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Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Doctor shares 5 common seasonal skin infections during monsoon and how to prevent them
Monsoon puts your skin health at serious risk due to challenging weather conditions, from constant gloominess throughout the day to dampness caused by high moisture in the air. Over time, if proper hygiene precautions are not taken, these weather conditions create the ideal environment for bacterial and fungal infections to thrive. This is why knowing the preventive measures is important to steer clear of monsoon's seasonal infections. Dr Mukesh Batra, founder-chairman Emeritus, Dr Batra'sHealthcare, shared with HT Lifestyle about how vulnerable your skin can get during monsoon, increasing the chances of infections. Skin allergies and infections are common because of the high moisture content in the air.(Shutterstock) He said, 'Monsoon rain, damp weather and heavy humidity bring with them a flood of skin infections. The season creates a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi to grow in the surroundings as well as the body. As per the National Institute of Health, severe fungal infection reaches about 4.1% of India's population, whereas a superficial skin fungal infection can vary extensively from 6.09 percent to as much as 61.5 percent based on location.' ALSO READ: Eye issues, infections rise in monsoon: Experts share how to use eye drops correctly and prevent conjunctivitis Further specifying what kind of infections are common during the monsoon season, he added, 'Diseases like Ringworm, Erythrasma, Folliculitis, Heat Rash, and Athlete's Foot are prevalent this season. These seasonal changes are a good time to reflect on the need for mass awareness and preventive measures to decrease the incidence of monsoon-borne infection.' Since prevention is better than cure, looking after your skin health and general hygiene becomes the need of the hour this monsoon. Dr Batra shared these 5 monsoon skin infections, unpacking the signs, precautions and when to visit a doctor: 1. Athlete's foot High humidity and wet shoes increase the possibility of fungus growth, making the disease common during this season. Signs: This can be identified with redness, itching, and cracking of the skin between the toes or peeling skin. This can be identified with redness, itching, and cracking of the skin between the toes or peeling skin. Prevention: Prevention is a part of daily routine through washing and drying feet properly, using antifungal powder, wearing dry socks, or selecting air-drying shoes. Avoid going barefoot in shared wet areas. Wet shoes and high humidity cause athlete's foot.(Shutterstock) 2. Ringworm Signs: A very frequent fungal infection manifests in the beginning as round, itching, red plaques with scaling, raised edges. A very frequent fungal infection manifests in the beginning as round, itching, red plaques with scaling, raised edges. Prevention: Prevention includes daily washing and drying of the body, application of antifungal powders or creams, wearing loose cotton clothing, and not sharing towels or clothing. Wear open-toed shoes or ventilated footwear, dry quickly out of wet clothes, dress loosely and ensure shoes and socks are well dried before re-use. Prevention includes daily washing and drying of the body, application of antifungal powders or creams, wearing loose cotton clothing, and not sharing towels or clothing. Wear open-toed shoes or ventilated footwear, dry quickly out of wet clothes, dress loosely and ensure shoes and socks are well dried before re-use. When to visit doctor: Consult with a doctor if the rash spreads, lasts for more than two weeks, especially if your immune system is compromised. 3. Erythrasma: Signs: The infection can be recognised with pink-brown scaling patches in folds of the skin (e.g. groin, underarms, between toes), which are itchy or have a mild sting. The infection can be recognised with pink-brown scaling patches in folds of the skin (e.g. groin, underarms, between toes), which are itchy or have a mild sting. Prevention: The preventive measures include daily showers and washing with antibacterial soap, keeping the areas dry and applying antibacterial powder. Tight-fitting clothes must be avoided, remove wet clothes as soon as possible, change footwear frequently to dry and leave skin creases uncovered to air to minimise moisture buildup. The preventive measures include daily showers and washing with antibacterial soap, keeping the areas dry and applying antibacterial powder. Tight-fitting clothes must be avoided, remove wet clothes as soon as possible, change footwear frequently to dry and leave skin creases uncovered to air to minimise moisture buildup. When to visit doctor: Consult a health expert if the rash becomes worse after two weeks, or drains or is tender, especially with underlying medical conditions like diabetes. 