Surma and Kajal for Babies: Lead, Eye Infections and Safer Swaps (Video)

Transcript

Surma & Kajal for Babies

Grandparents love to put a tiny silver dot on a newborn’s eyes, thinking it will keep them bright and protected. The love is real, but the powder often hides a hidden danger.

At a glance

Traditional surma can contain high levels of lead sulphide. Babies take it in more readily, rub their eyes, and even swallow it. Shared sticks or fingers can spread conjunctivitis and other infections.

What’s actually in surma

The name ‘surma’ covers many products. Some are finely ground galena, a lead ore, sold as a metallic-shining powder applied with a stick. Others use antimony, which is also a concern. Branded kajal pencils from reputable cosmetic makers usually rely on carbon black or iron oxides, and homemade kajal made from lamp soot is mostly carbon. You can’t tell the difference by looking alone.

How lead reaches the body

A tiny amount of lead can be absorbed through the delicate eye lining, but most gets in when babies rub their eyes and then put their hands in their mouths. Tears carry particles down the tear duct into the nose and throat, and daily use adds up, allowing lead to build up over months.

Lead in a baby is usually silent until it isn’t, which is why the test matters more than the symptoms.

Eye infections and other risks

When a surma stick is shared and dipped back into the pot after each use, it becomes a perfect conduit for conjunctivitis and other eye infections. Fingers, towels, and even the stick itself can pass microbes. Applying powder on the inner waterline can block tiny oil glands, leading to styes. Newborns often have partially blocked tear ducts, making the eye sticky; powder only makes it worse. And there’s no evidence that any surma improves eyesight or makes eyes bigger.

Safer ways to keep the custom

The safest approach is to keep everything out of and along the baby’s eyes. If the family wants a nazar mark, a tiny dot about three to four millimetres across can be placed on the skin behind the ear. Choose a labelled cosmetic eye pencil from a known brand that lists full ingredients, rather than loose powder. Wipe the dot off with a damp cotton pad at bath time and wash your hands afterward.

Traditional view

In Unani and folk practice, kohl was valued for cooling the eyes, protecting them from sun and dust, and adding beauty. Men and women in desert regions lined their eyes against glare. The protective instinct is real, but the chemistry of old recipes didn’t know about lead’s harm, and today we do.

For adults who love their kajal

If you enjoy kajal as an adult, pick a regulated eye pencil or liner from a reputable brand that provides a full ingredient list. Avoid loose powdered surma, especially the traditional types. Never share eye products or test them on your eye in a shop. Replace pencils and liners about three months, and discard them after any eye infection. Remove eye make-up before sleep with a gentle cotton pad and a little plain oil or a proper remover.

When to see a doctor

Seek medical help right away if a baby or child shows fits, unusual drowsiness, repeated vomiting, or collapses, especially if lead exposure is possible. Book a paediatrician for ongoing tummy pain, constipation, pallor, poor appetite, pica or delayed development, and mention any surma use. For a red, sticky, swollen or painful eye in a newborn, see a doctor promptly rather than trying home drops. Adults with a painful red eye, blurred vision or light sensitivity should see an eye doctor the same day.

Myth: surma cools the eyes

The cool sensation comes from the metal stick and fine powder, not from any benefit to the eye. Sight depends on the shape of the eye, the lens and the retina, none of which surma can affect. If a child squints or holds books close, what they need is an eye test, not a stronger surma. Adults with diabetes should remember why a yearly retina exam matters.

Take care

For the full story, visit thecareonline.com, and remember this video is for general information only, not a substitute for professional medical advice.