2026, the US FDA again cautioned consumers not to use over-the-counter skin-lightening products found to contain mercury or hydroquinone because of the risk of kidney injury, neurological damage, and permanent skin problems.

The Maharashtra FDA's crackdown highlights the hidden dangers of unregulated and illegal fairness creams that contain harmful ingredients.

While these products may promise lighter skin, the presence of toxic heavy metals such as mercury and lead can expose users to potentially irreversible health damage. Consumers are advised to read the labels carefully before purchasing any skincare products that promise complexion-altering effects.

Usually, the most telling symptoms of Alzheimer's disease surface in old age. With no cure and limited ways to detect it early, it is challenging to treat and manage Alzheimer's. However, a recent study says that a new blood test can help in diagnosing Alzheimer's early.

New Blood Test May Predict Alzheimer's Symptoms Early

A new blood test that measures tiny loops of genetic material in the bloodstream may be able to predict when Alzheimer's disease symptoms are likely to appear, offering hope for earlier intervention of the neurodegenerative disease and more effective clinical trials.

A study funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that a specific group of blood-based biomarkers known as circular RNAs could help identify people who are on the brink of developing Alzheimer's symptoms, even before memory loss or cognitive decline becomes apparent.

An Improvement On Current Blood Tests

The current blood tests for Alzheimer's have been made after significant progress in recent years, particularly by detecting proteins linked to amyloid plaques, one of the disease's primary characteristics features.

However, these tests may present positive results for many years, even decades, before symptoms like declining memory and thinking appear. It makes it difficult for doctors to predict when the disease will actually begin affecting the patient’s quality of life.

The newly developed blood test could fill that existing gap. Scientists found that elevated levels of a set of 34 circular RNAs in blood were strongly associated with future symptoms of the onset.

According to the study, those with higher circRNA levels were nearly three times more likely to develop Alzheimer's symptoms compared with those with lower levels.

The changes appeared approximately two to four years before symptoms emerged, making them a valuable diagnostic test for predicting disease progression.

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How Can This Blood Test Help?

Improve Clinical Testing

The discovery could transform existing Alzheimer's research by helping scientists identify participants who are most likely to develop symptoms during a clinical trial.

Finding out when symptoms are likely to begin would allow researchers to introduce preventive therapies at the stage when they are most likely to be effective and better evaluate whether experimental treatments can delay cognitive decline.

Less Invasive Alternative

The current methods to assess Alzheimer's include PET brain scans, which are expensive and not widely available. Lumbar punctures (spinal taps), an invasive method, is also used.

Compared to the existing methods to screen Alzheimer's, a blood test is easier to perform, less invasive, more affordable and more accessible, especially if validated for widespread clinical use.

Earlier Planning For Patients And Families

If doctors can ascertain the symptoms early, patients and their families can, patients’ families can plan future care and support. They can use the time to make financial and legal decisions while the person is still cognitively healthy. Patients can also adopt lifestyle changes that may help maintain brain health.

Researchers however stressed that the new circRNA test is still in the research stage and requires further validation in larger and more diverse populations before it can be adopted in clinical practice.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global medical product alert after identifying falsified batches of the cancer medicine DARZALEX (daratumumab). It also issued a warning that the counterfeit products could cause serious health risks to patients and disrupt the treatment process.

WHO Warns Against Fake Cancer Drugs

The WHO issued an alert against the circulation of falsified DARZALEX (daratumumab). The incident came to light in May and June 2026. According to the WHO, the falsified injections were found in the Maldives and Mexico after being supplied by unauthorised distributors.

In at least one reported case, hospitals received fake medication, prompting international concern over gaps in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

About The Cancer Medicine

DARZALEX (daratumumab) is an antibody that is used to treat multiple myeloma, cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow, as well as amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis, a rare blood disorder.

The drug plays a crucial role in the treatment of various types of cancer. That is why the WHO said that the circulation of its compromised version could cause delayed therapy, treatment failure, and potentially life-threatening consequences.

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WHO Identified The Counterfeit Batch Numbers

WHO said the fake products deliberately misrepresent their identity, composition, or source. The manufacturer, Janssen, confirmed that the batch numbers MYS7381 and STV1K01 are not valid, and any DARZALEX product bearing these batch numbers should be considered falsified and must not be used.

The Maldives Food and Drug Authority also reported visible particulate matter inside vials from one of the counterfeit batches.

The UN health agency has urged national regulatory health bodies, healthcare providers, wholesalers, and distributors to strengthen security across the pharmaceutical supply chains to prevent the infiltration of counterfeits.

It also advised countries to closely monitor unregulated pharmaceutical markets, where counterfeit medicines are more likely to circulate.

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WHO issued precautionary measures to avoid purchasing falsified medications:

• Healthcare professionals should report suspected falsified products, unexpected side effects, or lack of therapeutic effects to their national regulatory authorities and health and disease bodies.

• WHO has advised patients and caregivers to obtain medicines only from licensed pharmacies and authorised healthcare providers.

• Patients must also inspect packaging carefully and seek medical advice if they notice any unusual appearance or suspect their medication may not be genuine.

• The global health organisation stressed that people should not use any product suspected to be falsified and should report it to health authorities immediately.

Falsified Drugs Are A Growing Global Threat

The latest warning adds to a growing list of WHO medical product alerts involving counterfeit cancer medicines.

In recent years, the WHO has issued alerts for various falsified cancer drugs including IMFINZI (durvalumab), IBRANCE (palbociclib) and DEFITELIO (defibrotide), highlighting the growing threat of counterfeit medicines that could disrupt life-saving treatment courses.

The WHO estimates that more than one in ten medical products in underdeveloped and developed countries are either substandard or falsified, making poor-quality medicines one of the world's major public health challenges.