Artificial colours can trigger asthma attack: Experts

Holi is no different for people suffering from asthma as the disease could also present a serious threat if basic rules and cautions are ignored. Playing with colours during the festival, ignoring cautionary measures could make the respiratory problem more severe in asthma patients.

The colours used in Holi could act as a trigger and therefore even patients who have asthma well under control are advised to avoid such triggers. “Artificial colours, especially dry colours, used for playing Holi contain toxic chemicals and kerosene that can trigger the asthma attack,” Dr Shubhranshu Gupta, Asthma, and allergy specialist at Narayana Hospital said. “As a precautionary measure against complications that arise during the festival, asthmatics are advised to check with the expert for medicinal dosage. Generally, a slight increase in medication and intake of zinc supplements is recommended for asthmatics by experts for boosting immunity,” he added.Actually, on Holi, the risk of attacks in people with asthma increases right before a day from the celebration of colours when Holi Dahan is performed. The bonfire generates a lot of smoke and dispersing ashes in the air. The big bonfires keeps burning the entire night giving an opportunity for more and more smoke particles to …read more