Doctors recommend full-sleeved shirts, drinking boiled water; warn of tick-borne conditions
It’s that time of the year when there is a surge in travellers who take off on treks and hikes. It is also a favourite time of the year for infections to spread.
“There is a 100 per cent rise in bookings for easy treks meant for beginners as well as to waterfalls and visits to low altitude hills,” said Krisha Kuya, who runs Dark Green Adventurers, a travel company that organises treks in and around Mumbai. “Cough and cold are the most common complaints apart form diarrhoea. I advice my trekkers to eat healthy,” Kuya added.
Doctors have a word of caution for those packing their bags and readying for a trip this season.
Dr Ayesha Sunavala, Jr Consultant, Infectious Diseases, PD Hinduja Hospital said, “At our travel clinic we stress on mosquito-related diseases as well as those spread by ticks which commonly goes unnoticed. Rickettsiae is a tick-borne condition that we see among travellers in and around Maharashtra which can lead to fever, rash and even pneumonia.”
Trekkers often wade through muddy waters, which makes them susceptible to infections like leptospirosis. “A simple solution for those wading through muddy or stagnant water is to come back and wash their feet well,” said Dr Pradmaja Keskar, executive health officer, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
“Drinking filtered or boiled water is very important and this is one advice I give all my patients, especially in this season,” said Dr Manish Mavani, general physician, Bhatia Hospital. “To keep mosquitoes at bay one can wear full-sleeved shirts, as dengue can be aggressive and fatal,” he said.
The main problem during the monsoons is high humidity and sweat. Typically, germs accumulate on the feet. This is one of the causes of Athlete’s Foot, which develops easily during humid weather because it thrives on soggy skin. If neglected, it can become a stubborn problem, with an itchy condition. Athlete’s foot starts as a fungal infection. So, if there is dry scaling on the feet, especially between the toes, with some itching, consult a dermatologist without delay.
However, excessive moisture, caused by excessive sweating, tight shoes and humid weather can lead to bacterial activity and this worsens the condition. Avoid socks and wear open shoes, use talcum powder and keep the feet as dry as possible.
(With agency imputs)
Tips
Use mosquito repellants
Wear full-sleeved clothes
Drink filtered water
Watch out for tick-borne diseases
Wash your feet after wading through muddy water
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