Dryness in Monsoon

The rains can bring on a rash of concerns. Here's a checklist to help you enjoy the romance of the rains. Health problems come down on us with the monsoon rains. With a little planning, caution and forward thinking, you can steer clear of those puddles and enjoy the rain.


Enjoy the romance of the rains
The rains often send stomach health packing. So do cases of acute viral hepatitis, which can go up as much as three times as compared to winter and summer.

Most of these problems are caused by germs that thrive during this season. Be careful about sweets like Cadbury and beverages like almond milk. Avoid salads and cut fruits if you are eating out. Make sure the cottage cheese you picked up, is cooked within 24 hours (even if you refrigerate it). At home, get the water filter or Reverse Osmosis (RO) system serviced to make sure it can filter out mischief-makers. Follow the instructions of the filter company before you use this water. Most advise you to throw the first container of filtered water away after servicing.
Another tip from doctors: wash your hands as often as you can with an antibacterial soap like Dettol.
Dryness in monsoon
The medicine chest
Don't forget to ask your doctor to prescribe anti-diarrhea medicines for an overnight attack. Keep fresh oral dehydration salts (ORS) packets at hand. Stock up on antispasmodics and antacids, since muggy weather can make digestion sluggish.

Eye care
With rains there is a spike in cases of conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers. Rainwater is not as pure as it used to be. With rising pollution, it is turning more acidic.

Buy a raincoat for your child before the monsoons
Be particularly careful about hygiene to stop the spread of conjunctivitis. Wash towels and handkerchiefs regularly. Be careful not to share towels. Wash your hands frequently, especially before you touch your face. If you wear contact lenses, clean them carefully every day. This is also a time for fungal infections that thrive on moist skin. So dry your toes out, and brush with powder, especially if you are diabetic.


Avoid cut fruits from the roadside vendor
If you commute by public transport, get yourself appropriate rainwear. Cotton would soak in the water, so you may prefer fabrics like synthetics that dry fast. Colors matter. Lighter colors show up water stains and your contours, so a darker palette would be preferable. If you get wet, cotton dresses and denim trousers take long to dry. Opt for synthetic trouser on a rainy day.

Delicate leather sandals can snap if they get wet. Pick up waterproof or at least water-resistant footwear and bags. If you do get wet, dry up fast and sip something warm. Keep away from an air-conditioned room till you are dry and comfortable. Don't self medicate? If you believe that frequent sneezing is just a sign of things to come, reach out to your doctor.

The healthy home
* Check on raingear before the rains strike. Do you have enough umbrellas for the family, including the domestic help? If your child goes to school by bus, invest in both an umbrella and rain coat. If you live in a locality that suffers water logging, you may check out gumboots for children. Put in a small hand towel in your child's schoolbag.
* Check out your roof and storm water drains before the rains. If necessary, have the drainage cleaned out. Make sure doors and windows fit well.
* Make sure the neighborhood garbage dump is cleared regularly. Accumulated wet garbage can attract all sorts of germs and parasites.
* Make sure the water tank is covered tight so that no rain water drips in. Empty out coolers (if not in use) and buckets; they are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Monsoon problems
The larder
If this isn't the time for eat outside stuff, no other season is! However, food gets damp, stale and attracts insects in the rains. So, buy smaller quantities of flour, wheat flour, gram flour and pulses. If you need to buy large quantities, buy several small packets. Open the second only when the first has been used up.
Bring plants indoors or tip the water out regularly.

The garden
This is the part of the home that needs least attention during the rains. Make sure no water collects in the pots. Increase drainage in the soil while repotting, and add sand and leaf mould to allow the water to drain out. Till you can do that, bring the plant indoors or tip the water out regularly, or even slip a pebble under the pot to tilt it. There are some, though, that may not enjoy the rains. These include cacti and succulents, which must be protected from rain.

The family pet
Just as you catch a cold more easily this season, so do animals. Keep your pet as dry as possible.
If she does get wet, dry the coat vigorously and use a prescribed pet powder and brush to dry. De-tick and groom your dog more regularly than in any other season.
With all these precautions, you'll have lots of happy reasons to sit back and enjoy the pitter patter of raindrops!