I often feel itchy and stinging on my skin after getting caught in the rain. What disease is this? Is it dangerous? (Thu Ha, 31 years old)
Reply:
Many people after coming back from the rain, the skin surface shows signs of itching and burning. The cause is dust from vehicles, industrial emissions combined with acid from rainwater affecting the skin, especially those with a history of atopic dermatitis, the skin barrier is damaged.
The initial itching is mild but can become severe and can easily spread to other areas of the skin if scratched a lot. Rainwater can also cause stinging in exposed skin areas or other areas. In some more severe cases, people with a history of allergies when exposed to rain can develop a rash or hives.
Another rare condition that also causes symptoms when exposed to rain is Aquagenic Urticaria. Symptoms typically include red, itchy skin when exposed to water. The severity of the reaction varies from person to person and can occur several times a day. Most symptoms subside spontaneously after many years of exposure.
To reduce symptoms when the weather is rainy, you should prepare a raincoat that covers enough and limit skin contact with rainwater as much as possible. When you get home, you need to dry your body and bathe again with warm water to wash away dirt in the rainwater. People who often wear sneakers and socks should take them off and clean them immediately to avoid mold and parasites from entering the skin.
You can apply calamine lotion or an antihistamine to relieve the itching. Calamine and zinc oxide are anti-itch creams that have skin-protecting, astringent properties and help reduce bacterial growth, preventing further infection.
Dr. Dang Thi Ngoc Bich
Department of Dermatology - Skin Aesthetics, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City
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