Tips to ward-off Summer Allergies

It’s that time of the year when watery splashes and powdered colors seem to be a common sighting across the country. Holi is a fun filled festival but can sometimes be accompanied with grief and anxiety especially if you ignore safety measures. Chemically treated colors that have flooded the market these days pose the biggest threat to human health.

Did you know…?

Traditionally Holi was played with vegetable colors but these days most kinds of water colors & pastes contain toxic compounds (used in the base of engine oils) that can easily trigger acute skin allergies as well as temporary blindness. Such colors are not just dangerous to our health but also harmful to the environment. Water runoff containing toxic chemicals enters the soil and rivers, thereby leaving a detrimental impact on our ecosystem.

Lack of knowledge and information about synthetic colors is one of the prime reasons that initiate health related issues post Holi. This year, make sure you celebrate Holi, the safe way. Here are a few precautionary measures that can prevent you from putting your health at risk:

• Buy good quality organic/natural colors that are made from herbal & vegetable extracts. With artificial colors available in abundance during this time of the year, it can sometimes be very difficult to differentiate between natural & synthetic colors. Safe colors are duly certified by relevant authorities and carry all product information clearly on the product packaging. The best option would be to purchase Holi colors from trusted sources and reliable vendors. Red & Pink come off easily as compared to Green, Orange or Purple which are gaudy colors and contain harsh chemicals.
• Be careful from water balloons. They can cause serious injuries to the eyes and ears, especially when struck without warning. Several incidents are reported every year during Holi, whereby people travelling in buses and trains lose their vision or hearing ability due to an injury caused by water balloons.
• Apply a generous proportion of Skin cream, Vaseline or Mustard/Olive/Coconut oil to the exposed areas of your skin before and after playing Holi. It acts as a protective shield and guards the skin to some extent from the damaging effects of synthetic colors. Do not forget to apply a good quality moisturizer to your face before stepping out
• Get a relaxing head massage with a good quality hair oil. Oiling your hair prevents the colors from sticking on to the strands which reduces hair damage. Apart from this precautionary measure, it would also be a good idea to cover up your hair with a scarf, cap, hat or bandana just to offer extra protection from colors that contain hard-to-rinse dyes. Avoid keeping your hair open while playing with colors.
• Facial skin and eyes are extremely sensitive to powdered colors and chemical based Holi colors. Try to save your face as much as you can from synthetic colors and if possible keep washing your face with water multiple times. Sunglasses not only add to your style quotient but more importantly offer optimum protection to your eyes.
• Single or double coating of transparent nail polish can save your nails from being damaged
• Go slow on the consumption of Bhang and avoid overindulgence of food
• Drink plenty of water to replenish the skin which tends to dehydrate and become dry after coming in contact with the toxins used in artificial colors
• For removing these colors it is best to use a mild cleanser as compared to soaps which can trigger dryness or skin irritation

And last but not the least – Save water. Wasteful use of water is a common sighting during Holi. Very rarely do we think about the fact that even today multiple cities in India face acute water scarcity. Although water could provide some relief from the scorching heat, try your best to minimize its usage, out of sheer consideration for people residing in areas that constantly face water shortage.

H1N1 influenza is a contagious acute respiratory disease caused by a virus. Spread of infection is through airborne route. The common symptoms consist of Fever, Cough, Cold, Sore throat, Body ache, Headache, Chills & Fatigue.

Testing facility is available at Kasturba Hospital, Haffkine Institute and SRL private lab.

Govt criteria for Treatment and investigation for H1N1 cases to be followed:

Not many are familiar with the term ‘Lifestyle disease’. The simplest description of this term would be – a disease that is caused due to the health-damaging choices that we make in our day-to-day life.

It is estimated that worldwide, approximately 14.2 million people between the age of 30 to 70 die every year due to Lifestyle diseases. Cardio-vascular diseases, diabetes, sleep -disorders, stress obesity and some forms of cancers can be listed under the section of Lifestyle diseases. These tips will help you cut down the risk:

Tip 1 – A wholesome diet is absolutely essential for your health & wellbeing. You have to acknowledge the fact that good health is all about taking charge and doing what’s right for your body.

• Eat more of green veggies, fresh fruits, calcium & fiber rich foods
• Switch to whole grain/multi grain flour.
• Reduce your portion size and eat at regular intervals (every 2 hours)
• Eliminate or at least try to limit the consumption of oily food
• Replace junk food with healthy snacks
• Drink plenty of water

Tip 2 – It is essential to strike a perfect balance between food and physical activity. In order to keep your immune system active and functioning properly, an adult should participate in some or the other form of physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes – 5 days a week. Walking is considered as the best and safest form of exercise for people of all ages. It not only helps you burn calories but also improves your strength, stamina and endurance. Besides this, there are many more ways through which you can incorporate exercise in your daily routine

• Take the stairs instead of lift & elevators
• Walk from the bus stop to your home/office
• Take your dog out for a walk daily
• Do household chores for at least 30 minutes daily
• If you have kids at home, play with them and burn some calories
• Always take a short walk after your meals

Tip 3 – Any kind of addiction, whether it is of alcohol, nicotine or any other form of drug, can ruin your health in the worst way possible.

