Just a day after GRAP-3 restrictions were removed from Delhi, the city's pollution levels worsened. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) lift the GRAP-3 restrictions on Thursday when Delhi recorded its average AQI at 377 at 4pm. However, by 8pm, the AQI as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)'s data was recorded at 381 by 8pm. Multiple stations also recorded "severe" range.

However, Delhi, as of 10am on Friday, 28 November, AQI was recorded 409, which is under "hazardous". In fact, as per the CPCB data, several areas like Anand Vihar and Burari Crossing, the AQI crossed 400, under 'severe' category, whereas areas like Mathura Road and Lodhi Road crossed 300, under 'very poor' category.

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Amid Delhi's continuously worsening AQI, the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant said that he cannot go out for his morning walk as it is causing him breathing issues. "The only exercise I do is walking. But even that is difficult now. Yesterday I walked for 55 minutes, and till morning I had problems,” the CJI said. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal also said that he has completely stopped going out for morning walks. "To breathe this obnoxious air...at out age..." he remarked. Earlier, Justice PS Narasimha warned lawyers about this "very, very serious" pollution levels and urged them to opt for virtual hearings to avoid health risks. "This pollution will cause permanent damage," he said.

However, CAQM believes that the pollution levels will improve by Friday. "Based on the forecast provided by the IMD and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, we were told the AQI will worsen marginally on Thursday as wind speeds will drop. However, by Thursday evening and from Friday onwards, winds are forecast to pick up again and so the AQI is not likely to touch 400 and into the severe category,” a CAQM official said.

Though experts do not agree. As per IIT Delhi professor Mukesh Khare, as reported in HT, says that even if AQI is improving, it "is likely to deteriorate again, so the decision to remove GRAP based on marginal improvement was illogical". "There is not much difference between an AQI of 320 and 350. We know conditions in winters are harsh and unpredictable and often unfavorable," he says.

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What Can Be Done To Protect Yourself Against Toxic Air Pollution?

Dr Rahul Chawla, a neurologist trained at AIIMS posted a video on his Instagram where he shared 5 ways to protect against Delhi's Air Pollution.

Stay Indoors

Dr Chawla suggested that one should stay indoors as much as possible. "You can open the windows and doors only between 1 and 3pm in the day, when you feel that the sun is bright, so that the house gets proper ventilation," he said.

Why 1pm to 3pm is the only time he suggests to have exposure with air? As per a 2023 study by an air filter brand, Delhi's air pollution peaked at 9AM and gradually improved as the day progressed. On an average, Delhi sees roughly as half as much PM2.5 by 5PM. Similarly, in Kolkata, the pollution peaks at 8am and is lowered by 4PM. This is why the safest time to have any sort of air exposure is in the afternoon. Pollution levels also tend to be slightly lower in the afternoon because it is when the sun is at its peak. This heats the ground and causes warm air to rise and mix with atmosphere. This helps disperse pollutants.

He also advised against cleaning inside the house using a dry cloth, and suggested wet cloth to be in use, so that dust does not rise. "Please do not light up things inside the house like burning dhoop (incense for worship), agarbatti (incense sticks), or anything else that causes excessive smoke,” he said.

Use N95 Mask

“If there are elderly people at home, do not let them go for morning walks or evening walks, and if there are children, do not let them play in the park. Exercise at home. You can go up and down the stairs. You can do yoga. If you have a treadmill or a stationary bike at home, you can exercise with it. You can do weightlifting,” he said. However, he suggested that if going out is absolutely necessary, then one must wear N-95 mask properly before stepping out.

Air Purifier

“If you can afford an air purifier, buy one. But keep in mind that the air purifier you are buying should be appropriate for the size of your room,” the neurologist advised.

Work From Home

The neurologist also suggested that if your company permits it, seek work from home option to reduce your exposure from toxic air.

Leave Delhi

Lastly, he suggested that if people can afford, and their profession allows, they must leave Delhi for a few weeks. “Because this city has become a gas chamber,” he warned.

Note: This article is not a medical advice and the information is derived from the video shared by the doctor. Please seek advice from your doctor before making any changes in your lifestyle.

