Holi is one of the most colourful and vibrant festivals of India. And while the bhang and gujiyas, the singing and dancing, the mischief and drenching in colours are great fun, the aftermath can sometimes be unpleasant, with some people left suffering from skin rashes, eye allergies and discoloration of hair.
Holi colours were traditionally made from herbs and spring flowers; in fact, such colours actually had some therapeutic value. However, chemicals and industrial dyes, some of them toxic, slowly replaced flowers and herbs. These can cause some serious damage to skin, and discoloration, dermatitis, abrasion, irritation, itching, rashes, eczema and dryness are some of the common reactions reported by dermatologists post-Holi.