Happy And Safe Diwali: How Smoke From Firecrackers Puts Children's Vision At Risk
Diwali is the time of the year when our nation’s children are on holiday and festivities are rampant. Sadly this fun time for children is also when firecrackers and fireworks are available in plenty. The word “firecrackers” evokes quite a bit of emotion and is often associated with great joy but one must realize that the chemical smoke and gases released from firecrackers can be regarded as a serious concern for the capacity of eyes for children.
It is shocking to know that mothers and fathers have been using firecrackers for this long despite it being scientifically proven to be a pollutant and one that can heavily damage children’s eyesight.
But now, as a parent, most people see things differently—firecracker smoke, while dazzling, risks young eyes and health. From choosing eco-friendly lights and indoor activities, ensuring a festive, safe celebration for your children’s well-being is important and necessary. Dr. Neeraj Sanduja, MBBS, MS - Ophthalmology, Ophthalmologist, Eye Surgeon shares all about the toxic effects of smoke from the firecrackers kids so lovingly enjoy bursting and how harmful they can be for their eyes.
The smoke from firecrackers is a blend of toxic chemicals and fine particles, each carrying potential harm for the delicate tissues of the eyes. Here are some key pollutants present in firecracker smoke that pose specific dangers:
Particulate matter: These are the fumes exhaled from burning that are extremely small but can infiltrate deep into the lungs and eyes creating lesions and scars.
Sulfur dioxide & nitrogen oxides: These gasses emit acid rain, it's easy to comprehend how detrimental it is to the human body.
Heavy metals: If consumed through the skin lead arsenic or any other toxic metals emitted through firecrackers will inflict great damage.
Exposure to firecracker smoke can cause a range of immediate symptoms in children, as well as chronic eye problems that may not become apparent until much later. Children are at high risk of developing some symptoms upon exposure to firecracker smoke, and these include:
Red eye syndrome: Clinical eye examinations show that the eyes can be red and watery, as well as itchy due to the smoke's chemicals.
Eye pain: Another common complaint in children is a burning and stinging sensation in the eye areas.
Intolerance to light: The burning of firecrackers leads to the emission of smoke that can irritate the eyes and increase their sensitivity.
Corneal damage: Severe inflammation of the outer layer of the eyeball caused by exposure to smoke may be a more damaging injury caused than previously mentioned damages of the inner layer.
While some eye issues may appear right after exposure, others may develop subtly and manifest over time, resulting in chronic eye conditions. Dr Neeraj exclaims, "Of great concern is the fact that parents may not notice these initial signs and the signs that are causes are others since these are only some of the diseases that are dangerous but children who continuously come into contact with air polluted by firecrackers may consider the following risks:
Parents can observe the following measures to shield their children's eyes from the harmful effects of firecracker smoke:
Avoid exposure: In the first place, the best way to avoid damaging children’s eyes is to prevent any contact with firecracker smoke. Encourage children to remain in the house or in well-ventilated areas during a firework display.
Wear protective eyewear: In the event that children have to go outside during a firework display, they should wear protective eyewear such as goggles or sunglasses.
Rinse eyes thoroughly: In case of exposure of firework smoke to the child’s eyes, the affected eyes should be washed with plenty of clean water.
Seek medical attention: If a child suffers from intense pain in the eyes, redness in the eyes or any changes in vision after exposure to cracker smoke, he/she should be taken to a medical facility as soon as possible.
1. Educate Children on Firecracker Safety
2. Monitor Air Quality Index (AQI)
3. Plan Indoor Activities During Peak Pollution Hours
4. Encourage Healthy Eye Habits (Regular Exams, Hygiene)
1. Eco-Friendly Firecrackers
2. Laser Light Shows
3. Community Events (Parades, Festivals)
4. Indoor Games and Activities
5. Environmentally Conscious Celebrations
Firecrackers undoubtedly liven up the festivities; however, the use of firecrackers and their impact on the health of children has caused a lot of concern, especially their vision. It has become crucial to protect young developing eyes from fire cracker pollution which is harmful to them, especially in the long run. In this manner, we are able to assist in the preservation of our children’s eyesight and create safe and happy festive occasions for everyone.
