Holi 2024: Harmful side effects of Holi colours

Holi, the festival of colours, will be celebrated on March 25 this year

Happy Holi, everyone. It is that time of the year when the air smells of gujiya and happiness. And we all scream for thandai. That’s what the festival of colours is all about. We love playing with colours, spreading happiness with every splash and smear. From gulal to water balloons, the excitement of Holi brings us together, creating unforgettable moments of fun and laughter. However, certain synthetic colours may contain chemicals that can cause skin irritations or allergies.

Here are some of the harmful side effects of Holi colours:

Skin Irritation: Some Holi colours may contain chemicals and heavy metals that can cause skin irritation, redness, or rashes, particularly for individuals with sensitive skin.

Allergic Reactions: Harsh chemicals in synthetic colours may trigger allergic reactions, leading to itching, swelling, or more severe allergic responses in some people.

Eye Irritation: Accidental contact with Holi colours, especially those containing harmful substances, can cause eye irritation, redness, or, in extreme cases, damage to the eyes.

Respiratory Issues: Inhaling airborne particles from dry or aerosolized colours may lead to respiratory discomfort, particularly for people with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

Hair Damage: Certain colours can be challenging to wash out of hair, causing damage, dryness, and discoloration. It may take several washes to completely remove colour from the hair.

Toxic Chemicals: Some synthetic colours may contain toxic chemicals like lead, mercury, or asbestos, posing potential health risks upon skin contact or ingestion.

Dr Amit Bangia, Associate Director of Dermatology at Asian Hospital Faridabad, sheds light on the harmful effects of Holi colours. “The market is flooded with a variety of colours - paste, dry and watercolours. Rather, industrial dyes being cheap and bright are widely used to make them. However, these can have detrimental effects on humans as they were never meant for playing Holi," he told India Today.

Dr Bangia also raised concerns about dry colours, like gulaal, which often contains toxic heavy metals such as lead and mercury, causing skin allergies and scalp issues.