Pregnant women have reduced immunity levels and are, therefore, more susceptible to illnesses and infections, and their skin is more sensitive as well. Therefore, reaction to colours that one may have played with before is not uncommon.
To avoid harm, doctors recommend playing with colours made at home. The caution also applies to new moms who are still breastfeeding their children. "Chemical colours are made of synthetic, industrial dyes or oxidised metals which can be dangerous and have harmful health effects on the baby through breast milk. Some colours are even carcinogenic. So lactating mothers should practise same caution as pregnant women," Kapur said.
Homemade colours, doctors recommend, can be made by using turmeric, roli (sindoor), boiled beetroot and onions. Tradition, if it must be followed, can be respected by placing a sandalwood or saffron tika on the baby's forehead.
Apart from caution with colours, doctors also listed a few guidelines to keep off harm during the festival.
