Methaemoglobinaemia during Holi festival

Abstract

We report eight children who developed methaemoglobinaemia after exposure to contaminated colours used during Holi, a traditional festival celebrated in India. Methaemoglobinaemia can be life-threatening, but outcome is good if treated in time with intravenous methylene blue. Physicians might encounter such cases after exposure to Holi colours and hence should be aware of this life-threatening but easily treatable complication.

Cultural practice and dermatology: the “Holi ” dermatoses

“…Allergic rhinitis and asthma get exacerbated in many patients. Life‐threatening systemic complications like methemoglobinemia after exposure to contaminated colors used during Holi have recently been described 5 …”