Summer is practically knocking on our door and, along with it, several diseases typical of the season too. It is horrible to face the most awaited season of the year – for many – in this way, but let’s agree that none of this is a lie.
Think about this: how many times have you had a bad feeling due to the intense heat or by eating that churros by the beach that didn’t go well? Situations like these happen mainly due to the lack of care we have with our body.
And not only that, because we often end up eating food from places that we don’t even know where it comes from.
The high temperature together with the humid air, present in several regions, helps in the proliferation of pathogens characteristic of several diseases, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. In addition, due to these high temperatures, UV rays reach our bodies in greater intensity, increasing the risks of skin diseases.
Check below what are the most common diseases to appear in the summer, as well as ways to prevent them.
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Dehydration
That it is essential to drink about 2 liters of water daily, everyone already knows. However, in the hottest days, this water intake is practically mandatory, as it is necessary to replace the amount of fluids and minerals that the body loses in the course of hours.
Normally, about 2.5 liters of water per day are eliminated by the human body through sweat, saliva, urine and feces, but in the summer this amount may be even greater, due to excessive sweating or recurrent vomiting and diarrhea of some kind. intoxication.
Mycoses
Anyone can contract a ringworm if they do not pay attention to the care. Frequently damp places on the body, such as between the toes and the folds of the body, such as the armpit and groin, are quite susceptible to these infections.
Caused by fungi, mycoses can be prevented through healthy hygiene habits. An example of this is drying yourself well after bathing, not walking barefoot in damp places and avoiding excessive use of closed shoes.
Athlete’s foot (cold)
Perhaps the best known of all mycoses, athlete’s foot – or chilblains , as it is popularly known – is characterized by bubbles or cracks caused by fungi that lodge between the toes, the sides, the sole and the toenails. For the treatment of the disease, it is necessary to use ointments or antifungal medications, depending on whether the ringworm is recent or not cured.
Dermatophytosis
The ringworm is a superficial skin infection characterized by white spots or red that have clear edges and may have crusting in some cases. It can reach any part of the human body, but its greatest occurrence is in areas of folds, such as the armpit and groin.
Treatment is based on topical antifungals.
Pitiríase versicolor (white cloth)
Common skin ringworm, pityriasis versicolor is caused by fungi that already inhabit the human body. The infection usually occurs due to factors such as, for example, oily skin and excessive perspiration and its main characteristic is patches of different colors – white, pink, orange and brown are the most common.
Like the other mycoses mentioned, antifungal drugs are used as treatment.
Geographic bug
Who has never heard that a dog on the beach sand can give a geographic animal that throws the first stone. This phrase, often said by parents or grandparents, is completely true.
This is due to the fact that, at times, the feces of these animals can be contaminated with the larva Ancylostoma caninum , which causes the disease. And, once in contact with it, symptoms such as itching and red lesions may appear.
As a preventive measure against the disease, it is suggested not to walk barefoot in these environments.
Food poisoning
Of viral or bacterial origin, food poisoning comes from poor preservation or preparation of certain foods, such as canned goods and meats that require longer cooking times – pork, for example. Generally, the most common symptoms of intoxication are vomiting, diarrhea, fever and dehydration.
If you are going to travel, stay tuned to where you are going to eat. Also, always pay attention to the consistency, aroma and odor of the food and avoid food from street vendors.
Airborne diseases
With hot and humid days, several microorganisms proliferate more easily, thus causing a higher incidence of some diseases. Are they:
Conjunctivitis
The conjunctivitis is characterized by inflammation of the conjunctiva, transparent membrane covering the eyeball and the inside of the eyelid, and is the main cause of the diverse viruses. However, it can be caused it can also be of bacterial or allergic origin. Due to the drier climate, the disease develops more easily in the summer.
In the case of viral or bacterial conjunctivitis , medications can be prescribed in order to treat the disease.
To prevent it, washing your hands well before touching your eyes and avoid sharing personal items is highly recommended.
Impetigo
One of the most common dermatoses in children, impetigo is an infectious and contagious disease caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus . As symptoms, it may present lesions in the superficial layers of the skin, which may be bullous or non-bullous, or present ectimas, that is, lesions that affect the deeper layers of the skin.
For prevention, the ideal is not to have direct contact with wounds or contaminated objects, as the disease can easily be transmitted from one person to others.
Dengue
The Dengue is a disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and can be fatal if not treated properly and early way. Some of its most common symptoms are extreme tiredness , high fever, severe headache and loss of appetite.
The disease is not transmissible from person to person, so the best ways to prevent it are to eliminate the outbreaks of mosquito proliferation, such as standing water in plant pots, tires and old bottles.
Hepatitis A
Through polluted water, the virus that causes Hepatitis A can proliferate and spread more easily in the environment. The disease has symptoms like nausea and vomiting, besides turning the skin and eyes yellow (jaundice).
To prevent it, it is necessary to take the respective vaccine, but it has not yet been included in the annual vaccination calendar of the Ministry of Health.
Leptospirosis
The leptospirosis is a bacterial infectious disease transmitted by rat urine and affects mainly the kidneys, liver, brain and lungs.
Its treatment is done with hydration of the body and the use of antibiotics . When it evolves to a more severe condition, hospitalization is necessary.
The most basic way of preventing the disease is the practice of basic hygiene measures, both in person and in objects that are used repeatedly.
Consequences of excessive sun
Spending hours “toasting” in the sun to get that much desired bronze can have serious consequences. The rays UVA and UVB, when in large quantities can harm our skin extremely, especially when the person has allergies to the sun or little melanin in your body.
Among the consequences that the sun can cause on human skin are:
Insolation
Due to the prolonged exposure to the sun, the body suffers a disturbance in its temperature mechanism and causes a general malaise in the person, which may include symptoms such as high fever, dry and reddish skin, shortness of breath and nausea.
To avoid this, avoid sunbathing between 10 am and 4 pm and apply sunscreen 15 minutes before leaving, reapplying it every 2 hours.
Skin cancer
The cancer skin is the type of cancer that affects more people around the world and can be of two types: melanoma , that is, that originates from melanocytes – melanin-producing cells – and non- melanoma .
For prevention, it is recommended to use sunscreen and accessories such as a hat and sunglasses, as they provide extra protection to the skin.
Brotoeja
Due to the excessive heat and the natural elimination of fluids from the body, excessive sweating is very common. However, when the sweating is not done properly, or the individual is making use of creams or closed clothes, the sweat glands become obstructed, causing a rash known as prickly heat .
To prevent it, wear light, cotton clothes, as well as spray / gel sunscreen, as they do not leave your skin oily.
Phytophotodermatoses
As in the case of the geographic animal, you have probably heard someone warn you about handling lemon and going out in the sun without washing your hand. This is because dark spots actually appear when handling citrus fruits and the skin is exposed to the sun shortly thereafter. Even though many people believe that the concern on top of that is just aesthetics, these blemishes can damage the skin and accelerate aging.
To prevent this from happening to you, always remember to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling fruits such as lemon, orange and passion fruit.
Otitis
The summer, sun and heat combo is an explicit invitation to take that dip in the pool or in the sea, isn’t it? And that is why it is good to be aware of the accumulation of water that is in the ear canal, because through it an inflammation or infection can arise – otitis .
Simple habits can be avoided so that such a consequence does not occur, such as not exaggerating time in immersion activities and suspending contact with water as soon as the first signs of pain appear.
Information and tips given, it’s time to put them into practice and enjoy the season! Share this text with friends and make sure they have a summer as healthy as you will be!
