Chennai: Continuous rainfall for a few hours and then blazing sunlight have resulted in a rise in the number of skin infections and ailments.
Medicos say that skin related infections including breakouts, acne, bacterial and fungal infections like ringworm are up in government hospitals.
Though skin infections are among some major health concerns, they are often ignored which results in serious damage to skin due to fungal infections such as pyoderma, allergies, bullous impetigo, eczema and athlete’s foot, say dermatologists.
“Patients suffering from skin infections and ailments used to be around 200 usually, but the number has now increased to 300. There is a sharp increase in the cases of skin related allergies that mainly occur due to humidity and dryness, allowing the growth of bacteria and viruses,” said P. Vasanthamani, dean, Kilpauk Medical College.
Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) and Stanley Medical College have also seen a surge with around 100 more cases per day. Meanwhile, doctors say that children between age group of 2-14 are more prone to fungal allergies and parasitic infections, constituting a percentage of 20 per cent of total patients.
“A common dermatological symptom among youngsters is itchy patches and rashes on the feet, which is mostly athlete’s foot. This occurs because working people wear shoes for long duration and humidity leads to fungal infection in feet. Such practices should be checked,” said Dr A. Selvam, dermatologist at Fortis Malar Hospital.
He added that regular washing of feet and applying anti-fungal powder can prevent such infection. Fungal infection also spreads if clothes are not dried in sunlight, adding to the humidity.
“Dry skin is also a symptom that can intensify to rashes and permanent scars on skin. Therefore, skin should be kept clean and away from dirty water or allergens that can cause inflammation of the skin. Dandruff and loss of hair can also occur. Hence, proper moisturisation should be done, especially when warm water is used to take bath,” said Dr M. Mani, a senior dermatologist.
Common skin infections
Athlete’s foot
Eczema
Hyperhidrosis
Folliculitis
Ringworm
Scabies
