-- Information shared from : timeswellness.com, by Dr Parul R Sheth --
Along with the fun and rain, monsoon brings along with a hoard of health problems as well. Read on to know how one can prevent these problems.
Monsoon brings with it fun, romance, pakoras, chai, bhutta or a stroll on the promenade by the sea-shore. But it also brings with it the monsoon blues – the muddy, mouldy misery, pot holes, traffic, and clamminess and to top it all, a hoard of health problems.
Mumbai-based physician Dr Priyamvada Rane list of diseases that can trouble you during the rainy season. “Acute viral respiratory illnesses such as common cold, pharyngitis, croup, bronchitis and pneumonia are among the most common illnesses at the onset of monsoon. Waterborne diseases such as acute infectious inflammatory colitis due to salmonellosis, shigellosis, and cholera are frequently seen in travellers, so also acute viral hepatitis presenting with jaundice. Parasitic infections like malaria and dengue fever are rampant. Recurrent P vivax malaria with low platelet level in the blood requiring frequent hospitalisation despite adequate therapeutic and prophylactic treatment is a growing concern.”
Dr Nina Madnani, dermatology consultant and department coordinator, PD Hinduja Hospital & MRC, Mumbai , says, “Rains means sweating, soggy skin, and wet warm folds; these conditions dispose people especially the obese, and diabetics, to develop new bacterial or fungal infections, or aggravation of their dormant skin problems. The underarms, groins, under breasts or pendulous body folds and in-between toes are the common sites involved by fungal infections. The symptoms include itching, redness, scaling, or a white soggy appearance.”
“Occasionally minute cuts develop, which can make the area secondarily infected with bacteria. If this happens in between the toes, swelling, redness, and severe pain can develop in the leg (cellulites). Sometimes the entire sole of the foot may get involved. Existing diseases like an eczema or psoriasis may get infected with bacteria, if drenched with contaminated rain or drain water”, adds Dr Madnani.
Regarding precautionary measures Dr Madnani advises, “Keep feet dry. Carry an extra pair of dry socks, so that the skin remains moisture-free. Wipe and dry all folds very carefully, and use a dusting powder as a preventive. Get all symptoms tackled early by a dermatologist to prevent complications.”
Tips to stay healthy this monsoon (With inputs from Dr Priyamvada Rane)
- Avoid eating uncooked / uncovered / unhygienic food.
- Keep your house and surroundings clean. Ensure that household waste and society premises waste and litter are disposed off daily.
- Ensure that stored water is covered with well with fitting lids and the water is replaced regularly.
- Broken plastic containers / rubber tyres / tanks are breeding place for mosquitoes and flies. They should be disposed off immediately.
- Use mosquitoes repellents, mosquito nets and pesticides fumigation by professional personnel.
- Do not remain in wet clothes.
- Take care of your feet, especially if you have diabetes.
- Chase away those gloomy Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) blues by wearing bright colours.
- Limit your fried food intake. Sip on hot soups and hot herbal tea instead.
