HEALTH

Skin care vital in humid weather
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 15
The showers bring a lot of relief in the hot arid weather, but the resultant humidity also brings along a host of skin problems like prickly heat and rashes caused by fungal and bacterial infections.

According to a dermatologist, prickly heat is caused in moist climate due to excessive sweating and humid heat. Power cuts make the matters worse and even babies are victims of prickly heat. Itching drives them crazy as they cannot speak. Mothers shower prickly heat powder, which dermatologists say is not the best thing to do. The powder forms a layer in the folds of the skin which worsens the matter. The best course is to keep the area of groin, armpits, and space between the toes dry.

Skin infections due to fungal growth are rampant in hot humid weather. Ring worm infection is very common and should be controlled lest it becomes unbearable. The bottom line is that personal hygiene is the key. Another kind of fungus infection is of quiet kind of white colour. According to a doctor, Candidal infection occurs between gaps of toe nails. The sufferer is in a great agony and early treatment is a must to control the infection. For fungus infections anti-fungal creams are prescribed.

The bacterial kind of infection causes painful boils. These boils are highly contagious and children can catch the infection in schools by playing with the infected children. A housewife, Ms Gautam, says, “I am very particular about the hygiene of my children. They bathe twice and dry themselves completely before donning clothes. Yet they often develop painful boils. The dermatologist has told me that it is due to infection that could be caused from other children having boils. I have to spent a lot of money on treatment. The school authorities should isolate these children to safeguard other students.”

Mosquito bites and bites by other insects may cause ‘vector dermatitis’. Warm temperatures and moisture are conducive for the rapid growth of bacteria. According to a doctor, “We prescribe anti-bacterial ointments. I advise my patients not to use medicated soaps. Rather I advise them to maintain personal hygiene with soap and water. Many people think milk may soothe the burning of skin but it is not advisable. After bathing, drying of the entire body can go a long way in preventing bacterial infections.”

In teenagers the acne problem worsens. Again the key is frequent washing and maintaining personal cleanliness. Scabies is another common skin disease during humid climate. It is very painful and causes a lot of itching. The patient should be isolated as it is highly contagious. The bed linen of the patient should be washed in boiling water to kill the bacteria. Antibiotics and anti-scabies medicines have to be given. Even the utensils of the patient should be kept separate.

Another source of skin infections are public swimming pools. Some swimming pools have made it mandatory for swimmers to get a clean chit from a dermatologist, stating that the person is not suffering from any infectious disease. Unfortunately, all public swimming pools do not adhere to this rule. Doctors advise that people after swimming should wash themselves thoroughly with soap and water. The authorities looking after swimming pools should put tubs with potassium permaganate. The swimmers should dip their feet in that water before entering the waters of the pool.

Even after a visit to religious places, feet should be washed with soap and water. Towels, clothes and footwear should not be shared at all. Use of synthetic clothes adds to the woes of people. Similarly, synthetic undergarments should be discarded in favour of cool cottons. Even synthetic socks should not be worn as these would retain moisture and cause fungal infection. It is better to wear chhappals than closed shoes. Harsh sun rays also cause a lot of allergies during the humid weather. Sun screens should be used. It is practical to wear pastel shades, loose clothes and shirts with full sleeves to protect oneself from sun burns.

During the hot moist weather, one must drink plenty of water. Coffee, tea or soft drinks do not account for fluids as these are dehydrating and rob the body of water.

‘Save kids from being underweight’
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 15
Doctors of the All-India Institute of Medical Science have found that almost 50 per cent of Indian children under the age of three are underweight. It holds true for Punjab and Ludhiana as well.

Dr S.S. Bedi, a paediatrician, said most children in the city, regardless of whether they were suffering from any disease, tended to be underweight. In families of high-income and low-income groups, 25 per cent of children under the age of one were underweight and 8 per cent of them had less than average weight. Half of those in the age group of four to five were underweight and 35 per cent of children under the age of 5 were underweight and short.

Dr Bedi said, “retarded growth is the cause of gastrointestinal disorders, diarrhoea, diseases of skin and hair and the depressed activity of several plasma and tissue enzymes. The organs with high protein and cell turnover, like the liver, the pancreas and mucous lining of the small intestine, bear the brunt.”

Dr Daljeet Singh, Professor and Head of the Department of Paediatrics and Dean Academics of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, said about 70 children visited his OPD every day, more than half of which were underweight. He said children would have to be saved from becoming malnourished before they reached the age of two. “Community, family and mothers will have to play an important role in this,” he said.

Dr Bedi said improper feeding habits were responsible for this alarming situation. He said, “In the first three years, the growth velocity is high compared to the later years. If the intake is less, the growth deficit increases in later years.”

He said parents and young girls should be taught the importance of supplementary feed. A pregnant woman should be given a proper guidance on child care.

Breast feeding should be encouraged and for the first four months, infants should not be given anything but the mother’s milk. Dr Bedi said, “The top feed should not be diluted. The supplementary feed should include curd, custard, readymade cereal food, dal and kheer.”

Health awareness fortnight
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 15
The health awareness fortnight from June 1 organised by the Health Department was concluded here today. Twenty such camps were organised at 10 different venues in the city.

According to an official press release by the department, three camps were held at the Revamping Centre, Sunet, on June 6, 11 and 13. two in the slum area of Kidwai Nagar on June 7 and 12, and two on June 4 and June 11 in the slum area of Dholewal. The other camps were held at Kot Mangal Singh Nagar, Guru Nanakpura, Basti Abdullapur, Salem Tabri, Basti Jodhewal, Haibowal Khurd and Haibowal Kalan.

The public was made aware of diseases like AIDS and STD. Literature was also distributed among the people. Mr Harjinder Singh, Deputy Mass Education and Information Officer, said exhibitions were also held regarding general awareness.