Holi Health Risks: Holi is a festival of colors and happiness, but every year after this festival, cases increase in the emergency departments of hospitals in India. Dr. Dheeraj Bhaskaran Nair Senior Consultant – Emergency and Trauma Max Super Specialty Hospital, Vaishali It is said that most of the problems related to Holi are not due to bad luck but due to carelessness. If people use natural or safe colors, wear eye protection, drink enough water and contact a doctor immediately if needed, these risks can be significantly reduced.

Health problems occurring during Holi

Eye injuries- One of the most common problems during Holi. Mica, glass powder and dyes are added to many synthetic colors, which can cause severe irritation in the eyes. In such cases, doctors see problems like redness in the eyes, scratches on the cornea and sometimes temporary vision problems. If eyes are rubbed with dirty or colored hands, even a small problem can become serious.

Skin related problems- Colors containing some chemicals can increase allergies, irritation, acne or eczema on the skin. In many patients, problems like itching, swelling and blisters are seen on the face and neck. People who have sensitive skin or who already have allergies often do not take precautions. Applying oil on the skin and cleaning the colors quickly can reduce such problems.

Respiratory problems- Powdered colors can cause irritation by entering the respiratory tract. This may increase asthma or cause sudden difficulty in breathing. Sometimes even a mild cough can turn into a serious respiratory problem.

Alcohol related emergency- Drinking too much alcohol, lack of water in the body and hot weather can cause dizziness, vomiting and imbalance of minerals in the body. In the festive atmosphere, people often drink more than required and ignore the initial symptoms of illness.