Diwali 2025: Never Use Turmeric Or Toothpaste On Cracker Burns, Warn Doctors | Lifestyle News

Timely and appropriate first aid can often save lives and reduce skin damage. (News18)

Many people enjoy lighting fireworks during Diwali. However, a moment’s carelessness can be dangerous, and every year, hundreds suffer burns caused by fireworks. Fireworks contain various chemicals that can cause severe skin burns, and in some cases, these injuries can be very serious.

While many immediately apply toothpaste or turmeric to burns, doctors strongly advise against this. Instead of using toothpaste, turmeric, or potato on a burn, proper first aid should be administered to manage the injury.

Let’s hear from an expert on what to do if you sustain a burn injury during Diwali and what to avoid.

First Aid Advice For Burn Injuries

In an interview with News18, Dr Raman Sharma, a plastic and cosmetic surgeon at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi, said that if someone is burned by fireworks or lamps, the first step is to rinse the affected area with clean, cold water for at least 5 to 10 minutes. This helps to reduce the heat in the skin and can limit the severity of the wound.

Additionally, one should avoid touching the burn and always use clean hands when providing first aid.

After washing, it is essential to apply an antiseptic cream or burn ointment to the area to reduce the risk of infection and promote healing. If no burn cream is available, one can cover the wound with a clean cotton cloth.

It is advisable to seek medical attention at the nearest hospital as soon as possible.

Avoid Harmful Home Remedies

Dr Sharma warns that applying toothpaste or turmeric to burns can be harmful. Chemicals in toothpaste may react with the skin, worsening the injury, while turmeric can trap dirt in the wound, making it difficult to assess properly. Therefore, avoid these home remedies.

In cases of severe burns, carefully remove any burnt clothing to expose the skin to air, wash the area again, cover it with a clean cotton sheet or cloth, and take the injured person to a doctor immediately. Timely and appropriate first aid can often save lives and reduce skin damage. A little carelessness at this time can have serious consequences.

How To Prevent Burn Injuries During Diwali?

Experts also advise taking precautions to prevent burn injuries during Diwali.

1. It is best to wear well-fitting clothes, as loose or flowing garments can easily catch fire from earthen oil lamps or candles.
2. Women and children, in particular, should avoid synthetic fabrics. Wearing cotton clothing and exercising care when lighting candles or fireworks is essential.
3. Never allow children to handle fireworks unsupervised and ensure they wear long-sleeved clothing.
4. Elderly people should be kept away from crowded areas and places where fireworks are being lit.

Burn injuries are common during Diwali, but with a little caution, these accidents can be prevented.