It is must to safeguard your skin, eyes, ears and hair against infections triggered by chemicals used in colours. This Holi, give health top priority. Sangeeta Yadav tells you how
Experts say that during Holi, our eyes are extremely susceptible. Corneal opacity infections, inflammations, abrasions etc are some of the common complaints that a doctor receives after this festival. Many people suffer from eye allergies, temporary blindness and even conjunctivitis. Several colour powders used during Holi contain harmful chemicals, especially mica, which gives the glitter to the powders. These chemicals, if enter the eyes, can cause corneal abrasions. Even water balloons are very dangerous and if the water filled balloon hits the eye, the balloon could cause serious injuries like bleeding in the eyes etc.
Dr Raj Anand, senior eye specialist, Vasan Eye Care Hospital, says: “If colour enters the eyes, wash it with water till the irritation subsides and don’t scrub the cornea. Rush to an eye specialist if irritation persists.”
It is better to ditch the contact lenses, experts say. “While Holi colours cause irritability, lenses have a tendency to absorb the colour, thereby making things worse. Wear glasses and keep wiping them clean from time to time,” Dr Karuna Malhotra from Cosmetic Skin and Homeo Clinic, advises.
People also tend to neglect their ears during this festival and come up with problems like ear blockage, internal pain and swelling. Dr Rajeev Nangia, ENT surgeon, Nova Specialty Surgery, says, “if the synthetic colour water enters your ears, nose or throat it can cause rashes and itching. So, it is advisable that people take precautions and rinse immediately.”
SKIN & Hair
Most Holi colours sold in the market are oxidised metals or industrial dyes mixed with engine oil. Green comes from copper sulphate, purple is chromium iodide, silver is aluminum bromide, black is lead oxide and shiny colours are result of powdered glass being added to the colors. All these are toxic and can result in anything from skin allergies, eye irritation, blindness and much more. When washed, they enter the rivers and the soil and increase pollution,” Dr Ajaya Kashyap, chief surgeon in Cosmetic & Plastic from Fortis Hospital, says. He explians: while lead oxide (black) leads to renal failure and learning disability, copper sulphate (green) leads to eye allergy and temporary blindness. Chromium Iodide (purple) leads to bronchial asthma while aluminium bromide (silver) leads to carcinogenic. Mercury sulphite (red) leads to skin cancer.
Individuals with a sensitive skin are at the risk of developing allergies upon contact with colours and dyes are quite high. Keep drinking as much as water you can to re-hydrate your skin.
According to Dr Malhotra from Cosmetic Skin and Homeo Clinic, “one should apply waterproof sunscreen lotion of SPF 30 or more. Wear clothes that cover most of your body. Cover your head with a thick scarf or bandana”.
It is always a good thing to prepare in advance. “The night before Holi, take a head massage with a mixture of jojoba and rosemary oil. This will provide hair with ample nutrition which gets dry due to the colours. If you have a sensitive scalp, add a few drops of lemon juice to avoid any infection,” Dr Blossom Kochhar, chairperson, Blossom Kochhar Beauty Products Pvt ltd, concludes.
Post Holi Precautions
For hair, take 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 4 tablespoons of honey and a few drops of lemon juice. Mix them well and apply it to all over your hair. leave it on for half an hour and rinse it off with mild shampoo and warm water.
For skin, before taking bath mix gram flour, almond oil, milk cream in rose water. Make it into a thick paste and apply it on the areas having colour. Keep it till the paste is dry. Remove it by rubbing with hands.
Add a bowl of curd in 2 tablespoons of lime juice, and apply it on the areas having colour. Then take a bath with normal or lukewarm water.
Avoid using kerosene, petrol and spirits to remove stains. Never ever rub your skin vigorously with soap etc. Avoid bleaching, waxing or facial for a week before and after Holi.
During your bath, clip your nails. Moisturise your skin after washing yourself. Put some rose water in your eye and take rest.