Maintaining healthy skin during monsoon: A guide to combat common skin problems

Common skin problems that occur during the monsoon season and what causes allergies and rashes during the wet conditions:

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Rashmi Aderao, MD Dermatology Consultant at Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune, revealed, “Perspiration during monsoon irritates the skin and causes rapid growth of fungi and bacteria. Eczema occurs due to sudden shift of temperatures and caused by transepidermal water loss. Humid weather also causes spurt of asthma, atopic dermatitis or hives. Excess moisture retention due to socks causes fungal infections. Ringworms aka tinea infections also increases due to damp clothes.”

She added, “Children always play in contaminated water and this can cause transmission of parasitic infection like scabies. Scabies can cause extreme discomfort through skin rashes and intense itching. Excessive moisture retention in shoes and socks during monsoon result in itching of feet ,peeling of skin of feet and cracked toenails which leads to foot infection for example athelets foot. Low humidity causes transepidermal water loss and cause dryness of skin roughness of skin and can sometimes disrupt the skin barrier. It can also cause increase in sebum production, clogging of pores and can cause acne, folliculitis.”

Highlighting that incidence of rashes increases with the onset of monsoons, Dr Rashmi Aderao explained, “Fall in temperature with humid weather causes pollen grains to burst open releasing pollen allergens into the air. It can affect people who are allergies and those who have history of atopy. It increases sneezing episodes, rhinitis, allergens can also flare up allergy symptoms in the skin. Hives may occur when the skin comes in contact with allergen. Raincoats, jackets and gloves which can be made of cheap synthetic material, can cause allergies on coming in contact with the skin.”

She elaborated, “Molds, which increases more during the rainy season can also cause allergic problems such as skin allergies, asthama. Monsoon brings the season of trekking, insect bites which are very common can cause rash over body or allergic reactions. Water logging in open sites and plots, caused by the rains is turning to be breeding site for mosquitoes and larve, which give rise to infection like dengue and chickengunia which in turn leads to development of rashes over body.”

Bringing his expertise to the same, Dr Aayush Gupta, Associate Professor and Consultant Dermatologist at DPU Private Super Specialty Hospital in Pune’s Pimpri, said, “The humid/rainy weather and wet clothes provide the perfect environment for an increase in fungal infections, most commonly presenting as ringworm infections (Tenia caused by dermatophytes). These fungi thrive in damp areas. A similar thing can occur due to wet socks and shoes due to an increase in puddles, leading to the development of athletes’ foot, which is nothing but a fungal infection of the feet (commonly caused due to candida).”

Pointing out that an increase in insect bite reactions (from common papular urticaria to life-threatening angioedema) is also observed due to the increased prevalence of insects in rainy weather, he said, “Allergies and rashes in wet conditions are often triggered by increased mold and mildew growth, as well as dust mites. Damp environments provide an ideal breeding ground for these allergens, leading to skin irritation and allergic reactions. The arrival of the monsoons is also a stimulus for a lot of trees to flower and release their pollens causing a rise in allergic rashes (from urticaria to rashes to angioedema) as well as breathing difficulties.”

According to Dr Banani Chaudhari, Consultant Dermatologist at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, the most common infection will be the fungal infection. She said, “Fungal infection develops mostly on the areas where skin tends to remain wet – underarms, joints and any private areas. The fungus remains in our body in monsoon, increases in number and starts itching. Then it becomes red and scaly and there’s a border around it, that’s what we call a ringworm. This type of infection is particularly infectious to the patient themselves and also the infection spreads to the other family members. Second type of infection is also a fungal infection that is not contagious, which is what we call dandruff. It is a manifestation of inequal, flaky scales on the scalp and it remains remains in our body, increasing in number because of the surrounding environment in monsoon. These are two very common infections.”

