Monsoon months bring with them a host of health problems; skin infections being one of them. Due to the dampness in the air, fungal infections are a plenty. We asked Dr Mohan Thomas, Cosmetic Surgeon for Breach Candy Hospital, to tell us how best one can avoid skin infections.

“The first rule would be to stay dry,” Dr. Thomas says. Try to hit the shower immediately after you come back from the rains. It will be a good idea to keep a spare set of clothes at work. “Wet skin tends to catch infections very rapidly,” he says. Avoid getting wet in the rain since the water could be acidic thanks to the pollution in cities like Mumbai and Delhi.

Another way to keep infections at bay would be by using a good scrub to exfoliate your skin every couple of weeks.

Signs to Watch Out for: Fungal infections can affect various parts of the body like the scalp, skin, nails and even genitals. Watch out for itching, discolouration, flaking of skin and burning sensation. 

You can keep skin infections at bay by cleansing your skin regularly with a mild cleanser. Avoid ones with harsh chemicals and astringents as they could make your skin dry. “Apart from that, you could dust your feet with anti-fungal powder,” Dr. Thomas says.

Home Remedies for Fungal Infections: The most common remedy for fungal infections in general is yogurt (curd), since it has acidophilus bacteria. These bacteria produce hydrogen peroxide which neutralizes the Ph level and kills the Candida albicans (fungus). Simply apply it on the affected parts.

Garlic also has acidic properties that help in killing the fungus. Apply coconut or olive oil on the affected parts along with garlic extract.

A mixture of turmeric powder and water along with oils such as lavender, oregano and garlic is an excellent remedy for fungal infection in nails.

Tea tree oil is a good solution to cure infections on your feet.

A diet rich in greens and fruits along with yogurt and lot of water will go a long way to help cure fungal infections.

These are just basic guidelines to infection-free skin during the monsoon months. If the condition persists for more than a week, visit a dermatologist.