Why is getting caught in the rain bad for your health?

Specialist Doctor Nguyen Tran Nhu Thuy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City - Branch 3, said that getting wet or caught in the rain, even when wearing a raincoat, may seem harmless but in reality it poses many potential health risks.

Many people are subjective after getting caught in the rain, leading to symptoms such as lethargy, physical weakness, nausea, and even complicated diseases related to the skin, respiratory system, and many other problems.

When the climate changes suddenly or irregularly, these factors can enter the body and become the cause of disease, called exogenous factors (external causes). Pathogenic factors rarely appear alone, but often combine with each other, especially in the rainy season when wind - cold - dampness are the main causes of many diseases. If there are no reasonable protective measures when exposed to rainwater, the body is very susceptible to these types of evil spirits, especially when the body is weak or the vital energy is reduced.

Why does getting wet in the rain make you sick?

According to Dr. Thuy, in the past, rainwater was considered very clean. Our grandparents also stored rainwater for daily use, because rainwater has a sweet and cool taste, contains some necessary minerals and little iron. Many people used to drink rainwater without boiling it but were still healthy. However, with the development of today's industries, rainwater is no longer as pure as before. During the process of falling, rainwater carries many bacteria, impurities and toxic chemicals from the air, such as SO ₂ , NO ₂ and H ₂ S, forming acids such as HNO ₃ , H ₂ SO ₄ . These substances can cause health problems if the body comes into direct contact with rainwater without being properly protected.

People wear raincoats to protect themselves when walking in the rain.

"The experience of bathing in the rain as a child brought a pleasant feeling, but that was only when the body was healthy and the vital energy was strong. Nowadays, due to air pollution, especially in big cities, rainwater contains a lot of acid, dirt and bacteria. If exposed to the rain for a long time without proper protection and treatment, the body will be very susceptible to illness, especially for young children, the elderly, and those with weak resistance," Dr. Thuy shared.

Common diseases when getting wet in the rain

• Respiratory diseases: Flu, upper respiratory tract infection, seasonal pneumonia...
• Eye diseases: Pink eye, blepharitis, lacrimal gland inflammation...
• Digestive diseases: Digestive disorders, gastrointestinal infections...
• Skin diseases: Foot and hand fungus, folliculitis, ringworm, pityriasis versicolor, scabies, acne...
• Peripheral neuropathy: Numbness, Bell's palsy (primary peripheral facial nerve palsy).
• Bone and joint diseases: Pain, fatigue in bones and joints in the elderly, onset of sciatica...

Things to note to prevent illness when getting wet or caught in the rain

To protect your health and prevent diseases that can occur when exposed to rainwater, you need to pay attention to the following measures:

• Use a quality raincoat: When going out, always make sure you have a good raincoat to avoid getting your body wet and exposed to rainwater containing many bacteria and impurities.
• Keep your body warm: As soon as you get caught in the rain, you need to change into dry clothes immediately, keep your body warm, especially your head and neck, and avoid cold air from entering and causing a cold.
• Drink warm water: After getting caught in the rain, drink a glass of warm water, ginger water or herbal tea to warm your body from the inside, while also supporting your respiratory and digestive systems.

A nutritious diet, rich in vitamin C and adequate rest will help the body increase resistance and prevent disease.

• Warm bath: When you get home, you should take a warm bath to clean your body, relax and dilate capillaries, and increase blood circulation.
• Change into dry clothes immediately: Avoid keeping your body in a wet state for too long, which can easily lead to skin diseases such as folliculitis and skin fungus.
• Strengthen resistance: A nutritious diet rich in vitamin C and adequate rest will help the body fight against the invasion of evil spirits and bacteria from the environment.
• Limit going out in bad weather: When it rains heavily or the weather is unfavorable, if it is not really necessary, you should limit going out to avoid the risk of getting sick.
• Protect vulnerable groups: Pay special attention to protecting the health of children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with weak resistance, because they are easily affected by rain.
• See a doctor if you have unusual symptoms: If you have symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or skin problems after being in the rain, you should see a doctor for timely advice and treatment.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-mac-mua-khong-tot-cho-suc-khoe-18524101407551033.htm