As the monsoon season peaks and we get over the initial excitement of torrential showers, a number of maladies related to monsoon comes to light. Water- and air-borne parasites can escalate common problems such as a cold or flu to serious problems such as typhoid, malaria or chikungunya, amongst others, in just a matter of days. These are entirely avoidable, though, if you keep your skin, hair and health in check, by following these simple precautionary tips to avoid getting seriously sick
FOR YOUR SKIN
Keep your skin moist
Use soap-free cleansers or good scrubs to keep your skin moist. Do not let your skin get dehydrated. It is important as hydrated skin protects us from UV radiation, micro-organisms, and toxic elements. Here are three ways of keeping your skin hydrated and moist – drink plenty of water, eat natural organic food and use natural skin care products.
Apply sunscreen even though it’s cloudy outside
It’s a myth that our skin needs sun protection only in summers. Even if you cannot see the sun in the cloudy weather, it does not mean that the UV rays are any less harmful to your skin.
Avoid heavy dark makeup; go for light waterproof makeup
Applying too much of makeup blocks pores and invites more bacterial infection. Don’t stress your skin with heavy and dark makeup, prefer keeping it simple and natural and definitely with waterproof products for the monsoon season.
Use lukewarm water to clean your face and body
Keep a habit of washing your face, hands, and legs with lukewarm water immediately after coming back home. Follow a clean routine to avoid any bacterial infection.
Keep away from facials and bleaching
Avoid doing facials and bleaching to your face as it makes your skin rough and dry in monsoon. You need to keep your skin and body hydrated throughout the year, so avoid such activities on a regular basis.
FOR YOUR HAIR
Protect your hair from the rains
Of course, it is next to impossible to not get wet in this pouring rain, but try washing your hair once you’re back home with mild shampoos. Yes, rains are considered to be purest form of water, but when your hair gets wet in rains while travelling, you cannot immediately dry it until you reach home which may weaken your hair roots.
Prefer using conditioner in this season
Use gentle shampoos to wash your hair and do not forget to condition your hair during monsoon. Conditioning helps to keep your hair from getting dry and frizzy. So try washing your hair daily to keep it clean and conditioned.
Oil your scalp to avoid itchiness
Massaging your scalp with oil is best remedy to lessen itchiness of the scalp due to humidity. As our hair gets dry and frizzy in monsoon, prefer massaging it with hot oil twice or thrice a week to keep it nourished and avoid dryness.
Avoid colouring your hair this season
Don’t stress your hair with more colours and chemicals than it can keep up with. Keep it natural, and wait for a drier climate to start experimenting with colours.
FOR YOUR HEALTH
Drink plenty of water
Keep yourself hydrated all the time. As keeping yourself hydrated is not only good for your skin but lack of water does not let your body function properly either. Keep a habit of drinking two litres (eight litres) of water daily.
Wash your fruits and vegetables properly
Thoroughly wash your fruits and vegetables as this is the medium of all diseases to enter human body this season, especially worms that carry bacteria. When it comes to leafy vegetables, wash it thoroughly as they tend to contain maximum amount of insects and worms.
Do not walk barefooted or in wet shoes
Do not walk barefooted or in wet shoes especially diabetes patient as it may lead to some skin infections or body pain. As the rate of bacterial infections is highest in monsoon avoid getting in direct contact with it.
Avoid eating uncooked food as well as street food
Fungal bacteria are mainly found in uncooked food opt for steamed and properly cooked food instead. So avoid eating uncooked food like salads etc. Similarly, try controlling your hunger for street side pani puri and vada pav. Prefer eating at hygienic places. As water is most contaminated during this season, avoid eating food from open vendors as you cannot trust the quality of any product.
Volume 5 Issue 2
