"After Coming Home on a Rainy Day, Go Straight to the Bathroom"... Skin Disease Warning

Increased Risk of Dermatitis and Athlete's Foot During the Monsoon Season
Prevention Possible by Washing Thoroughly and Drying Completely

As heavy rain pours nationwide, the rainy season is expected to continue until next week with more downpours forecasted.

On such days, if rainwater or sweat is not properly washed off, various skin diseases can occur due to impurities or bacterial infections, so thorough prevention and care are necessary.

Contact dermatitis is an inflammation that occurs when the skin is exposed to irritants above a certain concentration for a prolonged period. Especially during the hot and humid rainy season, the skin's protective barrier can be damaged by rainwater mixed with impurities or sweat, making contact dermatitis more likely to develop.

The main symptoms of contact dermatitis include ▲erythema ▲swelling ▲blisters ▲oozing, and in severe cases, the skin may peel off, so caution is required.

To prevent contact dermatitis, it is important to avoid contact with rainwater or puddles as much as possible when going outside. In particular, during summer, many people wear shoes that expose the skin, such as sandals or slippers, so if the skin comes into contact with rainwater, it should be washed immediately after returning home and thoroughly dried.

Athlete's foot is also common during the rainy season. It is an infection caused by dermatophytes infecting the skin's keratin and mainly occurs in people in their 20s to 40s. Depending on the type, symptoms of athlete's foot may include ▲oozing ▲foul odor ▲discoloration of fingernails or toenails ▲itchiness.

Recently, the fashion of wearing rain boots barefoot during the rainy season has become popular, but this is not good for preventing athlete's foot. Rain boots do not ventilate well, causing sweat and moisture to accumulate easily on the feet, increasing the likelihood of athlete's foot.

Therefore, to prevent athlete's foot, it is recommended to wear socks before putting on rain boots. Also, if moisture accumulates on the feet or socks, they should be changed regularly, and after returning home, feet should be washed clean and dried thoroughly. Leaving rain boots wet can promote bacterial growth, so it is best to wipe the inside with a towel to remove moisture before reuse.