Bathing with rainwater may trigger skin infection, physicians tell Nigerians

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Bathing with untreated rainwater may trigger skin infections, including ringworm, athlete’s foot, boils, and jock itch, senior medical experts have said.

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They noted that using untreated rainwater repeatedly for bathing, particularly on broken or sensitive skin, may expose individuals to fungal and bacterial skin infections and trigger skin irritation.

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The specialists explained that rainwater is not sterile and can collect bacteria, fungi, dust, bird droppings, chemicals, and other contaminants as it falls through the atmosphere or is stored in unclean containers.

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The rainy season across Nigeria starts in April and lasts until October. During this season, reliance on harvested rainwater often increases.

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Nigerians in several communities use harvested rainwater for domestic purposes like drinking, bathing, and cooking.

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Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, a Professor of Medicine and Dermatology, Madubuko Roli, said using untreated water can increase the risks of several skin infections.

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She explained that as rainwater falls through the atmosphere, it comes into contact with dust, debris from roofs and roads, environmental pollutants, and other contaminants.

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From this exposure, she explained that rainwater can carry chemicals, bacteria, and fungal spores, which can trigger skin infections if the water is used without appropriate treatment.

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Roli, who is a Consultant Physician/Dermatologist at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, said, “One concern is fungal infections, because fungi can thrive in contaminated water containing organic debris and other pollutants.

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“These infections may present as ringworm (tinea corporis), athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), or jock itch (tinea cruris), depending on the area of the body affected.

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“Untreated rainwater may also encourage the growth of bacteria, increasing the risk of skin infections such as folliculitis and recurrent boils.

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“In addition, chemicals and other pollutants present in the water may irritate the skin and trigger irritant contact dermatitis, also known as irritant contact eczema. People may experience itching, redness, and skin irritation after repeated exposure.”

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The dermatologist advised Nigerians to treat or properly filter harvested rainwater before domestic use and to maintain good storage hygiene.

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“Treating harvested rainwater before use can help reduce the risk of fungal infections, bacterial skin infections, and irritant skin reactions, contributing to healthier skin during the rainy season,” she said.

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Also, a toxicologist and environmental health expert, Onaeko Oluwawemimo, explained that rainwater, especially roof runoff, can be contaminated with harmful chemicals, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and other chemicals.

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These, he said, may cause skin inflammation, rashes, allergic reactions, and other skin diseases.

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The toxicologist explained that when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and anthrax spores are present in rainwater, it may cause respiratory system diseases, such as bronchitis and pneumonia (an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs).

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“Pathogens found in rainwater include genus Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Vibrio spp., and pathogenic E, which is a major causative organism capable of transmitting and causing dangerous diseases that, upon antibiotics use, become resistant, thus exposing the person to other linked diseases,” he told PUNCH Healthwise in an earlier interview.

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Oluwawemimo, however, urged Nigerians to filter or boil rainwater before usage.

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“Rainwater safety can be improved upon by observing basic practices like boiling, filtering, use of chemicals like chlorine, and UV disinfection, which are all better ways to ensure rainwater safety,” he said.

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