Did you know…?

1/3rd of deaths caused by heart diseases can be avoided merely by staying away from cigarettes & alcohol. Both, alcohol and nicotine are known to cause severe damage to the blood vessels which automatically doubles the risk of atherosclerosis and blood clotting. By giving up these health damaging habits, you will not only be able to keep lifestyle diseases at bay but also develop higher energy levels, younger looking skin and improved lung capacity.

Tip 4 – Make sure you keep a close watch on your body weight. Extra weight especially near the tummy has been linked with cardiovascular deaths. People who are obese & overweight are also at risk for many more serious health conditions like sleep apnea, diabetes and cancer. Manage your weight by eating low-calorie, fat-free food and incorporate some form of workout in your daily routine.

Tip 5 – Anything in excess is bad for health. High intake of Sugar, Salt, & Oil can lead to serious repercussions in the form of diabetes, blood pressure and heart problems (due to high cholesterol). Cut down the usage of these 3 ingredients in your food

Tip 6 –Take good care of your body – it’s the only place you live in. Periodic health check-ups can offer a thorough analysis of your current health status. Moreover, it also helps in early diagnosis and timely treatment of any kind of illness. Schedule an appointment for a comprehensive health check-up once in every 6 months.

Take charge of your health before it’s too late. Book any of these Executive Healthcare Packages offered at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/manage/shop/

Amongst all seasons, winter is the most awaited & enjoyable period of the year but this is also the time when illnesses, infections & allergies are at their peak. Fever, runny nose, itchy/red/ watery eyes, sneezing, wheezing and sore throat are very common during misty weather. If you think that you’ll be safe by staying indoors, then you are sadly mistaken. Many indoor allergens like mould, house dust mites, animal dander and perfumes are known to trigger allergies that can easily have a negative impact on your health. Seasonal pollens that permeate the air (when temperature drops) are largely responsible for most people falling sick in winter. It’s absolutely impossible to protect ourselves from coming in contact with these pollens. What we can do is, build a strong immune system by making the right food choices (seasonal fruits &vegetables, milk and protein rich food) in winter. Apart from this, there are a few precautionary measures that could also protect you from winter allergies:

• During winter, most people keep their doors & windows shut in order to avoid cold winds but doing so allows the indoor air pollutants to swirl around our homes and become twice as concentrated. We hear a lot of coughing & sneezing in many households and a chilly weather is not the only one to be blamed for it – allergens are too.
• Keep your home clean, hygienic & dirt-free. Wash all bed sheets, pillow covers, table cloths etc. at least once a week in order to keep dust mites away. If you are allergic to dust, wear a mask or cover your nose with a clean cloth while dusting, cleaning and/or vacuuming. This will decrease your exposure to dust and other airborne pollutants. Sufficient ventilation within your home can also prevent growth of moulds
• If you have pets at home, vacuum the furniture, carpet and floor on a daily basis. Give them a bath at least once a week. It is best not to allow them to climb on the bed.
• If you are using a room heater, make sure to replace its furnace filter so as to In order to improve the indoor air quality
• Do not smoke indoors especially if there is no ventilation within the room. Remember, being in close proximity of smokers can easily aggravate coughing and breathing problems in those who are sensitive to winter allergies. Sometimes, Agarbatti smoke can also act as a trigger. It is best to maintain a minimum level of humidity in your home. You can prevent growth of dust mites with the help of a humidifier and dehumidifier
• Get rid of mold spores. They are basically fungus that normally dwells in damp and humid places like bathrooms and kitchen sink. Keep a close watch to check if there is any kind of mold breeding in different spots within your home
• Regardless of the season, extreme exposure to sun rays is always harmful to your skin. Rashes and skin allergies are common during winter too. Ward off the harmful effects of UV rays by using a good quality sunscreen before stepping outdoors.
• Eat the right food. Green tea is known to have an excellent impact on health when consumed in winter. Similarly, certain foods like cucumber, ice-cream, bananas, cheese, yoghurt etc. have a reputation of causing an allergic reaction in many, especially for those suffering from asthma problem. Food items that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants protect your immune system and keep you away from allergies. Also keep yourself adequately hydrated and take plenty of rest.

No matter what season it is, you must never ignore allergies. If you have suddenly developed dark circles under the eyes, runny nose, constant sneezing, itchy & watery eyes, it could be an allergic reaction. Schedule at check-up at your nearest medical facility and start the treatment at the earliest.

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital offers a broad range of services including diagnosis, treatment and management of all kinds of illnesses. To know more, visit: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com