Hi Sereni-Trees! Now that the rainy season has started, it means that rainfall has increased significantly along with high humidity and temperature changes. Of course, this kind of weather even though it feels “refreshing” can have an impact on our health! One of the common ones is the flu. But make no mistake, other rainy season illnesses also have a connection to skin health. What are the most common skin diseases in this season?
Let’s see the explanation until the end!
Why is the rainy season prone to skin diseases?
During the rainy season, air humidity tends to increase. This condition affects human skin because moisture can trigger the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi on the skin surface. In addition, high humidity makes the environment more humid.
This also makes the skin more prone to irritation. The increased moisture content in the air can make it difficult to absorb the excessive moisture. The result = irritation and other skin problems.
In addition, during the rainy season, we tend to frequent wetter environments, especially if exposed directly to rainwater or moisture from the air. Prolonged exposure to water, especially if it is contaminated with dirt or bacteria, can increase the risk of skin diseases!
Another factor that plays a role is the change in temperature during the rainy season. Rapid temperature changes from hot to cold or vice versa can affect the skin’s balance. This can cause the skin to become more sensitive or prone to irritation and other skin diseases.
6 Skin Diseases During the Rainy Season
There are actually many, but there are 6 types of skin diseases that often appear during the rainy season. The symptoms and causes are different so make sure you are familiar with the symptoms!
- Ringworm: This disease is caused by a fungus that grows on the surface of the skin. The high humidity of the rainy season creates an ideal environment for fungal growth.
Symptoms of ringworm include: Red patches or scaly skin, high-intensity itching in the infected area, and painful or burning spots.
When affected, make sure not to scratch the itchy area and consult a doctor immediately. Generally we need anti-fungal ointment as a treatment. For prevention, simply shower regularly and avoid exchanging hygiene items with others.
- Prickly heat: Who says prickly heat only occurs when it’s hot? This disease occurs when the sweat glands are blocked. High humidity prevents sweat from leaving the skin!
Symptoms include: The onset of a small, red rash resembling a pimple accompanied by a stinging itching or burning sensation in the area.
We can treat this disease with ointments/medications with zinc oxide. For prevention, make sure the room is well ventilated and keep the skin clean and moisturized with lotion.
- Athlete’s foot: Athlete’s foot is caused by an allergic reaction to the bites of athlete’s foot on moist skin, especially in the foot area.
Symptoms include: The appearance of fluid-filled bubbles on the skin and intense itching.
The treatment is by applying Miconazole or Clotrimazole. To be on the safe side, don’t forget to consult your symptoms first! Make sure to always keep your feet clean and avoid wearing closed footwear for too long!
- Tinea versicolor: Tinea Versicolor is a type of fungal growth on the skin due to high humidity levels.
Symptoms of tinea versicolor include: The appearance of white or yellowish patches on the skin. It is also not uncommon to experience itching and redness around the infected area.
Some options of tinea versicolor medicine that we can try are Selenium sulfide, Itraconazole or Ketoconazole. For prevention, we need to avoid wearing too tight clothes and dry the skin well especially after activities or bathing.
- Acne: Skin is prone to breakouts during the rainy season as the increased humidity in the air can lead to increased oil production on the skin. This makes the pores prone to clogging.
Acne comes in many forms, but one symptom is red bumps on the skin.
Prevent and treat acne by using non-comedogenic or acne skin-specific products. We must also maintain our hygiene!
- Cold Allergy: Some people have allergies to cold weather, especially if the temperature changes drastically.
Symptoms of this allergy resemble: Skin redness and rashes on areas exposed to cold air and mild/severe itching (Intensity depends on individual skin conditions).
As a treatment, allergy sufferers can take antihistamine drugs such as Cetirizine, Ioratadine, or Desloratadine. Make sure to consult a doctor, especially if symptoms worsen! We can also avoid this allergy by avoiding exposure to cold temperatures.
These are some of the most common rainy season skin diseases! Are there any symptoms that you often experience? Unlike prevention, for treatment, try to always rely on medical personnel and professionals. Don’t let the symptoms get worse and risk being fatal to our health!
Rainy Season Skin Care
The change in temperature and humidity during the rainy season means we have to change our skincare routine a bit! This is to keep our skin healthy, hydrated and glowing.
First, your skin needs to stay hydrated. Cold weather can make our skin dry so we can keep it hydrated by applying lotion after showering (Recommended product: Serenitree Body Lotion), drinking more water, and taking supplements if necessary (Especially for those with very dry skin). This should also be balanced with the consumption of vegetables and fruits to increase antioxidants in the body, thus protecting the skin from free radicals.
Do not forget also that the habit of exfoliation must remain the way to remove dirt on clogged pores. Clogged pores will become skin diseases if we don’t clean them!
The last tip is to minimize the use of makeup. It’s okay to use makeup, but try not to be too thick. This is to prevent buildup on the pores of the facial skin.
The point is to maintain hygiene (Avoiding the growth of bacteria & infection), hydration (Inside and outside the body), and increase immunity so as not to be vulnerable to disease. Let’s stay healthy together, Sereni-Trees!