Tamil Nadu health authorities have ramped up surveillance efforts and implemented preventive and control measures to curb rising chickenpox cases in the state.

The Directorate of Public Health (DPH) and Preventive Medicine has instructed all health officers to intensify active and passive surveillance in all government and private health facilities, schools, colleges and hostels.

They were also directed to ensure that all suspected and confirmed cases are entered into the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) line list with complete demographic and clinical details.

All medical officers across the state have further been asked to be alert to differentiate chickenpox from other rash illnesses such as measles, rubella, and hand, foot and mouth disease.

This comes weeks after doctors across Pune also warned against the exponential rise in chickenpox cases this winter.

Dr Shirish Kankariya, head of paediatrics at Apollo Hospital Swargate, said he had seen around 15 chickenpox patients in Jan alone, and the current season has brought a visible uptick in cases.

"Chickenpox cases have risen. We are also seeing infections in older children and adult family members, who never had the disease earlier," he told Times of India.

Dr Prateek Kataria, consultant pediatrician and neonatologist at Sahyadri Hospital also noted that out-patient departments (OPDs) have recently seen a large increase confirmed chickenpox cases this year.

He also told the publication: "We are seeing many children with chickenpox in the OPD even among those who have taken both doses of the vaccine. This is expected because the vaccine does not guarantee 100% protection, but vaccinated children usually develop milder illness and do not need hospitalization."

What Is Chickenpox And How Does It Spread?

Chickenpox, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is extremely contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets or direct contact with someone who is infected. In children, it often starts as a mild rash accompanied by fever, but it can spread quickly in crowded areas.

The virus can also be transmitted through coughing or sneezing, and it is most infectious a day or two before the rash appears and in the early days of the rash. In individuals with weak immunity, the dormant virus may reactivate later in life, causing shingles (herpes zoster).

How To Detect Chickenpox Symptoms Early?

Spotting chickenpox early means looking for general warning signs like fever, fatigue, headache, and loss of appetite, which usually appear one to two days before the rash.

The rash itself starts as tiny red spots that later form fluid-filled blisters and eventually scab over. Paying attention to these early symptoms, especially after known exposure, can help identify the infection sooner.

How To Spot A Chickenpox Rash

The first rash usually shows up as small red bumps on the face, chest, or back. These bumps quickly turn into blisters filled with fluid, which are contagious. Over a few days, the blisters break and crust over, forming scabs. It’s common to see spots, blisters, and scabs all at the same time, according to the CDC.

Stages Of Chickenpox

The Mayo Clinic explains that chickenpox progresses in three main stages:

• Incubation Stage (10–21 days): After exposure, the virus remains inactive. Infected individuals typically show no symptoms during this period.
• Prodromal Stage (1–2 days): Early signs include fever, tiredness, headache, loss of appetite, and body aches. This is also when the virus can start spreading to others.
• Rash Stage (5–10 days): Red, itchy spots appear first on the face and chest, spreading across the body. These spots develop into fluid-filled blisters that scab over within a few days. Mild fever, itching, and discomfort are common during this stage.

A new study published in The Lancet Oncology journal today revealed that breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer among women worldwide, and predicted that the number of new cases of the deadly disease will reach more than 3.5 million globally in 2050 -- rising by a third from 2.3 million in 2023.

The Global Burden of Disease analysis with data from 204 countries revealed that despite advancements in breast cancer treatments, yearly deaths from the disease will rise by 44 percent -- from around 764,000 to 1.4 million.

While breast cancer disproportionately impacts countries with limited resources, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including not smoking, getting sufficient physical activity, lowering red meat consumption, and having a healthy weight were found to prevent over a quarter of healthy years lost to illness and premature death.

“Breast cancer continues to take a profound toll on women’s lives and communities,” said lead author Kayleigh Bhangdia from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, US.

“While those in high-income countries typically benefit from screening and more timely diagnosis and comprehensive treatment strategies, the mounting burden of breast cancer is shifting to low- and lower middle-income countries where individuals often face later-stage diagnosis, more limited access to quality care, and higher death rates that are threatening to eclipse progress in women’s health,” Bhangdia added.

