Monsoons wreaks havoc on one’s skin, and often results in fungal infections, itchy red skin, breakouts, and rashes. The hot and humid atmosphere is highly conducive to fungal infections, which are highly contagious, and the open, overflowing sewers, and puddles often aggravate the problem. The most common skin conditions that develop in the monsoon season are—Ringworm - A common infection during rainy seasons, the fungus manifest under one’s underarms and genital areas in the form of round patches that are extremely itchy and reddish in colour. Home remedies aren’t advised, and it must be brought to medical attention immediately .
Athlete’s foot - Called the athlete’s foot after the widespread occurrence among sportspersons, fungi find moist, warm spaces in shoes an ideal breeding ground resulting in infection. It can be identified by itchy patches on the feet that are well defined, scaly, and itchy. It can be caused by a common fungi called Candida. Toe nails of infected feet are discoloured, and may result in the splitting of the nail.
Regular inspection of feet, and sprinkling anti fungal powder in shoes, and socks can prevent infection.
Care should be taken to never stay in wet socks for long and to always wear clean pairs of socks.
Eczema - This is a term that is applied to a variety of skin conditions that result from inflammation of the dermatitis.
Humidity and constant temperature changes of the monsoon make eczema likelier, and exacerbate the condition in individuals predisposed to sensitive skin.
Eczema is caused due to both external and genetic factors, and thus prevention involves constant moisturizing, staying clean, and away from dirty water or other allergy inducing material.
Scabies - A skin condition caused by parasitic mites, scabies is classified by WHO as a water related disease. The condition is extremely contagious, and spreads through skin to skin contact, and also through infected material. The rainy season is thus a time when scabies spreads to various individuals who have been in contact with contaminated water.
The reddish tracks of the mites, where they have burrowed in the epidermis, cause itchy rashes, and require medical treatment.
