Ayurvedic Management of a Firecracker-Induced Paediatric Burn Injury with Early Rehabilitation: A Case Report

Abstract

Firecracker-related burns affect approximately 7 per 100,000 people annually in India, frequently resulting in deep partial-thickness injuries that risk pain, infection, contractures, lifelong functional disabilities, and scarring. This case study evaluates Ayurvedic management to prevent wound infection, promote healing, restore finger function through improved range of motion and grip strength, and minimize cosmetic/functional sequelae. Treatment commenced with guggul-sesame oil dressings for four days to leverage NF-κB inhibition for anti-inflammatory effects, antioxidants, and wound healing promotion, followed by desloughing on day 5 and yastimadhu-Jatyadi Taila dressings to enhance TGF-β-mediated epithelial migration and angiogenesis. Oral therapies included Mahamanjishthadi Kashaya and Sukshma Triphala alongside hepatoprotective, hematopoietic, and immunomodulatory agents for systemic support. Rehabilitation progressed from immobilization (days 1-4), early mobilization (days 7-10), to intensive loading (days 10-45), yielding negligible pain by day 5, infection-free healing by day 18, full range of motion/grip restoration by four weeks, re-pigmentation hit 95% by six months, and showed negligible post-burn complications.