Inequalities In Breast Cancer Burden

The study revealed that the rates of new cases remain highest in high-income countries (HICs), but are growing fastest in low-income countries (LICs).

Women in low- and lower-middle-income countries accounted for 27 percent (around 628,000) of new cases globally, exposing likely disparities in timely diagnosis and shortages of quality treatment, including radiotherapy machines, chemotherapy drugs, and pathology labs, and standard treatments.

In 2023, an estimated 2.3 million new breast cancers were diagnosed worldwide in women (with 73 percent or 1.67 million cases occurring in high- and upper-middle-income countries). Of these, 764,000 ended in deaths (with 39 percent or 300,000 deaths occurring in low- and lower-middle-income countries).

Further, the number of years of healthy life lost due to poor health and early death more than doubled from 11.7 million years in 1990 to 24 million years in 2023.

Women in low- and lower-middle-income countries also contribute to more than 45 percent of all the ill-health and early deaths from breast cancer globally (nearly 11 million years of healthy life lost).

Three-fold Rise In Pre-menopausal Breast Cancer

The study reported a three-fold rise in pre-menopausal breast cancer in women aged 55 or older in 2023 -- compared to women aged 20-54 years.

However, rates of new cases have risen in women aged 20-54 years (up 29 percent) since 1990, with rates in older women remaining relatively unchanged.

Major Lifestyle Risk Factors

In 2023, 28 percent of the global breast cancer burden (6.8 million years of healthy life lost to disability, illness, and early death) was linked to six potentially modifiable risk factors. These include:

• High red meat consumption -- linked to nearly 11 percent of all healthy life lost
• tobacco use (including second-hand smoke; 8 percent),
• high blood sugar (6 percent),
• high body mass index (4 percent),
• high alcohol use and low physical activity (both 2 percent)

Substantial progress has been made in reducing the global breast cancer burden linked to high alcohol use and tobacco between 1990 and 2023, which declined by 47 percent and 28 percent, respectively.

Donald Trump is again in the news, this time not for his cognitive conditions and speculations around it, but for a skin rash and redness around his neck. During a Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room of the White House, many pointed out the redness around his neck and asked if there was any underlying medical reason to it. The close-up photos shows clear red marks around the 79-year-old president's neck.

Why Does President Trump Have Red Rashes Around His Neck?

As per the White House, this redness around his neck is due to a skin cream he has been using. However, the White House has not given any specific reason behind the treatment for which the skin cream has been prescribed. "President Trump is using a very common cream on the right side of his neck, which is a preventative skin treatment, prescribed by the White House Doctor,” Sean Barbabella, the president's doctor, said in a statement. “The President is using this treatment for one week, and the redness is expected to last for a few weeks.”

No follow-up questions on the treatment were given, neither any clarity was given on the condition. However, zoomed in photos from as far back as the Board of Peace meeting at the US Institute of Peace on February 19 too show the redness on President's neck.

Topical treatments can sometimes lead to temporary skin irritation, flushing, or redness - especially if they contain active ingredients like retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, alpha hydroxy acids, or prescription-strength dermatological compounds.

Trump’s medical report from his April 2025 physical exams has noted he was on mometasone cream “as needed” for an unspecified skin condition.

Why Do Skin Cream Cause Redness And Rashes?

While this is not true for all creams, some skin cream could make your skin red by increasing the turnover of cells that stimulate collagen production or reduce inflammation.

In this process, the skin may appear red, slightly inflamed, or sensitive – especially in areas like the neck, which tends to have thinner skin than the face.

Common reasons for redness caused by skin cream include:

• Irritant contact dermatitis
• Allergic reaction to ingredients
• Increased blood flow from active compounds
• Over-application of product
• Sun sensitivity after use
• Skin around your neck may especially react more visibly than other areas due to its delicate texture.

When should redness be a concern?

Even though temporary redness from skincare products is usually harmless, doctors say you must always use creams after a prescription and reach out to them in case of:

• Severe burning or itching
• Blistering or peeling
• Swelling of the face or throat
• Symptoms lasting more than a few days
• Signs of infection
• In most cases, discontinuing the product allows the skin to return to normal within a short period.