4. Folliculitis The disease generally occurs with inflammation of hair follicles due to sweat, humidity, and friction. Signs: Initial symptoms are tender, sometimes itchy, red pimples around follicles. Initial symptoms are tender, sometimes itchy, red pimples around follicles. Prevention/treatment: Apply Aloe vera or diluted tea tree during shower, brushing with a soft-bristled brush weekly to exfoliate, do not shave over the rash. Apply Aloe vera or diluted tea tree during shower, brushing with a soft-bristled brush weekly to exfoliate, do not shave over the rash. When to visit a doctor: If the rash spreads to other areas, persists for longer than one week, or is accompanied by swelling and pain. 5. Heat rash: Tends to break out during the monsoon due to plugged sweat pores in hot, humid weather. Signs: Symptoms are small red or white pimples, an itchy sensation on areas of the body such as the neck, chest, or folds of skin. Symptoms are small red or white pimples, an itchy sensation on areas of the body such as the neck, chest, or folds of skin. Prevention: Avoid it by keeping cool, using fans or air conditioning, dressing in loose clothing, showering in cool water, and patting dry skin. Steer clear of thick creams or powders that may clog pores; instead, use soothing calamine or colloidal oatmeal lotions. Avoid it by keeping cool, using fans or air conditioning, dressing in loose clothing, showering in cool water, and patting dry skin. Steer clear of thick creams or powders that may clog pores; instead, use soothing calamine or colloidal oatmeal lotions. When to see a doctor: If the rash lasts for more than a few days, becomes tender, reddens, or is accompanied by fever or swelling, as these might indicate secondary infection. During very humid and rainy weather, it creates the ideal climate for fungi and bacteria to thrive. Dr Batra shared some general prevention tips that keep skin infections away. He concluded, 'Rubbing against skin and dressing in tight clothes trap moisture in skin folds, which can lead to infection. Further, wetting your skin and drying it over and over can weaken your skin's natural protective barrier, and germs can penetrate easily. By noticing early signs like redness, itchiness, or pustules, people can take preventive steps to keep themselves healthy. You can prevent infections from worsening by drying your skin, loose clothing, and using antifungal ointments.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Scottish Sun
11-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Mum sparks debate after revealing why she NEVER washes new clothes, bedding or charity buys – but whose side are you on?
WASH THIS Mum sparks debate after revealing why she NEVER washes new clothes, bedding or charity buys – but whose side are you on? FROM how many times you wash the sheets to the number of times you wash your clothes and at what temperature – it's been a debate among many people. But one mum has got people talking after revealing her routine when buying new products. Advertisement 1 Livvy has revealed her laundry habits when it comes to her new purchases Credit: TIKTOK/livsmeh Taking to TikTok, the mum-of-four shared a video on her social media page @livsmeh, which currently has 10.9K followers. Livvy responded to someone who commented on a previous video of hers saying: 'you must wash new bedding.' However, the mum responded with something slightly different, and it has very much got people talking. She explained that she 'never' washes new bedding and has never washed her new clothes either. Advertisement Livvy also added: 'I sometimes don't even wash clothes I get from the charity shop. That's gross isn't it?' She explained to her followers that she didn't understand why people would wash their new bedding or new clothes. The mum then went on to explain that she didn't even wash the brand-new newborn clothes she bought. Livvy then asked her followers: 'What am I doing wrong here? Why? They're new.' Advertisement Before then telling her followers that she didn't want to know the answer to those questions. After 24 hours of the video being shared, Livvy's video received over 10.2k views, with 90 people rushing to the comments section to share their thoughts. I got Ringworm working in the changing room of a major high street store - it's why you should always wash new clothes Some were mixed. One wrote: 'Same here. Mum-of-five, new bedding straight on, new clothes straight in the drawers, charity shop clothes sniff test will decide whether it gets washed or not. Advertisement 'If it smells like the person smokes it goes through the washer twice, if not in the drawer they go!' A second added: 'If you wash them, then you have to dry them and then you have to put them away. No thank you.' A third said: 'Not gross in my opinion.' The charity shop non-washing has kinda given me the ick TikTok comment However, others didn't agree. Advertisement One commented: 'Always wash before use. "One of my kids got hives from the factory finishings on a body warmer.' A second said: 'You lost me at a charity shop.' Whilst someone else wrote: 'Oh I'm more than fine with new clothes and bedding, but the charity shop clothes not being washed has been scratching all over a little bit.' Advertisement Another added: 'The charity shop non-washing has kinda given me the ick.'
