Protecting Eyes, Skin From Pollution And Firecracker Residue: Expert Tips

The festival season lights up our streets and homes, but it also fills the air with chemicals, fine dust from fireworks, and smoke. While we celebrate and enjoy the festivals, the increase in air pollution can abruptly have a greater impact on the more sensitive areas of our body, including our skin and eyes. What starts off as light itchiness, redness, or dryness can easily become constant discomfort if we fail to take basic precautions.

When fireworks pop, they release tiny particles and heavy metals, which remain in the atmosphere long after the firework display has completed.

Particles combine with air pollutants and form a thick layer of smog that settles on our face, arms and eyes. While the skin is designed to act as a barrier, it becomes congested and inflamed from this residue.

Festive eyecare and skincare guide

 People with dry or sensitive skin might experience even more itching, rashes, or breakouts at this time. The skin surrounding the eyes is especially sensitive and thus more susceptible to pollution and smoke.

The eyes tend to be the first to respond. Chemical and dust particles can adhere to the tear film that covers the surface of the eye, causing a sensation of burning, redness, dryness, or watering.

Contact lens wearers are likely to experience more discomfort because impurities can affect the eyes and the lens. Children and older persons could also be irritated more easily since their natural resistance tends to be weaker.

A few easy habits reduce the exposure. When one frequently washes the face and hands with water, most debris and dirt are washed off, and the skin is cleaner. It is much better to wash with a very mild soap, which does not entirely strip the skin of its natural oil.

Applying a light moisturiser before going outdoors creates a substrate for the skin to avoid contact with offseason debris and helps reduce and even lessen the contact of chaff, every time the person returns to wash their hands, while aiding the skin's health as contaminants subside.

For the eyes, moisture must be maintained. Eye drops that lubricate the eyes (without preservatives) might lessen irritation and keep the eyes lubricated whenever an irritant is present, by flushing out the irritant.

Protective glasses or clear shields are also helpful when going outdoors or burning firecrackers, as they could prevent contaminants from directly irritating the eyes. Rubbing your itchy eyes, however, is never suggested as it could irritate or cause an infection on contact.

Timing also matters. Venturing out during the busiest times for firecracker bursting tends to result in greater pollution exposure. Whenever possible, celebrating earlier in the evening and being indoors at late-night times can help.

Closing windows while pollution is at its worst and employing air purifiers or exhaust fans indoors can clean up the air for breathing.

Festivals should be enjoyed with cheer, not distress. A few considerate steps can maintain the sheen while safeguarding the eyes and skin against the damaging impact of festive pollution.

With little but regular attention, one can have a happy time the whole season through without the smoke and grime sapping the merriment.

by Dr Amit Saraf, Director, Internal Medicine, Jupiter Hospital, Thane. Views expressed are the author's own.