Lucknow: Hot, humid weather and stagnant water are driving a rise in monsoon-related illnesses across the city. Govt hospitals are reporting an increase in fungal skin infections, eczema, fever and conjunctivitis, while cases of dengue, leptospirosis and scrub typhus have also been reported. Experts attribute the surge to humidity, mosquito breeding and contaminated water.FUNGAL INFECTIONS AND ECZEMA ON THE RISESkin ailments, including fungal infections and eczema, have risen nearly tenfold this monsoon, with OPD cases jumping from 40-50 to 300-400. Doctors attribute the increase to high humidity, excessive sweating and damp clothing, which promote fungal growth and aggravate existing skin conditions. Dermatologists Dr Devesh Chandra Pandey of SPM Civil Hospital and Dr MH Usmani of Balrampur Hospital said patients are commonly reporting itching, redness, rashes, scaling and skin discolouration. Doctors advised people to keep their skin dry, wear loose cotton clothing and change wet garments promptly.FEVER CASES UP 40%Fever cases have increased by around 40% across the three hospitals, with Balrampur Hospital reporting around 250 cases, SPM Civil Hospital 150 and KGMU 200-250 cases. Earlier, these cases used to be between 110 and 170 daily.Most patients are suffering from viral fever, followed by typhoid and other infections. Prof D Himanshu of KGMU said viral fever and flu-like illnesses are among the most common monsoon ailments, caused by seasonal viral infections that spread more easily during humid weather. He advised people against self-medication and recommended medical evaluation if fever persists beyond a few days.CONJUNCTIVITIS CASES RISE MULTIPLE FOLDConjunctivitis cases have also increased during the monsoon, with Balrampur Hospital reporting 40-50 patients daily compared with 10-15 before the season. The infection, commonly known as pink eye, spreads through contaminated hands and shared towels, handkerchiefs and other personal items.Dr Sanjay Teotia, ophthalmologist at Balrampur Hospital, said patients commonly report redness, watering, itching and eye discharge. He advised maintaining hand hygiene, avoiding eye rubbing and seeking medical attention if symptoms persist or affect vision.DENGUE CASES ALSO BEING REPORTED DAILYDengue cases are also being reported, with stagnant water in coolers, tyres, flowerpots and containers providing breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.District malaria officer Dr Ritu Srivastava said around 2-3 dengue cases are being reported daily. Symptoms include fever, headache, body ache, joint pain, nausea and rash. She advised residents to remove stagnant water from their surroundings, use mosquito repellents and wear full-sleeved clothing.LEPTOSPIROSIS, SCRUB TYPHUS CASES REPORTEDKGMU has also reported three cases of leptospirosis and eight cases of scrub typhus, both of which can be life-threatening if treatment is delayed. Prof D Himanshu said leptospirosis is caused by bacteria found in water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals, particularly rodents, while scrub typhus spreads through the bite of infected chiggers found in vegetation and scrubland. Both illnesses can cause fever, headache and body ache, making timely diagnosis important. He advised people to avoid contact with floodwater and seek medical attention for persistent fever.