She revealed, “Bacteria infection in the form of inflammation of the hair follicles is the normal bacteria which means in our body the increase in numbers on areas of frictional trauma or on the areas where it is constant friction. If you’re wearing tight clothes between the thighs or on the buttock areas, it later becomes insane sometimes, it is painful and then you develop infection in that area. In all these three conditions, there are definitive medication for all different problems. The last infection what we are seeing in monsoon is viral infection. Viral infection is as simple as herpes, where you develop it in your upper lip and intimate area, like any blisters grouped together. It comes with a feverish feeling; it can be recurrent or it can develop in the patient for the first time too. Another type of viral infection is herpes zoster. It develops along the line of the nerve so it’s like always on one side of the body and on your face – on your body like on your trunk or legs or arms and it is associated with extremely painful blisters in clusters. All these conditions needs dermatologists’ opinion.”

Prevention tips for fungal infections:

Dr Rashmi Aderao recommended:

-Wear clean and dry clothes, change wet clothes, socks and undergarments after exercise or when you get wet in the rain.

-Daily washed clothes should be worn, two times bath is must. Avoid sharing towels and soaps at home.

-Wear open footwear that allows air circulation.

-Wash your hands and feets regularly.

-Dry and wipe your body properly after a bath. Especially skin folds like behind the knees, underarms and between the toes.

-Keep yourself and your clothes (especially under garments) clean.

-Keep yourself dry. Avoid staying in wet clothes for too long. Rain or no rain, keep a raincoat or an umbrella with you all the time.

-As some of the skin problems are contagious, one should avoid sharing their clothes and personal belongings with others.

-Whenever you get any red, circular patches around neck, inguinal folds or any body part , do not use any over the counter topicals, always consult with you dermatologist, before it damages or worsen your condition.

Dr Aayush Gupta advised, “Keep the skin dry and clean during the monsoon season to avoid and treat fungal infections. Stay away from wearing wet clothing for long periods of time, especially in skin folds. Use antifungal powders or creams to treat early signs of infection and maintain proper hygiene.”

Dr Banani Chaudhari further suggested how you can prevent and manage fungal infections during this season and advised:

• We cannot prevent going outdoors so, what we can do is take bath and immediately dry ourselves, or atleast keep ourself dry. It will help with preventing infections.
• For allergies, mostly moisturise the skin twice or even thrice a day on areas which are prone to rashes. If you put the moisturiser three times on the area, then we can reduce the symptoms of allergy.

Diet:

Many of us enjoy the monsoon season with a cup of coffee/tea, biting into vada pao and snacks but Dr Rashmi Aderao shared that it is also true that rainy season brings with it a lot of health issues so it becomes important to eat healthy, home cooked foods, fresh vegies and fruits. She suggested, “Seasonal fruits like pomegranate, cherries which are rich in vitamins and fibres should be included in our diet. Try to include fluids like soup, green tea, broth as they are good for health and prevents dehydration. Eat steamed salads instead of raw vegies as they contain bacteria which can cause infections. Add plenty of whole grains, salads, sprouts and yogurt into your diet, which will trigger the immune system and helps to stay off infections.”

She added, “Stay hydrated even if you don’t feel thirsty in the monsoon. Turmeric is valued for its potent anti-inflammatory so, consume turmeric milk. Milk and milk products, eggs, pulses should be included in our diet on regular basis. Avoid eating from roadside vendors in this monsoon season, as it carries a risk factor for infections and food poisoning. Try to prefer only boiled and purified water as it is a season prone to infections. In the rainy season foods must be cooked fresh, balanced and simple to digest.”

Dr Aayush Gupta recommended, “Foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, such as leafy greens, citrus fruits, and nuts, can support skin repair and boost collagen production. Additionally, include foods with omega-3 fatty acids, like fatty fish and flaxseeds, to maintain skin hydration and minimise inflammation. Drinking plenty of water is also vital to keep your skin hydrated in the humid weather.”

Adding to the types of foods should you incorporate into your diet to support your skin’s health during this season, Dr Banani Chaudhari said, “In diet, focus on zinc containing food because it is a natural immune regulating vitamin and it helps to improve our immune system. Take zincovit or any vitamins containing zinc. Zinc is abundant in fresh fruits and dry foods. I would always advise patients to take dry foods, four times or five times a week and fresh fruit one fresh fruit every day. This is the key to take care of these allergies and infections.”