How to deal with dermatitis after floods

Doctor Le Thi Mai - Deputy Head of the Line Command Department, Central Dermatology Hospital said that flood water can cause people who are exposed and soaked for a long time to suffer from skin diseases such as contact dermatitis, skin fungus infections, skin diseases due to trauma and skin diseases caused by insect bites... Meanwhile,floods make life difficult for everyoneaccess to specialized medical facilities and medications.

Dr. Mai recommends that people use rubber boots and gloves to limit skin contact with dirty water, avoiding making skin diseases worse. The body, dirty clothes and bed sheets need to be cleaned and washed as soon as clean water is available, do not wear damp clothes. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and alcohol-based cleaning solution, clean all cuts and scratches with antiseptic solution and then bandage immediately. These are the simplest ways to reduce skin diseases while people cannot access medical facilities for treatment.

The most important thing to consider in flooded areas after the water recedes is environmental sanitation to prevent disease. In the photo: Heavy rain caused flooding in Chau Nhan commune, Hung Nguyen district on October 21, 2020. Photo courtesy of QA

For skin fungus, avoid wearing damp clothes and do not use products containing corticosteroids. People with contact dermatitis should not use iodine alcohol. Do not use leaves or tobacco, products of unknown origin because they can make the disease worse.

"The most important thing is to clean the injured area with clean water when there are no specialized medicines available," Dr. Mai emphasized.

There are skin soothing products available at home such as moisturizers to soothe skin inflammation. In addition, bandages are also essential in every family's medicine cabinet, especially during flood season, to treat initial wounds when it is not possible to go to a medical facility immediately.

In addition to dermatology, people can suffer from respiratory diseases due to humid environments, unsanitary living conditions, poor health, digestive diseases... Doctor Mai recommends cleaning wounds thoroughly, not using flood water or well water, but using tap water to clean the body.

Dr. Mai recommends going to a medical facility as soon as possible for timely treatment. Avoid ignoring skin diseases, leaving them untreated can cause complications. A very minor skin disease can also flare up with very severe systemic symptoms when infected.