Give your skin a fighting chance this Diwali

Author:
Dr. Shreeshail Kumbar
MBBS, DDVL – Dermatology

Diwali is the biggest and brightest festival in India. It’s a festival of joy with fireworks as a significant part of it.

Diwali is a five days festival with bursting of crackers, as a result of which pollution levels in air increase to very high levels leading to aggravation of certain allergic health conditions, skin being the commonest organ to react to such pollution.

Smoke from fireworks combustion may contain a mixture of sulphur – coal compounds , traces of heavy metals like potassium, aluminium and copper. There will be increase in Residual Particulate matter (RPM) and Suspended Particulate matter (SPM). These heavy metals and other toxic chemicals or gases such as ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide stay in air for 3-5 days post festival. All these pollutants will lead to skin irritation and contact dermatitis (especially aluminium and arsenic compounds), troublesome especially those with allergic skin.

So one can prepare adequately before Diwali to avoid skin issues.

1. Moisturise your skin adequately twice or thrice a day especially Aloevera based moisturisers.
   Hydration- Its very important to hydrate your self with at least 8-10 glasses of water per day.

2. People with acne prone skin should wash there face with ideal cleanser for pimple prone skin, avoid oily and fried stuff.

3. Cotton clothing is better.

First aid for any skin problems.

1. Skin irritation. In case of skin irritation due to contact with crackers,wash that area with cold water and apply moisturiser like Aloevera gels, and consult dermatologist for further care.
2. In case of burn, immediately run the burn area under cool water for ten minutes. Remove any jewellery or clothing from affected area (if easily removable). Then contact your nearest medical aid centre.

Hope this will help you all to enjoy the festival of lights. HAPPY DIWALI!!