Rains also call for caution

ALLAHABAD:The rains, even if moderate and sporadic, have given a fresh and vibrant leaseof life. There is at least some relief from hot weather. Now, even as rainsallure youngsters to jump in the rains, the elderly enjoy the hot pakoras with acup of tea. But, all this fun calls for caution too.Water puddlesmay be real fun to jump into, but they are also the home ground for flies,mosquitoes and insects to breed. Hence, first of all do not let water accumulateand stagnate in the vicinity. One must also avoid eating anything kept in open(without proper covering) at the roadside joints or stalls, especially the onesserving cut fruits and chaat items.Fruits which have been cut beforehand have many infections due to the flies and mosquitoes sitting on them. Also,chaat items contain curd and chutneys which deteriorate in this humid weather.Further, water used in the preparation of chaat is also questionable, says VaidhS K Rai. It is best to get fruits and cut them only after washing them properly.Even in case of chaat, home made preparations should be eaten, he adds. Thus,howsoever, tempting the colourful fruit chaat or papri chaat and gol-gappas inthe market may be it is better to stay away from them.Dr DeepakAggarwal, a paediatrician, advocates eating fresh food especially in thisweather. In this season, avoid stale food totally. If some food is left insurplus then it should not be left in open but kept in the fridge. Lowtemperatures control any kind of fungal or bacterial growth. Also, beforeconsuming anything that has been stored for some time, please check the fooditem. If the colour or smell of food item is inappropriate, then discard itimmediately, he says.Water-borne diseases too are common during thisseason. This season witnesses maximum cases of water-borne diseases which mainlyinclude typhoid, jaundice and gastroenteritis. Either consume filtered water oropt for boiled water. He advises adding potassium permanganate in the proportionof one granule in one litre of water. This water can be consumed safely as it isfree of any kind of water-borne diseases.Dr GK Tripathi, chiefmedical superintendent, Bailley\TB Sapru Hospital suggests cotton clothingduring this season. "Synthetic clothes should be avoided in this season. Suchgarments do not allow air to pass through. This leads to accumulation of sweatand then skin infections like rashes, boils etc.,'' he says. Certainother precautions are essential with kids, cautions Dr U S Sinha of SRNHospital. "They should carry umbrellas to school. Getting wet in rain andcarrying on in wet clothes is a sure shot invitation to cold, cough and fever,says the doctor, adding that children should not be allowed to play in biggrasses as this season has numerous insects that might hurt.Skinshould also be taken care of. Drinking plenty of water helps preventingdehydration. Humidity in the atmosphere makes the body perspire even as hot sunrays cause sunburns similar to the summer season. Thus normal cleansing, toningand moisturising along with application of sunscreen should be done regularly.Do not take skin care lightly in this weather, adds Ruby, skin care specialist.Monsoon is a beautiful weather. Take these precautions and enjoy theweather to the hilt. So now, hum taiyyar hain, sawan ko aane do.