The humid and wet atmosphere during monsoon demands good skin care and prevention of skin infections due to exposure to dirty or muddy water.

Here are some frequently asked questions related to skin care in rainy season and few tips to keep your skin healthy, fresh and preventing it from infections.

– Every monsoon, I have to wade through knee-deep water. Is there any precaution I should take?
In the monsoon season, the feet are exposed mostly to unclean water and mud and hence, foot care should be given priority in monsoon. Open footwear is prescribed for the monsoon season rather than closed footwear like shoes and boots. The feet should be kept clean and dry at the home too. After returning from outdoors, the feet should be kept to rest in lukewarm water. Calendula Q can also be added to this water so as to disinfect the feet. Apply Vaseline and wear socks while you sleep to preserve the moisture.

 – My skin breaks out every monsoon. Is there a solution for it?

Our sweat glands and oil glands are over-active during the rains. This increases the tendency of acne, pimples and breakouts.

A papaya pulp and mud packs with homeopathic medicines can be prepared at home and applied on the face.

– What kind of fungal infections should I look out for in the monsoon?

During the monsoon, fungal infections are more common and potent than at any other time of the year. This is because most fungi thrive in hot and humid climate. Common fungal infections to look out for are – Ringworm, nail infections, Athlete’s foot and Scabies.

– What is Ringworm?

A contagious fungal infection of the skin, ringworm appears as a circular or ring-shaped rash. It usually begins as a small, itchy, red or scaly patch, and can spread to other parts of the body including the scalp. At times, several rings appear close together and merge.

– What are nail infections?

Nails are at risk of fungal infections during the rainy season, Nails can become discolored, brittle and rough. In severe cases, the nail can get detached from the nail bed. You may also notice red, swollen and itchy skin around the nails.

– What is athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot is an infection that looks like a red, itchy and moist rash on the feet. It usually starts at the toes and moves on to other areas of the feet. Other symptoms include a burning sensation, cracked skin, blisters and foul-smelling feet.

– What is Scabies?

Scabies is an extremely itchy rash, caused by tiny parasitic mites, that spreads easily. The rash looks like red bumps usually found between fingers, on elbows, armpits, tummy and genitals.

How can I prevent skin infections during the monsoon?

Here are a few more monsoon skin care tips to keep the skin healthy and fresh while keeping infections at bay –

– Staying dry is the best way to skin infections.
– To prevent fungal infections, one can use medicated soaps and calendula powder.
– Cleanse the skin frequently with calendula soap.
– Open footwear is prescribed for the monsoon season rather than closed footwear like shoes and boots.
– Keep the skin clean and scrub the skin to remove dust at least twice a week.
– Lessen the use of moisturizing creams, oily foundations and color make-up with cream.
– Leave the skin to be natural in monsoon.
– Use sunscreen even in rains to protect your skin from UV rays.
–  Do not rub the skin much when it is dry and cold.
– Eat warm and fresh food during monsoon months.
– Consume lots of fluids. Eat lots of sweet juicy fruits.
– Include Vitamin-E and Omega-3 in your diet. These nutrients are rich in oils and will keep your skin nourished.
– It is advisable to take Vitamin-C during the monsoons to boost your resistance against diseases.
– Monsoon is the time for germs and bacteria to thrive in unhygienic conditions.
– During the rains, there is a high amount of humidity in the atmosphere due to which our digestive system gets sluggish. Thus, eating the right kind of food and taking care of your overall health becomes extremely important to prevent yourself from falling ill.

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