From the FDA Drug Label
Prompt institution of appropriate regimens for care of the burned patient is of prime importance and includes the control of shock and pain. The burn wounds are then cleansed and debrided, silver sulfadiazine cream, USP 1% is then applied under sterile conditions. The appropriate treatment for firework-related injuries, specifically burns, involves:
- Control of shock and pain
- Cleansing and debridement of the burn wounds
- Application of silver sulfadiazine cream, USP 1% under sterile conditions
- Covering the burn areas with the cream at all times
- Reapplying the cream once to twice daily to a thickness of approximately one sixteenth of an inch
- Reapplying immediately after hydrotherapy Treatment with silver sulfadiazine cream, USP 1% should be continued until satisfactory healing has occurred or until the burn site is ready for grafting 1.
From the Research
The most appropriate treatment for firework-related injuries is immediate emergency medical attention for severe burns, blast injuries, and eye injuries, while minor burns can be managed with cool running water, mild soap, and antibiotic ointment, as evident from the study published in 2021 2. The treatment approach should prioritize the severity and type of injury, considering the potential for long-term morbidity and mortality.
- For minor burns, the following steps can be taken:
- Cool the area with cool running water for 10-15 minutes
- Clean gently with mild soap and water
- Apply an antibiotic ointment like bacitracin or neosporin
- Cover with a sterile non-stick bandage
- For pain management, acetaminophen (500-1000mg every 6 hours) or ibuprofen (400-600mg every 6-8 hours) can be used, as supported by general medical knowledge. More severe burns, especially those covering large areas or affecting the face, hands, feet, genitals, or major joints, require immediate emergency medical attention, as highlighted in the study published in 2020 3. Eye injuries should not be rubbed or touched; instead, rinse with clean water if there's a chemical exposure, but otherwise cover the eye loosely and seek immediate medical care, as reported in the study published in 1999 4. For embedded objects, never remove them yourself, as this could cause additional damage; instead, stabilize the object and get emergency help, as advised in the study published in 2019 5. Blast injuries causing hearing loss need prompt evaluation by a healthcare provider, and tetanus prophylaxis may be necessary if your vaccination is not current (within 5-10 years), as suggested by the study published in 2009 6. These injuries require prompt attention because burns can become infected, foreign bodies can cause further damage if not properly removed, and blast injuries can cause internal damage not immediately apparent, as emphasized in the study published in 2021 2.