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Sinar Daily
a day ago
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Don't wait until it's too late: Burn care essentials every home needs
BURNS can happen in an instant, a splash of hot oil, a brush against the iron, or even scalding water from the kettle. While many households are equipped with the basics like band-aids and antiseptic cream, burn-specific first aid items are often overlooked. Yet, when it comes to burn injuries, immediate and proper care can make a significant difference in recovery, pain management, and preventing long-term scarring. If you're still reaching for ice cubes or toothpaste (seriously, skip those), it's time to give your home first aid kit a much-needed upgrade. Here's a checklist of essential burn care items that every household should have, but probably doesn't. Hydrogel dressings These cooling dressings are specifically designed for burns. They not only relieve pain by reducing skin temperature but also keep the wound moist, which is crucial for healing. Unlike ice, which can damage the skin further, hydrogel dressings provide immediate comfort and are safe to apply directly onto minor burns. Sterile cling film (plastic wrap) It may surprise you, but cling film is often recommended by medical professionals to loosely cover a burn after cooling it with water. It helps protect the wound from infection without sticking to the skin. Always use a clean, non-perfumed variety, and only apply it once the burn has been rinsed thoroughly under cool running water for at least 20 minutes. Image for illustrative purposes only. - 123RF Thermometer Burn injuries can sometimes lead to infection, which may cause a fever. A reliable thermometer helps you keep track of any unexpected temperature changes, especially in children. If fever or increased pain and swelling develops, it's time to see a doctor. Non-adhesive sterile dressings Burns can be extremely sensitive, and regular sticky plasters are not ideal. Non-adhesive dressings are designed to protect wounds without sticking to them, which prevents further skin damage during dressing changes. They're a gentle yet effective option for covering healing burns. Saline solution Sterile saline is useful for flushing out burns, especially if debris or chemicals are involved. While water is generally the go-to, having saline on hand can be helpful in situations where tap water isn't available or clean. Image for illustrative purposes only. - Photo via Pinterest, edited in Canva Disposable gloves Infection is a major risk for open wounds, and burns are particularly vulnerable. Wearing disposable gloves while treating a burn helps maintain hygiene, especially if you're applying gels, changing dressings, or handling broken skin. Tweezers (sterilised) Useful for removing any debris gently from a minor burn or for handling small items like dressings and bandages without direct contact. Just be sure they're clean and stored in a sealed container. Pain relief medication (Paracetamol or Ibuprofen) Even small burns can be surprisingly painful. Over-the-counter pain relievers help manage discomfort and reduce inflammation. Always follow the dosage instructions and consult a pharmacist or doctor if unsure. Image for illustrative purposes only. - CANVA Emergency contact list In case of a serious burn, time is critical. Keep a printed list of emergency numbers, including your nearest clinic, hospital, and poison control or medical hotline, especially if children are in the home. Bonus tip: What NOT to use While it might be tempting to reach for butter, toothpaste, or ice, these are outdated remedies that can make things worse. Ice can damage the skin further, while household products may trap heat or introduce bacteria. Stick to cool running water and the items above. Burn injuries can range from minor kitchen mishaps to more serious accidents, and having the right items on hand can be a literal lifesaver. A well-stocked burn first aid kit ensures you're not scrambling in panic during an emergency. So take this checklist, give your kit a quick audit, and stock up on what's missing. Because when it comes to burns, preparation is key, and healing starts within the first few minutes.
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Health
- NZ Herald
I was diagnosed with ADHD after my husband died. He never knew the real me
"Managing grief and ADHD together is its own kind of emotional juggling act." Photo / 123RF Stacey Heale says her ADHD diagnosis felt like being handed the key to a door she hadn't known existed. It also exacerbated the profound grief she experienced after losing her husband. Any couple who has been together for a long time will tell you there are certain arguments that
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Financial complaint numbers at historically high levels
The Financial Services Complaints Limited received 1469 complaints in the year to June 30. Photo / 123RF Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech. The Financial Services Complaints Limited received 1469 complaints in the year to June 30. Photo / 123RF Financial complaint numbers remain at historically high numbers and show no sign of easing, the Financial Ombudsman says. New annual figures show the complaints service received 1469 complaints in the year to June 30, up from 1426 the previous year. 'We're not yet seeing signs of complaints reducing since increasing rapidly two years ago in the wake of Covid-19,' said Financial Ombudsman Susan Taylor. 'What's changed is the spread. Complaints are now more evenly distributed across a broader range of financial services, rather than being concentrated in just a few areas like non-bank lenders.' Lenders accounted for the largest share of complaints at 38%, though many were resolved before escalating to a dispute needing formal investigation.
