Skin diseases on the rise

Karachi: With scorching heat and suffocation there is a rise in the incidence of skin diseases namely miliaria rubra and fungal skin infections in Karachi.

Senior Dermatologist at the Institute of Skin Diseases Sindh (ISDS), Dr Qamar Iqbal Chandio said that miliaria rubra and fungal skin infections cases are on the rise in Karachi city due to scorching heat and suffocation. He informed that good number patients with these two diseases visits hospital on a daily basis for treatment. He said miliaria rubra can cause great discomfort for patients.  
He informed that prevention and treatment of miliaria primarily consists of controlling heat and humidity so that sweating is not stimulated. He said separate towel, maintaining hygiene and proper food helps to reduce the risk of developing skin infections among people in hot weather.

Dr Qamar explained that people suffering from diabetes may face more severity and complications in case of having miliaria rubra and fungal skin infections due to scorching heat.  He stressed the need of proper control of diabetes to prevent from skin diseases complications.
He said any kind of slackness in treatment might further complicate the skin infections. He warned the people to avoid applying homemade ointment and cream without the consultation of a dermatologist.

He informed that folliculitis is common skin disease among children in heat and suffocated weather. He said significant number of children with folliculitis are being reported daily in OPD. He said wearing light dresses and taking proper bath with cool water will help to decrease the effects of extreme weather.  

Replying to a question regarding the skin problems being faced by people with sensitive skin, Dr Chandio said some clothes, colour, perfume, chemicals and locations might causes skin infections in  people with sensitive skin. He advised the sensitive skin people to avoid products which irritate or cause discomfort to skin.     

He said ratio of skin diseases prevalence in women and men was same but children are more vulnerable to these diseases due to their weak immune system. He said increasing awareness and education can play a pivotal role in society as number of patients increasing by the day.