Play with natural colours

With the spring festival of Holi round the corner, doctors warn that toxic chemicals in colours could cause skin or eye infection.

“Celebration of Holi is meaningless without colours. But if the colours contain harmful chemical compounds such as oxides, metal, glass particles and substances used as a base in textile dyes, they can be extremely dangerous,” says Anup Dhir, chief cosmetic surgeon, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.

Doctors say chemical colours have solvents such as tetrathyline, lead, benzene and aromatic compounds that can lead to dry skin. Dark colours like red, black and green have a high content of mercury sulphite, lead oxide and copper sulphate, which can cause skin cancer.

“You may also develop rashes and allergy, hair could turn brittle and dry if not washed immediately,” Dhir said.

The week that follows Holi typically sees a spurt in certain medical conditions like rashes and allergies.

“Many tend to use greasy colours and dyes. The reaction to such chemicals usually occurs two to three hours after coming in contact with them,” said D Tula, consultant plastic surgeon at B L K Hospital.