The Irish Sun
11-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
Mum sparks debate after revealing why she NEVER washes new clothes, bedding or charity buys – but whose side are you on?
FROM how many times you wash the sheets to the number of times you wash your clothes and at what temperature – it's been a debate among many people. But one mum has got people talking after revealing her routine when buying new products. 1 Livvy has revealed her laundry habits when it comes to her new purchases Credit: TIKTOK/livsmeh Taking to TikTok, the mum-of-four shared a video on her social media page @ Livvy responded to someone who commented on a previous video of hers saying: 'you must However, the mum responded with something slightly different, and it has very much got people talking. She explained that she 'never' washes new bedding and has never washed her new clothes either. READ MORE ON WASHING Livvy also added: 'I sometimes don't even wash clothes I get from the charity shop. That's gross isn't it?' She explained to her followers that she didn't understand why people would wash their new bedding or new clothes. The mum then went on to explain that she didn't even wash the brand-new Livvy then asked her followers: 'What am I doing wrong here? Why? They're new.' Most read in Uncategorized Before then telling her followers that she didn't want to know the answer to those questions. After 24 hours of the video being shared, Livvy's video received over 10.2k views, with 90 people rushing to the comments section to share their thoughts. I got Ringworm working in the changing room of a major high street store - it's why you should always wash new clothes Some were mixed. One wrote: 'Same here. Mum-of-five, new bedding straight on, new clothes straight in the drawers, 'If it smells like the person smokes it goes through the washer twice, if not in the drawer they go!' A second added: 'If you wash them, then you have to dry them and then you have to put them away. No thank you.' A third said: 'Not gross in my opinion.' The charity shop non-washing has kinda given me the ick TikTok comment However, others didn't agree. One commented: 'Always wash before use. "One of my kids got hives from the factory finishings on a body warmer.' A second said: 'You lost me at a charity shop.' Whilst someone else wrote: 'Oh I'm more than fine with new clothes and bedding, but the charity shop clothes not being washed has been scratching all over a little bit.' Another added: 'The charity shop non-washing has kinda given me the ick.' Laundry tips Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at smol shared her laundry tips. How often should you be remaking your bed? When it comes to your bed, maintaining a hygienic sleep setup can actually improve your sleep quality, helping you start every day better. Most people shed 500 million skin cells per day and a lot of that ends up in bed for dust mites to feed on. And those with asthma or allergies might see symptoms worsen by sleeping on dirty sheets! You want to be washing your sheets once a week - or every 10 days if you don't suffer from allergies and wear nightclothes. Bedding builds up with sweat, skin cells and oils quickly, even if it doesn't look dirty. Using an effective detergent like What temperature do smol recommend then? For your regular weekly washes I recommend washing most loads at 20°C for 30 minutes. It's gentler on fabrics, slashes energy use, and still delivers excellent stain removal with the right detergent. A colder wash can actually be more effective if you opt for a bio detergent as its enzymes need cooler water; too hot and they lose their ability to digest stains. A wash at 60°c (unless you have silk sheets) every now and again can help kill off dust mites and other nasties. What's the difference between bio and non-bio detergent? Bio detergents contain enzymes, which are especially good at breaking down tough stains like food, grass, or sweat. It's best used in mid to low temperature washes (ideally between 20-40°C) as anything hotter can cause them not to work effectively. Non-bio skips the enzymes, which in turn makes it more suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Although non-bio doesn't contain enzymes, it's still great at removing stains and keeping your clothes clean, you just may need to use a slightly higher temperature setting to aid with the cleaning process.