Patients need to move away from the idea of a “pill for every ill” to that of “diagnosis before dose”. (Photo credit: AI generated)
The concept of self-medication in the case of a trivial ailment such as a headache or a small cut is generally considered responsible self-care. Nevertheless, it becomes a matter of public health concern when the process goes through two particular stages. The first of these stages is the “masking of chronic disease." When one uses over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to cover up symptoms of fatigue, acidity, or thirst, he or she ends up masking the symptoms of underlying chronic diseases, which could be type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure, for instance. By the time these symptoms are diagnosed, the condition may have caused irreparable damage to organs. Another health problem created due to self-medication is antimicrobial resistance, which poses a danger not only to the individual but also to society as a whole.
Dr Vimal Pahuja, MD, Associate Director, Internal Medicine & Metabolic Physician, Diabetes & Weight Management Clinic, Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, Mumbai, said, “The most serious complications include those that have no immediate effects and do not trigger pain signals. DILI is a growing concern in India and is a consequence of the persistent abuse of painkillers (NSAIDs) or even some of the herbal supplements available in the market. In the same way, ‘kidney compromise’ results from prolonged consumption of analgesics. Looking at things from the viewpoint of the endocrine system, the frequent consumption of over-the-counter steroids, which are also included in some ‘miracle’ skin creams and supplements, can affect hormones and lead to the development of secondary diabetes.”
Internet searches usually generate confirmation bias, where patients only seek answers that align with what they want to hear. Health-related social media sites and influencers tend to oversimplify medical issues by encouraging bio-hacking. This results in unsafe practices, such as people prescribing themselves advanced metabolic and hormonal treatments without being aware of the contraindications or the need for clinical testing.
Dr Kirti Sabnis, Infectious Diseases Specialist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund & Kalyan, Mumbai, said, “With the growing emphasis on early and accessible diagnosis, more individuals are becoming proactive about understanding their symptoms and lab reports. This has led to a noticeable rise in what clinicians often refer to as ‘Google diagnosis,' where patients arrive with self-researched conclusions based on online information or AI-enabled report analyses.”
The expert went on to say that interpreting symptoms and investigations is rarely straightforward. Fever, for instance, is merely a symptom and can stem from a wide range of causes, from infections to non-infectious conditions such as thyroid disorders. While digital tools and AI platforms can analyse reports and suggest possible conditions, they typically rely on common algorithm-based differentials. In some cases, this may lead to alarming or misleading possibilities such as tuberculosis or even cancer, when the underlying issue could be far less serious.
Accurate diagnosis requires more than data interpretation; it demands clinical expertise, physical examination, and years of medical experience to connect symptoms, history, and test results. Over-reliance on online searches can sometimes lead to unnecessary anxiety, delayed diagnosis, or even self-medication, which may complicate the condition further.
The importance of taking time to explain the reasoning behind prescribed medication is essential, especially when informing a patient that an antibiotic cannot cure their flu.
Excessive sweating and tight clothing combined can lead to skin infections. (Photo credit: AI generated)
When it comes to heatwave-like conditions, most people worry about the risk of dehydration and sunburn. But it turns out that the scorching heat could also take a toll on your skin—according to experts, extreme summer heat can increase the risk of skin infections. Heatwave-related skin infections can be triggered by high humidity, sweat, and bacteria trapped on the skin. Some of the other issues associated with heatwaves are folliculitis, heat rash, impetigo, and yeast infections.
Talking about it, Dr. Gitika Sanodia, Consultant Dermatologist at Dr. L H Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, answered some FAQs associated with heatwaves and consequent skin infections.
