Wet Weather Skin Diseases

Public Health Nutrition and Child Care

Rains have started to pour down most especially at night. Last night’s rain that came down so heavily from the heavens, gave a quick relief and refreshing denouncement to the intense heat of the afternoon. This signifies transition of weather from dry to wet. If there are dry weather diseases, there are also wet weather diseases. This article identifies the common wet weather diseases of the skin.

Fungal infections

The most common fungal infection of the skin from wet weather is athlete’s foot. This is known as “alipunga” in our native tongue. There can be break in the skin in-between toes. The sole of the foot is sometimes not spared and in severe cases, the fungal infection is coupled and complicated with bacterial infection. The affected foot or feet can emit foul odor. There can be itchiness and in severe cases the itchiness becomes pain and swelling. This is caused by fungus or in colloquial term “amag”.

Fungus thrives and grows in wet areas of the body, thus, fungal infection from wet weather can also affect not only the feet and toes but also other parts of the body like the inguinal area (jock itch), the trunk, armpits, nails, extremities, and the nape, neck, and head. The infected area can grow in size or transfer from one area to another. Skin fungal infection can transfer from one person to another.

Shingles (Herpes zoster)

Those who are 50 years old and older are prone to getting Herpes zoster. This is a virus infection. The virus is called Herpes zoster that is a relative of the chickenpox virus Varicella zoster. The skin lesions appear as small watery lesions that are close to each other. The appearance resembles that of chickenpox but they are found only in an area of the body. Accompanying symptom is pain. Shingles can be contracted from crowded places and contaminated floodwaters. Shingles is communicable.

Various skin allergies

Skin allergies can come in many forms. In severe and advanced forms they may present as eczema lesions or thickened lesions of the skin. There is itchiness and related systemic allergies, like bronchial asthma can go with them. Wheal formation or “tagulabay” is common.

Preventing wet weather skin diseases

Always keep the feet dry. Rotate shoes and allow some hours or days of drying and airing of wet shoes. Change socks daily. If you cannot avoid walking on dirty floodwaters, always wash feet with soap and weather and allow them to dry by using sleepers. Use foot powder to enhance drying of the feet. You may use hair dryer to dry the feet before wearing shoes. Avoid the crowd. Skin allergies are best controlled and treated when they have just started. Consult your doctor or dermatologist if you have these skin diseases.