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It’s monsoon time in India and while the showers of the monsoon are a welcome relief from the sweltering heat, the season is also associated with hordes of diseases that one needs to protect oneself against. It is a well known medical fact that monsoons reduce the immunity of our body and make us susceptible to infections.
The common diseases that are associated with the monsoon season are malaria, dengue, gastro intestinal infections and eye flue. Viral infections such as cold and cough also abound in the monsoon season. It is necessary that we boost our immunity with a well supplemented diet and take the necessary precautions against the diseases prevalent during monsoons.
Out of the diseases mentioned above, the most life threatening diseases are dengue fever and malaria. As a precautionary measure against mosquito bite, one should use mosquito net around the bed, use mosquito repellents like mats and coils and apply a mosquito repellent cream when one is away from home.
One can also fumigate the house with the smoke of dried leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica) for a few minutes in the evening to keep the mosquitoes away. Do not allow water to get accumulated around your house. This may become a breeding area for mosquitoes.
The gastrointestinal diseases during monsoon are usually caused due to the pollution of drinking water. Drink filtered water or boiled water at home. Make sure that you carry along mineral water of government certified companies with you when you are traveling or are away from home.
One also needs to protect oneself from fungal infections during the rainy season. The high humidity levels during the monsoons leads to dampness that can cause fungal infections. Therefore, one needs to keep oneself dry and clean during the monsoon season.
Since the fungal infections usually affect the feet, one needs to keep one’s toes and nails dry and clean. Diabetics need to take special care of their feet during monsoons. The ayurvedic remedy of fumigating one’s clothes with the fumes of dry neem leaves during this season also keeps fungal infections at bay.
Our digestive systems get weakened during the monsoon season. It is recommended to increase the intake of easily digestible foods such as salted soups, rice, whole wheat and water mixed with little honey during the monsoon season. It is recommended that one increases the intake of food items that facilitate digestion. One should always eat warm food and try to add a little ginger in one’s food as it facilitates digestion and also strengthens the digestive system.
One should avoid over physical exertion during this season. Drink lots of water and avoid eating uncooked or raw food. Wash vegetables thoroughly before cooking them. Avoid eating outside home, especially from the roadsides.
Here are a few useful tips to keep oneself healthy and protect oneself against various infections during the monsoons:
- Apply castor oil or sesame oil for cracked feet and skin.
- Drink a glass of warm water mixed with a tea spoon of honey on empty stomach to flush out toxins.
- Use a paste of turmeric and neem for fungal infection between toes.
- Fumigate your home with the smoke of burnt neem leaves to rid it of mosquitoes
- Use a soap free cleanser and a gentle scrub once a day on your facial skin
- Use a toner for your facial skin as excess humidity opens up the skin pores which leads to skin problems such as acne.
- Use a high SPF sunscreen, suited for Indian summer, even when it is cloudy
- Drink the usual 8-10 glasses of water.
- Get a pedicure once a week to keep your feet neat and free from toe nail fungal infections.
- For your hair, use shampoo twice or thrice a week along with proper conditioning
- Keep the scalp dry to avoid fungal and bacterial infections on the scalp
- Do not use hair gels and sprays as they may cause further damage to your hair
- Oil your hair once a week but wash your hair well as residue oil can attract dust and grime that can lead to scalp infections.
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