9 hours Ago By Ashima Sharda Mahindra
It is the most anticipated time of the year, and apart from playing with colours, Holi also marks a significant shift in the change of seasons. Those who love playing use a variety of items like gulal, water guns, and even balloons. While it sounds like a fun way to celebrate the festival of colours, these balloons can be extremely dangerous.
“Water balloons do not appear to be dangerous, but they can lead to a variety of injuries, particularly when thrown forcefully or at vulnerable parts of the body, particularly when thrown forcefully,” Dr. Shovana Veshnavi, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, told Times Now. What are the hidden dangers of water balloons? Related News | Can Holi Colours Give You A Chronic Cough? Experts Issue Warning!What To Do If Holi Colours Get Into Your Eyes? Doctors Share Safety Tips To FollowWhile it does seem a good idea to just toss and hurl a colourful water balloon at an unsuspecting passerby, experts believe they can be extremely dangerous and hence should be avoided.
A few dangers include: Eye injuries The most frequent injury inflicted by water balloons at Holi is injury to the eyes. “When a water balloon strikes the face, it harms the fragile tissues of the eye. The force can result in corneal abrasions, leading to pain, reddening, and fogging of vision,” said Dr, Veshnavi.
According to experts, in a few serious cases, even the retina can get damaged, which results in permanent blindness. Young children and those who wear contact lenses are particularly susceptible to such injuries. Falling Related News | Holi 2024: Expert Shares How Colours Impact Your Skin, Hair, EyesWhile a lot of water and running are involved in Holi, water splashes also make the ground slippery and wet.
“This tends to lead to a high chance of slipping and falling, thus resulting in bruising, sprains, or even fractures. Barefooted individuals have more chances of slipping on such slippery grounds, ending up in avoidable injuries,” she added. Skin irritation and rashes Most of the colours mixed with water and filled in balloons are cheap, synthetic, and chemical-laden dyes that can cause skin irritation.
When you mix these colours with water, they result in rashes, itching, or redness. Some people also experience serious allergic reactions, particularly if they have sensitive skin. Also, repeated exposure to water tends to make the skin dry and vulnerable to deadly infection.
Head and neck injury Water balloons have the capability to inflict head and neck injuries. According to Dr. Veshnavi, if the balloon strikes the head with some energy, a concussion can result, which is characterized by headache, dizziness, and problems with memory.
“The whiplash effect, too, occurs due to the sudden impact, causing the neck muscles to be strained,” she said. Children and older persons are particularly prone to such injury, which in the long term can prove costly. Allergy There are individuals who are allergic to the chemicals in Holi colours or the materials used in water balloons.
Allergic reactions such as swelling, redness, itching, or even difficulty breathing may be caused by contact with these substances. In severe cases, people experience anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction that can be fatal and needs immediate medical care. Safety Precautions Although Holi play is a festive time, there should be safety measures to avoid getting injured.
Wear protective gear like goggles to prevent injury to the eyes. For children, wearing a helmet may prevent injury to their heads in case of any untoward fall. Instead of striking the face or head, target the lower half of the body to reduce the risk of injury.
Select organic and natural colours that are not made from harmful chemicals. Play in a safe location Be respectful of people's preferences, and try not to pop balloons on people who do not want to play..
