Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, March 20
Markets are flooded with various kinds of colours to celebrate the festival Holi that falls tomorrow. Earlier, the festival was celebrated to mark the commencement of Spring using colours made from flowers. But over the years, colours made with chemicals and harmful substances have replaced the flowers. Harmful substances, such as mica, glass powder and acid, that are used to prepare Holi colours, can cause severe harm to your skin or hair.
Doctors from various health institutions have asked the residents to be cautious while celebrating the festival as these chemical-based colours can cause severe harm.
Experts from the department of dermatology, DMCH, including Dr Sunil Kumar Gupta, Professor and Head; Dr Sukhjot Kaur, Associate Professor; Dr Vidushi Malhotra and Dr Jaspriya, both Assistant Professors, say one must be cautious and take the following measures on Holi.
Preventive steps
Don’t drive under influence of ‘bhang’
Another risk involved with Holi is riding bikes or driving cars under the influence of ‘bhang’. Though rash driving in itself is very dangerous, when a person drives a vehicle after consuming ‘bhang’ or any other intoxicant, it can prove fatal.
Dr Ranjive Mahajan, Professor and Head; Dr Navkiran Mahajan, Professor, from department of psychiatry, DMCH, say no matter how you used ‘bhang’ or cannabis-infused Indian drinks, it could cause immediate and long-term adverse effects on your mental health, including anxiety and panic disorders. Sometimes, the effect is so severe that it takes a user a number of days to get back to the normal routine, says Dr Mahajan.
A piece of advice for parents
Another expert, Dr Sundeep Kaur, said for children, parents must make sure that:
Useful tips for women
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