Rising mercury causing skin infections, say doctors

Mumbai: The humidity, ultraviolet (UV) radiation and soaring temperatures have caused a 50 per cent rise in skin infections, claim city-based doctors of state and civic-run hospitals. The doctors said that the scorching sun and high humidity levels cause one to sweat a lot, and this causes skin ailments like excessive itching, fungal infection, pigmentation and much more, especially due to wearing tight jeans.

The doctors are witnessing a rise in the number of patients suffering from ailments like ringworm, photo ageing and other skin-related problems.

Talking to The Asian Age, Dr Ratnakar Kamat from the J.J. Hospital said, “Of the 80 to 100 patients who visited the hospital in the past two weeks, most came in with cases of allergies and skin infections.”

“Last year, we had 5-7 per cent of cases, but this year we have noted a rise. This year, we have 10-15 per cent. In a day, we are seeing almost 20 patients suffering from Sun allergy,” he said.

Dr Kamat also highlighted that these infections usually spread because people use any cream by simply asking the pharmacist when they get an infection. The problem then aggravates and the infection increases. Also, while shopping, many people try out clothes before buying them. So, if a person who has a skin infection has tried out an outfit, it can then spread to another person who tries out same garment.