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Health
- NZ Herald
As a gastroenterologist, here's what I eat in a day to boost my gut health
So I'm going to walk you through a typical weekday of food for me, offering two options for meals and snacks. (Keep in mind that these fibre estimates can vary depending on the kinds and sizes of the specific foods you choose.) As you formulate your own plan, remember that eating a variety of fibre sources – colourful fruits and vegetables, nuts, beans and whole grains – is the best path to a healthy microbiome and overall wellbeing. And choose wisely: Watermelon and iceberg lettuce are cool and hydrating but have hardly any fibre, so try pairing them with higher-fibre fruits and vegetables such as kiwis and peas. Look up the nutrition facts of foods you eat regularly and see where you can optimise the math, such as by adding hummus to your favourite sandwich. I also use fibre supplements every day: I mix psyllium husk powder into my coffee – and if I'm making pancakes for the family on the weekend, I mix one or two tablespoons of ground flax seeds and ½ cup of rolled oats into the batch. No one notices, and it's a no-brainer way to boost your fibre intake. Breakfast I like making overnight oats that I can grab on my way out the door and eat at work. But I don't always remember to prepare them the night before. On those days, I eat a high-fibre cereal (I buy ones with less than 5g to 6g of added sugar). I use oat milk mainly because it stays fresh in the fridge longer than cow's milk, so it's one less thing I have to deal with mentally. High-fibre cereal is a good breakfast option. Photo / 123RF Bowl of cereal: 8g of fibre - 1 cup high-fibre cereal: 6g - 1 cup oat milk: 2g Overnight oats. Photo / 123RF Overnight oats: 8.5g of fibre - Half a cup rolled oats: 4.5g - 1 cup oat milk: 2g - Quarter cup dried cranberries: 2g Lunch I tend to eat Indian food that I've cooked for dinners earlier in the week and saved the leftovers for myself. That means lentils, which are loaded with fibre, or saag paneer, which also packs a punch from the spinach. The yumminess of lentils cooked with an appropriately deeply browned onion is very underappreciated. Try my favourite recipe from Madhur Jaffrey for moong dal. Other days, I buy my favourite spicy cashew crispy rice salad. Brown rice is a good source of fibre. Photo / 123RF Lentils and brown rice: 7g of fibre - ½ cup cooked lentils: 5g - ½ cup cooked brown rice: 2g Snack I don't keep chips or crackers in my office – just a big container of roasted cashews. I make it easy for myself because I do genuinely love cashews and not having another option available makes it the only choice if I feel hungry. Coffee and cashews. Photo / 123rf Coffee and cashews: 11g of fibre - 1 cup brewed coffee with 2 teaspoons psyllium husk powder: 9g - ½ cup cashews: 2g Dinner Dinner with my toddlers has to be quick, easy and something we're all going to enjoy because my husband and I don't have time to make everyone separate meals. Luckily, everyone loves pasta. Some days, we use whole wheat or lentil pasta – but not always. Assuming we're just going with refined wheat pasta, here's how the fibre math breaks down for my family favourites. Spaghetti and Chicken Meatballs. Photo / 123RF Spaghetti and chicken meatballs: 8.5g of fibre. - 1 cup refined wheat spaghetti: 2.5g - ½ cup marinara sauce: 2g - Chicken meatballs: 0g - ½ cup peas: 4g One-skillet gnocchi and Brussels sprouts: 5.5g of fibre - 1 cup gnocchi: 2g - 1 cup Brussels sprouts: 3.5g Dessert After dinner, we have a tradition where my toddlers use tiny cookie cutters to make fun shapes out of fruit. Usually it's kiwis (which as a gastroenterologist, I'm obsessed with for many reasons) or pears (they use a bear-shaped cookie cutter, and we call them 'bear pears'). Kiwifruit are a great high-fibre fruit. Photo / 123RF - 2 kiwis: 6g - 1 pear: 6g This adds up to around 40G-42g of fibre a day. Even if I skip the occasional extra like psyllium, a snack or dessert – or eat white rice instead of brown rice – I still clock in well above my target of 25g per day. What I want my patients to know Suddenly ramping up fibre intake when you're not used to it can sometimes cause an upset stomach or bloating. Go gently and give your body time to adapt – but stick with it! The long-term payoff for your health is worth it.
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Former Auckland accountant Howard Taylor gets community detention for $94k Covid loan fraud
Former Auckland accountant Howard Kane Taylor has been sentenced for fraudulently receiving almost $95,000 in Covid support. Photo / 123RF Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech. Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen. Former Auckland accountant Howard Taylor gets community detention for $94k Covid loan fraud Former Auckland accountant Howard Kane Taylor has been sentenced for fraudulently receiving almost $95,000 in Covid support. Photo / 123RF A former Auckland chartered accountant has been given community detention after fraudulently pocketing almost $95,000 through the Small Business Cashflow loan scheme. Howard Kane Taylor was sentenced in the Auckland District Court last week after admitting eight charges earlier this year, days before his trial was due to start. Between May 28, 2020, and June 29, 2020, Taylor made eight Small Business Cashflow (SBC) loan applications each requesting an amount of $11,800 for various businesses totalling $94,400. The scheme was introduced in April 2020 to help small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. But Inland Revenue began an investigation in August 2020 and found none of the money was paid into the accounts of the companies Taylor had made applications for.
