Ifere Paul|1 August
There's a new skin disease in Calabar recently which is gradually turning into an epidemic.
More than three hundred & fifty cases have been reported in the UCTH. People affected are complaining of itchy and swollen skin, headache, and abnormal abrasion on the skin surface.
Interviewing a doctor at the general hospital on phone, he intimated that even some of the staff under him have been affected by the surge in this skin diseases. He reportedly said that the disease affects the nodal part of the part especially in between fingers, toes, the lower part of the armpit, and over the rips. Some people are affected seriously around the thighs and pubic region.
It is a bad signal that can be attributed to either a chemical used in the treatment of water at the Water Board. "It is not absolute", he quickly interjected.
According to the UCTH Dermatologist, "this incidence can be connected with the refuse overflow you see on our streets recently".
"Paul Ifere, as an environmentalist yourself, you know that evaporation begins on the ground. Some of these dumpsters and dumpsites are soaked wet and flowing with water right into the streets. When sun heat them, they evaporate with all the odour and the sickness and disease, where the form cloud water in the atmosphere. When the rain falls, is it not the same water from the dustbins that fall back to the ground?", she queried.
"Most of the people I have treated have at one point or another walked under the rain to the market, work, or school." She queried that "whenever there is flood in Calabar, you will see different kind of refuse floating on with the water. People walk through the flood because they would go to work and other places. These flood waters are contaminated and can cause anything to a sensitive skin."
"Nobody should deceive you Paul, this is wet season where everywhere is cool. So, remove your fallacy of prickly heat she retorted when told perhaps it is heat that's causing the rashes."
Tips to avoid contacting the rashes:
*take a shower or bath after a walk under rain.
*wash your hands before touches anything in the house after an outing.
*avoid walking through flooded streets by canceling your engagements during heavy rains.
*use medicated or antiseptic soap.
*use detol to disinfect your water before bathing.
*Use warm water.
*wash your toilet regularly with harbic, hypo, and other disinfectants.
*avoid as much as possible scratching affected part as it may worsen.
*use skineal cream and other antifungal or antibiotics creams.
*take multi vitamins and complexes.
*see a doctor especially when the has entered the pubic region(penis & vagina).
*stay safe, live safe, and be hygienic.
*cleanliness is next to godliness
Ifere Paul
Is an Environmental Activist
