Four skin conditions to watch out for during the humid season when mold and bacteria thrive

Four skin conditions to watch out for during the rainy season

(Above is the original text)

 

Four skin conditions to watch out for during the humid season when mold and bacteria thrive

 

Skin conditions to watch out for during the rainy season are athlete's foot, eczema, and contact dermatitis.

 

 

Four skin conditions to watch out for during the humid season when mold and bacteria thrive

Yudae-hyeong, Health Chosun reporter

 

Input 2020/07/26 12:00

 

 

 

During the hot and humid rainy season, mold and bacteria become highly active, causing skin diseases./Provided by Getty Images Bank

During the rainy season, clothes and shoes are soaked with rain and sweat. With an average temperature of 23-24°C and humidity fluctuating between 80-90%, the rainy season is the 'optimal time' for mold and bacteria that thrive in hot and humid environments.

 

The skin suffers the most from the two lively pathogens. Professor Lee Hyun-kyung of the Department of Dermatology at Nowon Eulji University Hospital said, "When the skin gets wet with water, the protective barrier is damaged, increasing the irritation from various chemicals and impurities," and "This creates an environment conducive to the proliferation of fungi and bacteria, leading to the occurrence or worsening of skin diseases." There are four main skin conditions to be cautious of during the rainy season.

 

1. Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)

 

Athlete's foot is a skin condition caused by dermatophyte infection on the feet, accounting for about 40% of all cases. The ideal conditions for dermatophyte growth are 'high temperature, high humidity, and enclosed space.' During the rainy season, these conditions are all met, making athlete's foot more easily transmissible, and those already infected may experience more severe symptoms. Symptoms vary among individuals but typically include intense itching between the toes and on the soles of the feet, with the areas between the toes becoming inflamed or blistered, and in severe cases, oozing may occur.

 

If you address the issue before it reaches this stage, applying ointment can prevent it from worsening. However, if the condition is severe, ointments are unlikely to be effective. You should visit a dermatologist and receive appropriate treatment, including oral medication. Professor Lee Hyun-kyung said, "During the rainy season, if your shoes get wet, use appliances like a dryer to remove moisture or insert newspaper deep inside the shoes for storage," and added, "It's also a good idea to have multiple pairs of shoes that you wear regularly and alternate between them."

 

② Wanseon (Gobu Baekseon)

 

Complete ring with tinea corporis appearing on both groins often occurs when dermatophytes from athlete's foot spread to the groin area. It mainly occurs in men because, due to their body structure, this area tends to be enclosed, creating conditions similar to those of the feet.

 

Wansundo tends to develop or worsen during the rainy season, with clearly defined red skin lesions appearing in the groin area that gradually increase in size. It is accompanied by itching, and in severe cases, oozing may occur. It is recommended to wear well-ventilated, highly absorbent underwear and avoid prolonged sitting positions. Similar to athlete's foot, early symptoms may improve with topical antifungal ointments, but if the condition has already progressed, a visit to a dermatologist for treatment is necessary.

 

③Ganchaljin

 

It is an inflammatory dermatitis that occurs in areas where two skin surfaces come into contact. Friction between the two skin surfaces, along with high temperature and humid environment, damages the skin barrier, causing redness, cracking, and sometimes itching or burning sensations. It can occur anywhere on the skin where surfaces touch, such as neck folds, bent areas of the elbows, behind the knees, between fingers, under the breasts, groin, buttocks, and between toes. Secondary infection with fungi or bacteria in these areas can worsen the symptoms.

 

It commonly occurs during the rainy season and summer, especially among obese individuals. Professor Lee Hyun-kyung said, "While applying powder to the skin can prevent friction, in cases of severe inflammation or secondary infection, an accurate diagnosis and treatment are necessary."

 

④Irritant contact dermatitis

 

Rain contains not only water but also various pollutants present in the atmosphere, which can irritate the skin. Additionally, if the rainwater flows or pools on the street, impurities from the road surface can mix in, making it even more irritating to the skin.

 

Especially, if these substances are left on the skin for a long time without rinsing after contact with rainwater, they can penetrate the damaged skin barrier caused by moisture and lead to irritation, resulting in an inflammatory response. Skin lesions can appear in various forms, but most are accompanied by itching. They manifest as irregularly shaped red spots of different sizes scattered across the skin, and in severe cases, they can appear all over the body. Professor Lee Hyun-kyung stated, "In the early stages, washing the body thoroughly and applying steroid hormone ointments can improve the condition, but if itching or skin lesions are severe, you should seek treatment from a specialist."

 

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the foot, causing severe itching between the toes and on the soles, with the skin between the toes becoming cracked or blisters forming on the soles.

 

Complete ringworm is a fungal infection that appears on both sides of the groin, often caused by dermatophytes transferred from the feet of athletes foot patients to the groin area.

 

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