Representative Image: A man shows his hand, which was stamped by a doctor advising home quarantine in Mumbai. In Nagaland some returnees, who were stamped the quarantine insignia, have complained of skin ‘infection’ as a result. (Reuters / Prashant Waydande File Photo)
Doc says some can get skin allergy from ink
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 28
After food, the gun has now trained on the ‘seal’ embossed on returnees after completing the mandatory 14 days institutional quarantine onward to home quarantine. Some returnees, who were stamped the quarantine insignia, have complained of skin “infection” as a result.
On Sunday, images, purported to have been posted by returnees in home quarantine, started circulating on social media displaying dark blistered skin and burns on the arms where the seal was stamped. The cause was attributed to the ink used, based on news reports about a similar case Goa had in May.
While fear of the authorities using substandard material was palpable, medical professionals however disagreed claiming that the same indelible ink used on election day is being used for applying the seal.
“This is the same ink used on polling day. We have been asked to use this ink, which is issued only by the district administration. As for us, we cannot decide, it is upon the government to decide,” said one doctor in the District Task Force.
The doctor though added, “It is not uncommon for some people to develop allergic reaction on the skin (to certain substances),” which can be controlled and cured with over the counter ointments and anti-allergy pills. He also reminded that this is not the first case as there was one case before.
A senior state Health Department official, meanwhile, informed that there were two cases of “minor (allergic) reaction” reported today from Dimapur and accordingly a medical advisory was issued by the district Chief Medical Officer. The advisory contained information on how to respond to “skin allergy” and phone numbers of two dermatologists at the District COVID-19 Hospital.
“Reports did the rounds but no one specifically came forward officially,” he said.
