Caution,current colours can corrode

The Matunga resident is allergic to Holi colours,his skin breaking into blisters each time. “The colour irritates my skin and makes it itch. When I scratch,blood oozes out. Days after that,I have red blood patches on my face and body,” Rajani says.

Last year,Rajani remembers being caught unwittingly in Holi revelry and then,for days,following a prescription to use special shampoos and soaps. He observes: “Usually,oil paints and metallic paints are harmful- they scorch my skin the moment they touch it. But I have noticed that I’m allergic to even gulal.”

According to doctors and dermatologist across the city,cases like Rajani’s are frequent during Holi these days due to excessive use of abrasive colours and dyes in celebrations. Dr H R Jairajani,head of dermatology at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital,Sion,says,“In the old days,such cases were minimal because the colours available were natural or mild ones. However,today’s colours include paints and dyes,all of which have harsh chemicals. These colours are harmful to the skin,and an irritant reaction is inevitable.”

The reaction often shows after two or three hours,and is further aggravated by use of soaps,detergents and kerosene to remove the stubborn colours,she pointed out. Jairajani put red,yellow and black dyes in the especially hazardous category.

Dr Nina Madnani,a senior dermatologist at Hinduja Hospital,Mahim,says that aside from irritant reactions,dermatological problems are also common. “Usually,there are three causes for skin problems: an allergic contact with colours; an already existing atopic dermatitis which flares up due to use of colours or the subsequent washing and scrubbing to remove it; and thirdly abrasion due to metallic matter or fine glitter that sticks to the skin. Besides,many patients come with several superficial problems like persistence of stains on the skin and nails.”

None of these problems are life threatening,but Madnani says some allergies can cause infections and irritation for weeks. “However,in case of patients with existing dermatitis that has been treated,contact with Holi colours often causes the problem to recur,sometimes even leading to infection,” she adds.

According to Jairajani,treatment could be tricky spanning from mild first aid to serious oral medication. “In severe cases of skin and eye irritation,we have to administer weeks of oral medication and sometimes even steroids,” she says.