Summer is here now, and with the scorching heat comes a myriad of diseases that can affect you or your near and dear ones too. If you wish to enjoy this vibrant season, it is important that you exercise some precautions to keep these common diseases at bay. So, what exactly do you need to prep yourself for? Well, in this article we shall be discussing some common summer diseases that you must be aware of!
8 Common Diseases in the Summer Season
While cold and cough usually affect us in the winter months, heatstroke and food poisoning can create havoc in the summer season, and there are several diseases that are common in the summer time than any other season during the year. The best resort to evade these ailments is by taking preventive measures and being aware of the condition before it strikes you. Here is a summer diseases list that you should be aware of:
1. Heat Stroke
If you are out in the sun for long and you experience weakness, dizziness, headache, skin dryness, cramps, shallow breathing, increased heart rate or other such symptoms, there is a strong likelihood that you may be suffering from a bout of heat stroke. Though this condition can be easily managed, if your condition deteriorates or the symptoms become severe, it may lead to a coma.
What Can You Do
As much as possible, refrain from stepping out during the peak heat hours that is from 12 PM to 4 PM. However, if you have to step out, make sure you cover yourself adequately but do not go overboard with it as it can trap the body heat inside and make the condition worse. Try and stay in cooler places rather than roaming out in the hot sun.
2. Sunburns
When you expose yourself to the sun for an extended duration, the harmful ultraviolet rays or UV rays can penetrate your delicate skin leading to a condition called sunburns. This condition is characterised by itchy, dry and red skin that can be accompanied by nausea, fever or chills. In cases, where the burns are severe the blisters may appear too, and the skin may peel once the condition subsides.
What Can You Do:
You can apply a good sunscreen lotion with a stronger SPF about 20 minutes before getting out in the sun. Also, make sure that the skin is moisturised properly.
3. Prickly Heat
One of the most common skin diseases during the summer is prickly heat. This condition can affect kids as well as adults. The red rashes on the skin can be extremely discomforting and can cause excessive itching too. This condition arises when a person sweats profusely, and the sweaty clothes keep getting rubbed against the skin causing rashes and itching.
What Can You Do
To beat summer diseases in India, you must keep your skin dry. Make sure sweaty clothes are changed, and apply any good prickly heat powder to keep the skin dry. Cornstarch works well for keeping the skin dry.
4. Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is another disease that spreads during the summer season and can occur by eating contaminated food or water. This condition may trigger when you eat food that has been in contact with various kinds of viruses, bacteria or toxins. The symptoms of the disease include vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, stomach pain, etc.
What Can You Do
Make sure you consume fresh home-cooked meals. Refrain from having food from the street vendors especially where you are not sure of the source of raw materials. If you wish to relish outside food, go to hygienic places to eat.
5. Chicken Pox
One of the most deadly summer diseases during the summer is pox or chicken pox. This viral condition manifests as small fluid-filled blisters all over the body. This condition usually affects small children; however, sometimes adults who are diabetic, have a weakened immune system, have cancer or other such conditions may get affected too. This contagious disease spreads through air-borne particles that are spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes or if the caregiver comes in direct with the infected person. Sometimes the infection may stay dormant until the apt weather conditions arise to support the infection.
What Can You Do
The best you can do is to get a chicken pox shot and prevent yourself from being around the infected person.
6. Jaundice
Another deadly disease that you need to watch out for during the summer months is jaundice. This condition may affect anyone who consumes contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A virus gets into the body through the faeces-oral route, and this happens when you consume water or food that is contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. This condition can become severe and affect the liver too. The main symptoms of jaundice include yellowish skin, pale eyes, dark-coloured urine, itchy skin, etc.
What Can You Do
One of the most effective ways to keep this infection at bay is by avoiding the exposure to this kind of infection. Maintaining a healthy weight, managing your cholesterol levels and putting a limit to your alcohol consumption may help in preventing the condition.
7. Acne
Are you experiencing a sudden bout of acne and you cannot blame it on your fluctuating hormones or other evident conditions? Well, there are strong chances that it may be because of the hot weather. Yes, summers can increase your chances of acne and pimples. This is because, in order to keep your body cool, it produces more sweat. Excess production of sweat triggers the sebaceous glands to produce more oil to keep the skin moist, thus causing clogged pores and skin eruptions.
What Can You Do
Washing your face a couple of times a day may help in keeping your skin oil-free. Applying homemade face pack with curd, lemon juice and turmeric can help ward off acne.
8. Sore Eyes
If you get up with red blood-shot eyes that are swollen and you experience pain in the eyes, chances are you have sore eye disease or conjunctivitis. This is a communicable disease, and if one person has it in the house, everyone may get it.
What Can You Do
It is important to wash your hands before touching the eyes. Washing the infected eye or eyes with cold water several times a day may provide relief.
These are some common conditions that can affect you during the summer months. Brace yourself for the summers by following simple preventive measures and keep all these problems at bay.
