Finally, here comes the beauty of monsoon! Rain-drenched landscapes, romantic long drives & cozy evenings with your loved ones. Can’t get better than this, right? In a way right but wrong! Indian monsoon has been lovely, but the rains bring along with it a barrage of health (fever & cold etc) and skin problems (bacterial & fungal skin infections) that can be downright uncomfortable. Although most of these problems are not life-threatening but the unwillingness to visit a doctor/dermatologist can minimize the risk & severity of the condition.
Humidity encourages the growth of the several bacteria and fungi, getting wet in the rain often or wearing wet clothes or shoes for a longer time can lead to the same bacteria and fungi growing on your skin.
Skin problems that plague people during the monsoon season are-
o Tinea fungal infections: These are itchy infections like ringworms (skin infection in body folds like armpits, groin, the area between our toes etc), tinea capitis (itchy & flaky scalp) and onychomycosis (fungal infection in the nails causing them to become brittle and crumbly). These are highly communicable diseases.
o Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating: Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition which leads to excessive sweating in the armpits, soles of the feet palms, face, scalp and torso.
o Athlete’s foot: These are itchy, white blisters, flaky & cracks that appears between the toes and under the feet. It is not dangerous but is a communicable fungal disease. In order to prevent this infection or disease, keep your feet clean & dry thoroughly if they come in contact with rain water. Make sure to clean & dry your shoes too.
o Impetigo: Highly contagious bacterial infection which leads to red sores.
o Pyoderma: Skin infection that also has pus.
o Pigmentation/patchy uneven skin: Hyperpigmentation is characterized by a darkening of an area of skin caused by the overproduction of a pigment in the skin known as melanin.
o Eczema: Skin becomes highly dry, itchy & red. Asthma patients are more prone to it.
o Scabies: Infectious skin condition when tiny mites burrow into skin causing rashes & itches.
If you experience any of these aforesaid conditions, visit a dermatologist immediately before you damage you skin further and before it spreads to your loved ones around you.
During the monsoon, our skin gets wet more often than usual. Different skin reacts differently, like when skin becomes very dry it is prone to acne or it can become very oily and attract dirt and pollutants. Those with acne-prone skins should opt for a water-based moisturizer. If our skin is dry yet pimple-free, then an oil-based moisturizer is better suited.
To meet expert dermatologists, visit your nearest Kutiz Skin Clinic. Stay clean and stay hydrated to reduce the side effects of monsoon on your skin.