Doctors warn vaping devices can cause severe burn injuries as cases rise
Summary
Doctors are raising awareness about a frequently overlooked danger of vaping: severe burn injuries. While lung damage is a primary concern, burn specialists like Dr. Ludwik Branski at Shriners Children’s Texas are seeing an increase in patients with burns caused by exploding or igniting vape devices. These devices contain powerful lithium-ion batteries that can fail unexpectedly, acting “like a blowtorch” and causing deep, devastating burns, often in the groin or upper leg area. The American Burn Association has issued warnings, highlighting the seriousness of these incidents. Risk factors include cheaply made devices, counterfeit batteries, improper charging, and exposure to heat. Experts recommend using only the provided charger, avoiding overcharging, storing devices safely, and being cautious of damaged batteries to reduce the risk of burns. They emphasize treating vaping devices as powerful electronics and understanding the dangers of their batteries, while continuing to advise against vaping altogether.
(Source:Click2houston)