Air Pollution: Tips to take care of breathing issues, eyes and skincare — remedies, diet, precautions

Air Pollution: Delhi-NCR is covered in a dark smoke sheet. There are various factors to blame such as the burning of farm stubble, factory emissions, traffic fumes, and general weather patterns.

According to reports, the air quality in Delhi has already deteriorated ahead of Diwali. The scenario is the same almost every year. Especially the morning after Diwali, NCR residents wake up to a blanket of toxic smog and breathe in polluted air. Ahead of all the pollution-related health troubles, one must take adequate precautions. 
 
Precaution is always better than treating flared-up disorders, so here is what doctors suggest for eyes, skin and lungs.

Air pollution tips for Breathing

Dr Akshay Budhraja consultant pulmonologist Aakash healthcare said, “Firecrackers are made of several chemicals like sulfur, nitrate, manganese, charcoal and metal salts. Burning of firecrackers causes the release of many gases like NOX, CO, SO2, and Ozone and particles of various sizes like PM2.5, PM10, Ultrafine and even nanoparticles. PM2.5 stays in the air for a longer time and can reach the distal part of the airways which is harmful for the body. The effects are irritation of the eyes, nose, skin, sinus, and throat and flare of asthma, COPD, and Pneumonia. Inhalation of such particles causes more problems in children making them more prone to lung infection, asthma and overall poor development of the lung. The long-term effects due to chronic exposure to such particles include respiratory illness, cardiovascular abnormalities, decreased immunity, premature deaths and even cancer.”
 
He added, “During and post-Diwali there is always a significant rise in cases of pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, an acute attack of asthma, COPD and heart diseases. It is advisable to stay inside during the late hours of Diwali and post-Diwali nights, as the concentration of PM2.5 is predicted to be high for a few days. Also wearing a good mask will give protection from pollutants as well as different respiratory viruses that are circulating at present.”
 

 Air pollution tips for Eyecare

Dr. Indeevar V Mishra, Director and Chief Consultant at Bhala Netra Super Speciality Eye Hospital, Mumbai, “Excessive and regular contact with air pollutants can cause eye issues like dryness, redness, and irritation in the eye. It is important to wear protective eyeglasses or sunglasses, especially when we are commuting in an open vehicle, or have exposure to the harmful pollutants present in the air. Also, eye drops can be helpful against dryness, itchiness, infectious germs, and harmful pollutants. Another thing which is commonly observed is that people tend to rub their eyes as exposure to the pollutants present in the air causes a sensation of irritation. This should not be done as it can further enhance the irritation and cause a burning sensation in the eye.  

He further added, “It is always good to wash your eyes with water if such things happen. Apart from that, the inflammation caused to the eyes due to excessive exposure to pollution can be eased out with the help of cooling compressors. A general cool compressor such as a clean cloth soaked in cold water comes in handy when you need to get rid of the itchiness and inflammation of the eye. It is also vital to maintain a healthy diet rich in essential nutrients and Omega 3 fatty acids. Eat lots of green leafy vegetables, spinach, almonds, berries, fish, and carrots which are extremely good for the eyes. Moreover, if eye problems persist for a long time and the remedies do not seem to provide comfort to your eyes, then you must consult an ophthalmologist immediately.”
 
 

Air pollution tips for Skincare

Dr. Parmeshwar Kanade, MBBS DVD Consultant Dermatologist & Cosmetologist, ‘Since PM2.5 concentration reaches its peak post-Diwali, people need to take care of their skin and eyes. Avoid rubbing your eyes and face as much as possible as this may lead to infections in the eyes and sometimes cause acne on the face. Exfoliation of the skin is very important due to buildup of pollutants and makeup products. The skin gets dry and flaky due to the increase in pollutants by the firecrackers., to rejuvenate the skin, its hydration is necessary; drink plenty of water and frequently apply moisturizer as and when required. After Diwali festivities, give your skin a few days to breathe and do not apply any makeup. However, sunscreen should never be skipped whenever you step out. Since Diwali is the time when people ought to consume more sweets than usual, consuming a healthy diet afterwards would help eradicate the harmful effect.  

“Choose any one meal, breakfast, lunch, or dinner, where you will stick to low-calorie foods. In the meal, avoid fried and fatty foods, and go for leafy greens, yogurt, egg, or lentils. A good bowl of mixed vegetables and fruit salad will ensure healthy fibre. Drink a lot of water to restore hydration. Eight to ten glasses of water daily help you stay satiated and flush out toxins. Homemade fresh juices, nimbu pani, buttermilk, cucumber, mint or fruit-infused water are good options to bring varieties, he added. ”