Skincare

Here are some common monsoon-related skin conditions we should be familiar with and how to deal with them

Heavy rains remind us of staying put at home, eating pakodas, sipping hot tea, umbrellas and lazy days. The rains bring not only a welcome respite from the scorching heat but they also bring a whole set of problems for your skin.

Long hours of staying in wet clothes, repeated immersion of feet in contaminated water and constant high environmental humidity cause a myriad of skin problems. Humidity is a very familiar breeding ground for a host of bacteria, fungi and other infections that grow on the skin unchecked. Also the high acid content of the first showers of rain cause further to the skin and various skin infections. Here are some common monsoonrelated conditions we should be familiar with and how to deal with them:
Fungal infection of the toes or toe web spaces – Athlete’s Foot
This problem is more common in men as they usually wear closed footwear. There is itching, scaling and discolouration of web spaces and the toenails may become discoloured or brittle. Prevention: Wear open footwear when out in the rain and change into dry socks and footwear when you get indoors. Always wash your feet with soap and water after exposure to puddles or rainwater. Apply anti-fungal dusting powder – Absorb prior to putting on socks and apply an anti-fungal ointment at night. If the condition does not improve, consult a dermatologist.
Fungal infection of other body parts especially skin folds – Ringworm or tinea
The skin feels itchy and round dry red skin patches are formed. This is more common in diabetics.Prevention: Visit a dermatologist at the earliest and avoid using steroid ointments as they give immediate relief, but a bad relapse later.
Infections caused by mites – Scabies
This causes intense itching especially at night and a rash in the finger web spaces and body folds. It is most common in children. Prevention: Consult your doctor for treatment. Also since it spreads by contact, isolate the person and his belongings. All family members need to be made aware of the disease.
Lice infestation of the scalp and body
Usually occurs in females when damp hair is tied for too long.
Prevention: Anti-lice treatments are available.
Acne and dandruff
Preventions: Regular hair wash with an anti-dandruff shampoo containing ketoconazole is good to keep the scalp dandruff free. Other bacterial infections of the skin are common as bacteria thrive well on the skin in this season. Apart from these diseases, there are usually many non-specific complaints like wrinkling of the skin, body odour, dull, lifeless complexion or frizzing of hair – all due to excess humidity.


    

Nutrition tips in managing waterborne diseases

Five nutrition tips to stay away from waterborne diseases this monsoon

1 Any microbial infection (bacterial), which is accompanied with fever should be treated with antibiotic therapy to kill the microorganisms, but nutritional support during this phase helps recover faster. 

2 Feed the diarrhoea and fever. Research indicates that even during diarrhoea the activity of digestive enzymes is intact and feeding helps in boosting the immunity and strength of the individual and helps in faster recovery. The form of food can be changed as per the person’s tolerance. Small frequent nutritional dense (more nutrients in less quantity) foods are recommended. 

3 The nutrients to be emphasised in all these stages in order of priority are – carbohydrates to provide energy and spare proteins for tissue building as all these states are catabolic in nature. In addition to this giving good quality protein through milk products like curds, paneer, and non-vegetarian options like eggs, fish or soya protein help in better utilisation of proteins in the body. Ensure the food is prepared in such a manner that it is easy to digest and evenly distributed throughout the day. Some options can be porridges, gruels, curd rice, soft puddings, custards, paneer sandwiches, shikran, shrikhand etc. 

4 Enhance the intake of immune boosting nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc, selenium and magnesium. Rainy season is marked with the availability of fruits like amla and guava that are loaded with pectin, vitamin C; bitter gourd – an excellent source of vitamin C; green leaves like patra, mayalu, chaulai, which are excellent sources of Vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, magnesium and calcium. An add on of sprouts, nuts and oilseeds can take care of selenium, zinc, magnesium. 

5 It is a good idea to use medium chain triglycerides, which are dairy fats like homemade ghee, butter, cream, as they are easy to digest and add to the total caloric intake. It has a lot of importance in individuals recovering from states like diarrhoea, jaundice and typhoid as the person has a poor appetite but yet needs calories and nutrient density to recover faster.


    

Social rejection linked to poor physical health

Says a recent study

People who are socially rejected and isolated tend to have poor physical health, and die sooner than people who have the support of others, according to a new study. 

“People who feel lonely and excluded tend to have poor physical health,” said Nathan Dewall, a psychologist at the University of Kentucky. They don’t sleep well, their immune systems sputter, and they even tend to die sooner than people who are surrounded by others who care about them. People with depression may face exclusion more often because of the symptoms of their disorder and being rejected makes them more depressed, said DeWall. A feeling of exclusion can also contribute to suicide.

Body Basics

‘I have a tendency to lose weight easily’

...so actor Purab Kohli focusses on his diet and makes sure not to overdo cardio exercises

MY EXERCISE REGIME 

I work out everyday but my workout keeps changing. Of late, I’ve built into the character I’m playing. So with each character, I imagine what body type he would be and then plan my workouts to achieve that. If the character demands high intensity cardio and weights, I will be at the gym for two hours. If it is a rural character, then I opt for outdoor sports, rope climbing, running for a more natural definition. 

MY PROBLEM AREAS 

Luckily I don’'t have any problem areas, but that’s because I am always active. I am either playing a sport or at the gym. I do, however, have a tendency to lose weight very easily. So I have to focus on my diet and make sure I don’t overdo cardio exercises. 

MY STRENGTHS 

I think it’s my stamina. Fitness has been an integral part of my life, so over a period of time I have built resistance and stamina. That works in my favour when I am experimenting with my fitness routines. I enjoy physical activity so I don’t know if that makes me a fitness freak. 

MY DIET 

It completely depends on my mood. I go through phases. There are some days where I only eat vegetarian food and on the others, I eat everything. Sometimes, when I have to, I prepare my body for a certain character and bulk up on protein. I do have a sweet tooth and love ice-creams, cakes and mithais. But I avoid overeating, and if I do, then I spend an extra 15 minutes on the treadmill. 

Frizzy hair giving trouble?

Try these homemade masks to get frizz-free tresses

Taming frizzy hair can be one herculean task, especially during the rainy season. Going to a salon to maintain those tresses is not a feasible idea, considering the dent it creates in your wallet. Try the following homemade treatments to get frizz free hair days. 

• Mayonnaise Mask: Mayo can not just accompany your burger or sandwich but is also a brilliant option to remove frizzy hair locks. Take half a cup of mayo and apply to your hair starting from roots to ends. The smell of mayo can sure be a problem, so it’s best you mix about 2 or 3 drops of scented oil to it. After applying this, wrap your hair in a shower cap keeping it on for about fifteen minutes. Shampoo and rinse once done. 

• Honey Mask: Since honey contains humectants, it is known to treat damaged hair. Moreover, thanks to it’s scent, after applying honey the hair smells nice. Mix about 1/3 cup of honey along with 2 tbsp of either olive or almond oil. Apply the mixture from though your hair and then wrap your hair in a shower cap. Rinse after thirty minutes.