The expert said that when there is an increase in temperature, there is an increase in sweating, dehydration, and breakdown of the skin barrier, which creates an environment suitable for infection development, mainly in children, the elderly, diabetics, and obese individuals. Heatwaves also cause friction, which leads to skin infections. As a result, rashes can develop and cause a great deal of discomfort.
During summer, because of the heat, one ends up sweating far more than normal, and if you are someone who often wears tight clothes, it can be even worse. Overproduction of sweat keeps the skin constantly wet. Such an environment provides perfect conditions for bacteria and fungi to multiply. Being trapped under breast tissue, between the thighs, and in folds around the neck and armpits causes conditions such as yeast infections or folliculitis.
During a heatwave, some skin infections are likely to develop silently. These include:
At a time when temperatures are rising constantly, heatwave-related infections are likely to affect certain groups more than others. These high-risk groups are:
In order to prevent heatwave-related skin infections, you need not make major changes to your lifestyle or wardrobe. Rather, some simple, cost-free methods can also do the trick. Here are some expert-recommended tips to beat the heat:
With the increasing number of heatwaves, these problems have become more than just seasonal. However, with the right choices in terms of diet, lifestyle, and clothing, you may be able to avoid skin infections during a heatwave.
Create: AI generated image
Persistent back pain in young adults is often dismissed as poor posture, long hours at a desk, or muscle strain. But doctors are warning that in some cases, it could be a sign of ankylosing spondylitis — a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects the spine and can silently progress for years before diagnosis.
In India, 16.5 lakh people suffer from the condition, with an average diagnostic gap of nearly seven years from the time symptoms first appear. During that window, the disease continues to silently progress, and the burden is far from small.
“Ankylosing Spondylitis is one of the most underdiagnosed conditions we encounter in clinical practice, and the consequences of that delay are real,” Dr. Arvind Mehra, Senior Director and HOD - Orthopaedics at Paras Health Gurugram, told HealthandMe.
Moreover, “It takes several years of pain and stiffness before people seek treatment, and by then, the diagnosis comes too late, and there has already been damage to the spine,” added Dr. Ashish Tomar, Director - Orthopaedics & Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad.
Ankylosing spondylitis, also known as axial spondyloarthritis, is a type of arthritis that primarily targets the spine but can also affect other joints. The term “ankylosing” means stiff or rigid, “spondyl” refers to the spine, and “itis” indicates inflammation.
The inflammatory disease causes some of the bones in the spine to fuse over time. This fusing not only makes the spine less flexible but can also cause issues while breathing.
Ankylosing spondylitis leads to inflammation in the spine and large joints, causing stiffness and pain. It can also impact the joint between the spine and the hipbone, potentially resulting in additional symptoms such as digestive issues, rashes, and weight loss.
What makes ankylosing spondylitis difficult to spot is that it often feels like ordinary back pain — but there are warning signs that set it apart.
According to experts, ankylosing spondylitis-related pain typically:
This pattern is very different from mechanical back pain, which usually worsens with movement and improves with rest.
Dr. Tomar told HealthandMe that ankylosing spondylitis is not simply a musculoskeletal problem — it is an autoimmune disease, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, particularly around the spine and joints.
“Ankylosing spondylitis is not just another musculoskeletal disease. It requires the attention given to autoimmune disorders because it may affect the chest, hips, shoulders, and even the eyes, while also causing severe posture problems in advanced stages,” he said.
Beyond the spine, the disease may affect:
Who Is At Most Risk? How To Treat?
Young adults, typically in their twenties, are more likely to experience this condition because people often overlook its existence or mistakenly identify it as something else.
The combination of early diagnosis, structured physiotherapy, and suitable medications allows for effective disease progression control.
“When a young adult presents with inflammatory back pain, especially in the gluteal area, that persists beyond three months, the reflex should not be to prescribe a painkiller and wait. It should be investigated further. That shift in approach can make an extraordinary difference to someone’s long-term quality of life,” Dr. Tomar said.
Common treatments for ankylosing spondylitis include:
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