Play Safe

Dr Vikas Bhutani
Synthetic colours at hand,dry,water and pastes,can be hazardous to health. The hazard increases if these are used after mixing with oil as then these easily sneak into the body systems through the skin.” Dry colours or gulal as these are commonly called,contain a number of toxic chemicals or heavy metals which have harmful affects on the skin. Lead is the most dangerous of all heavy metals found in Holi colours and can affect the nervous system,kidneys and reproductive system. Among children,it can affect the physical and mental growth and hence delay development. In case of pregnant women,it can result in premature birth,low birth weight,miscarriage or abortion. Other health hazards due to exposure to heavy metals include skin allergies,dermatitis,drying and chapping of skin and even skin cancer,rhinitis,asthma,and pneumonia,metabolic disorder of bones and nervous system disorders.

Gentian violet,the most widely used colours concentrate in water colours,can cause skin discoloration,dermatitis,irritation of mucous membranes and lead to ‘keratoconjunctivitis’ and dark purple staining of cornea. Holi pastes contain toxic chemicals such as lead oxide,copper sulphate,etc. that can have severe health affects such as renal failure,eye allergies,contact dermatitis and skin cancer.

On the other hand,organic colours are safe and can easily be made at home. You can use haldi mixed with flour for dry yellow colour,boiled and soaked petals of pomegranate for yellow colour,beetroot pieces soaked in water for magenta,petals of flowers of semul/tesu for saffron,lime mixed with haldi for a deep red and henna powder mixed with flour for mehndi colour.

Holi Ho!

The writer is Consultant,Internal Medicine,Fortis Hospital,Mohali

* If a colour comes in contact with the eye,immediately wash it with a lot of water and in case irritation persists,medical aid must be sought immediately.

* Don’t apply oil over the body before playing Holi,as it eases the penetration of colours into the body system.

* Don’t use synthetic colours. Instead,use organic or home-made colours

* Use a hat or a cap to protect your hair from being coloured with hard-to-rinse dyes.

* Use dental caps to protect your teeth from staining.

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* Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful chemicals of colours.

* Wear full-sleeved T-shirts and leggings that cover your legs fully to protect your skin from the harmful affects of colours.

* Try to save yourself from all possible attacks on the face. In case such attempts fail,keep your eyes and lips tightly shut.