Holi: A Colourful Festival With Not Always a Colourful Consequence
Holi is coming close, India’s festival of colours that heralds spring and harvest--the season of hope and new beginnings in life. But for some it is a nation-wide paint fight without guns!!
From time immemorial man has been attracted to colours. Dry Holi colours known as 'Gulal' and wet colours or 'Rang' were originally prepared naturally from the flowers and vegetables. However with time, in the quest of more long-lasting and strong colours, chemical and artificial colours are being used. The harmful effects of these chemicals on our body and eyes have forced us to take it up seriously.
The eyes are extremely susceptible during Holi because of their strategic place in the body and also because of the use of harmful chemicals in colours these days. The synthetic colours used during Holi are known to cause eye irritation / allergies and even temporary blindness besides bronchial asthma and skin infections. Some of these colours have been shown to possess cancerous properties. Considering the toxicity of synthetic colours, some institutions and organizations have come forward to make people aware for the use of eco-friendly natural colours along with the resurrection of old traditional vegetable-based Holi colours. Hence, herbal ‘gulals’ are now commercially available in the market.
Some Helpful and Safety Tips:
- Ensure that your eyes remain protected at all times. Use sunglasses to protect your eyes from coloured water.
- Use a hat or cap to protect your hair from being coloured with strong chemical dyes.
- Apply a thick layer of coconut oil on your body and hair so that the colour doesn't stick and it can be washed off easily later. While washing off the colour, use lukewarm water and keep your eyes tightly closed.
- If you are travelling, keep the car windows tightly shut. Better still; avoid travelling on the day of playing colours.
- For children use non toxic colours
Patients with various symptoms have been reported from different hospitals every year after Holi.
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Leads to… |
What to do? |
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| Contact with eyes and skin |
Irritation of eyes & skin, pain, swelling, photophobia [sensitivity to light] |
Wash eyes with room temperature clean water. Remove contaminated clothing and wash exposed skin area thoroughly with soap and water. |
If symptoms persist, see a doctor. |
| Eye injury with a high-speed balloon / stone |
Severe injury, even rupturing the eyeball or causing a retinal detachment |
Do not attempt to clean the eye as the water may be contaminated and cause infection. |
Shut the eye and rush to the nearest hospital. |
Inhalation of the powders affects the respiratory tract |
Irritation, cough or difficulty in breathing, bronchitis |
Move patient to fresh air. Administer oxygen if possible and assist ventilation as required. |
If symptoms persist, see a doctor. |
Encourage and motivate your friends to play a safe Holi this year!
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