Bhubaneswar, Sep 21 - Hundreds of women complained of itchy and swollen palms and hands in three northern Orissa districts Monday after applying mehndi (henna) on their hands to celebrate the Eid festival, health officials said.

The henna decoration proved costly for the women and girls, mostly from the Muslim community, in the districts of Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj.

Over 200 women and girls from Ramachandrapur, Bont, Kazimohalla and Malatira villages in the district of Bhadrak complained of itching palms a few hours after they applied mehndi.

The hospital at Bont village treated more than 400 women and girls, hospital sources said.

'They all were complaining of itching, swelling in the palm and hands and reddening skin. We immediately sent a medical team comprising eight doctors to the hospital and provided treatment to the women,' Bhadrak's Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Bhagaban Dixit told IANS.

'While most of them have been discharged, seven women and three children have been hospitalized in the districts,' he said.

'Attending doctors have been asked to visit the villages and collect the mehndi samples. Medicines and oral rehydration solution packets have been distributed in the villages,' he said.