Play it safe this Holi, use natural colours

No matter how tempting those shining reds, blues, greens, yellows and purples may seem, you should double check the quality of colours that you use this Holi to avoid skin allergies, eye irritation and a host of other health problems that may follow.

"Mild redness and irritation in the eye due to colours should usually go in a day or two. If it does not and the clarity of vision is also affected, then you should immediately see a doctor," said Dr Mahipal S Sachdev, chairman, Centre for Sight chain of eye hospitals.

Both wet and dry colours are harmful. Dry colours such as gulaal contain toxins like asbestos, silica, powdered glass or heavy metals that can cause asthma, skin diseases and can also affect the eyes. The wet colours mostly contain industrial dyes and harmful chemicals that are equally harmful.

"Use of synthetic colours can also cause irreversible pigmentation in some cases. One should go for homemade colours as they are as colourful as chemical-based colours, but do not have their harmful side effects," said Dr Amit Bangia, consultant dermatologist at Faridabad's Asian Institute of Medical Sciences.

Haldi mixed with flour gives yellow colour while petals of flowers of tesu or palash give saffron colour.

The beetroot pieces soaked in water give magenta colour.