Take a rain check

Dr Sanjiv Kumar

As the rains arrive once again, bringing the much-needed relief from the oppressive heat of the harsh summer, water-borne diseases and fevers resulting from sudden changes in temperature can put a dampener on your spirits. Hence, it is necessary that we take special care to keep our constitution strong and stay healthy in the rainy season.

Water-logged roads and overflowing sewage drains are a common sight in both metropolises and smaller towns. Stagnant water is also the perfect breeding ground for dengue and malaria mosquitoes and several other viral pathogens. Remaining drenched for long periods and increased humidity can also lead to skin and fungal infections that need to be guarded against.

Here are some guidelines that will help you prevent illness and keep you safe through the wet weather.

n—Keep away from fizzy drinks this monsoon as these lower the mineral content of the body leading to lower secretion of vital enzymes. This could result in further complications with an already weakened digestive system.

n—It is important to keep one hydrated and fed during the monsoons despite the first two directions. Hence, carry a water bottle and some home-made snacks around with you. This practice will help you maintain your immunity to disease at this crucial time.

n—Use insect repellants/mosquito nets/mosquito creams to keep yourself from being bitten by pathogen-bearing pests.

n—Keep your surroundings as clean and dry as possible to avoid giving harmful insects a chance to breed and check against spreading disease conditions in the neighbourhood.

n—One should try to avoid wading through puddles of rain water as dirty water carries the risk of leptospirosis and other fungal infections that affect the feet and nails. If you have walked through the rain water, remove socks or shoes as soon as possible and wash the parts of your body which have been exposed to dirty water with Bedtadine or other disinfectant, as soon as you can.

n—Those suffering from asthma or other respiratory problems should avoid getting close to damp surfaces.

n—Maintaining personal hygiene is of the utmost importance during the monsoons. It may be unavoidable to get wet but bathing twice a day will help clean accumulated dust, dirt, sweat and toxins from your skin surface.

n—Prevent conditions that bring on colds, coughs and fevers by keeping your skin dry and your body hydrated. It is ill-advised to enter air-conditioned rooms with wet hair or damp clothes on. Use anti-fungal creams and talcum powder everyday to help keep you dry and free from infections.

n—Keep your children clean and dry by insisting on daily and frequent baths as they stand at high risk of skin infections and fever that can easily become contagious. Typical symptoms show up as sores or rashes on the skin and mouth, arms and legs. Also keep them safe from mosquito bites as their immunities have not yet developed to the level of an adult.

The monsoons are the season of relief and frolic. However, a little care will help you enjoy the season without the associated problems.

—The writer is director, International Institute of Health Management Research, New Delhi