“Health Bytes” on Holi

Dr Vanita Mittal

Emergency Physician

Medical Director – Delhi

Urgent Care Centre

मुठ्ठी में भरकर रंग चले हैं, आज सारे गालों पर कैनवस धरे हैं, कोई गुलाब है, कोई सहेली,इंतज़ार में है, कोई युवती अकेली,

सतरंगी हिलोर में बहकते चले हैं, तन कहकहों से भीगते चले हैं, वहाँ मेरे अपने, कितने रंगों में रसें हैं, हाँ हम गुलाली बादलों के प्यासे हैं,

मेरे दोस्तों, हम भी बनावेंगे टोली, मेरे संग आओ, मनावेंगे होली |- डॉ. विवेक शर्मा

The colors & flavors of Holi are in the air again. Children are on the roads with water filled pichkaris and balloons splashing every passerby with colors of the season. A festival which is a favorite amongst kids and youth also brings lines of worry on parent’s faces. Are the colors used safe? Will they harm my child’s skin? What about slips, trips and falls during the Holi excitement? Every year a large number of people visit Emergency rooms for some or the other festivity related health problems during Holi time. Most common problems are allergic reactions to colors, asthmatic attacks, skin and eye problems, injuries due to slips & falls, road traffic accidents due to drunken driving, Bhaang intoxication, gastro – intestinal problems due to water or food borne infections. Urgent Care believes prevention is better than cure and thus we bring you some “Health Bytes” on Holi to help prevent these problems and tips on what to do in case any thing does happen.

Prepare yourself for playing holi –

• Choose clothes which cover most of your body parts

• Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly or oil over your skin before going out to play. This helps to protect the skin from the damage caused by harsh chemicals and also helps the color to come off quickly.

• Apply oil to your hair also as it helps contradict the dyeing nature of certain holi colors and protects them from damage. If possible, cover your hair with a cap or a hat in order to protect them.

• Do not wear contact lenses when you are playing with colors. This is because color can come between your eye and lens, resulting in infection and in some cases, eye damage. Glasses can help protect your eyes from color.

• Coat your finger nails and toes with paint so that they remain protected.

• Get natural, herbal and skin-friendly products as too much of harsh chemicals used in the holi colours can be a major cause of itching. You can prepare colors at home from natural products like flowers, henna etc

While playing Holi -

• Respect other person’s independence on Holi. Do not force anyone to play with colors if they do not wish to do so.

• Do not rub colors too vigorously on anyone’s face – it can lead to skin damage.

• Be careful and avoid eyes and mouth when applying color. Keep your eyes and mouth tightly shut when someone is applying color on you.

• Avoid running on wet floors as one can slip and get injured.

• Do not use mud, grease, eggs or gutter water on Holi.

• Do not drink and drive. If you plan to have alcohol, ensure somebody else is driving.

• It is a traditional practice to consume Bhang on Holi. When consumed in large quantities Bhang can lead to effects like increased blood pressure and heart rate, psychosis. Never consume it on an empty stomach and do not mix it with alcohol

What to do in case of a problem?

• If you face any kind of trouble as soon as the colour comes into contact with your skin, wash the colour off immediately with water and apply a soothing calamine lotion. If the problem persists immediately seek medical help.

• Itching, redness, swelling, breathing difficulty are signs of a significant allergic reaction. Immediately report to nearest medical facility. You may need an injectable medication for your allergy. Urgent Care Centres are open 24×7 in your neighborhood.

• If you slip and fall check for injuries. In case of swelling, pain, inability to move a limb, apply an Ice pack locally and report to the nearest medical facility. You may have a fracture or soft tissue injury.

• If color goes into your eyes, wash with plenty of water immediately. If problem persists seek medical help.

• If someone falls from height or meets with a road traffic accident immediately call ambulance from nearest source. Call 1800 208 1188 if you are near an Urgent Care Centre, one of the Best Hospitals in Delhi. Moving such a victim yourself can aggravate spinal injuries.

• If you are a known asthmatic or suffer from severe dust allergy, it is advisable not to venture out to play Holi with colors, especially the dry variety. Keep you inhaler with you in case you go out. If you have an asthmatic attack immediately use your inhaler. If not relieved immediately report to nearest medical facility. Urgent care centres are equipped to deal with all asthmatic emergencies.

• If someone has consumed large quantity of Bhang and is complaining of palpitations, severe headache or is having uncontrollable abnormal behavior, seek medical attention. Urgent care centre in your neighborhood can help evaluate and manage Bhaang intoxication

Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, good harvest & is a time of enjoying spring’s abundant colors and saying farewell to winter. So don’t stay away from colors, just be color smart….play safe!! In case of any health problem Urgent Care is just round the corner to take care….at all times. We are the first response centre – aapke liye!!

Have a fun filled, healthy and safe Holi!!