Monsoon brings a welcome break from the scorching heat, but along with the refreshing showers comes a hidden threat—skin infections. As the rains create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, our skin becomes more vulnerable to a host of infections. From itchy rashes to more serious conditions like fungal infections and impetigo, the damp and humid weather can wreak havoc on your skin. Here are all the infections you should look out for:

Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection that affects the superficial layers of the epidermis (outermost layer of skin). It is most commonly caused by gram-positive bacteria. The infection spreads through direct contact with contaminated surfaces, including rainwater puddles, making it easy to contract during the monsoon.

Ringworm is a highly contagious viral infection, particularly among those with sweaty skin types. It manifests as red, circular spots on areas like the neck, armpits, or foot soles. It spreads through contact with infected surfaces or by scratching affected areas, which can further lead to nail infections.

Athlete’s foot is another common fungal infection, caused by the Candida fungus. It leads to cracked or discoloured patches on the feet and is highly contagious. Walking through rainwater puddles increases the risk of contracting this infection.

Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles that results in red bumps on the skin. This condition is caused by both fungal and bacterial infections, often due to excessive sweating and humidity. The combination of rainwater and these factors makes contracting folliculitis more likely during the monsoon.

Eczema is characterized by red, inflamed, and itchy skin with dark, scaly patches. Although non-contagious, this condition can be triggered by external factors such as humidity and genetics. Rainwater can aggravate these symptoms, making it essential to manage exposure during the rainy season.

Mould thrives in damp environments, like wet walls and unused corners of homes during the rainy season. These moulds can trigger allergies such as allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma, as well as increase skin allergies. The presence of mould can exacerbate skin issues, leading to further discomfort.

To protect yourself during the rainy season, avoid walking through puddles, keep your skin dry, and be vigilant about the cleanliness of your surroundings. If you notice any unusual spots or symptoms on your skin, seek medical advice promptly to prevent these infections from worsening.

When wildfires rage, the first and most visible impact is on air quality. Thick, smoky skies push people indoors to avoid breathing in the hazardous particles. But a new study warns that this very move—to stay safe from smoke—could make people more vulnerable to contagious respiratory illnesses like influenza and COVID-19.

The findings, published in PLOS Climate by researchers from Georgetown University, suggest that increased indoor crowding during wildfire events could create the perfect storm for airborne viruses to spread more easily.

What the Study Looked At

To understand this link, researchers used anonymized mobile phone data tracking visits to more than 4.6 million locations across the United States—ranging from parks and trails to malls and restaurants. They focused particularly on the 2020 wildfire season in Oregon and Washington, when large-scale fires blanketed the states in thick smoke between July and November.

Air quality data helped identify the counties hit hardest. The researchers then compared changes in people’s movements before, during, and after the wildfires.

People Headed Indoors—and Stayed There

The analysis showed a clear shift: as the wildfires worsened, people sought refuge indoors.

• In Oregon, indoor activity jumped by 14%.
• In Washington, it rose by nearly 11%.
• Major cities like Seattle and Portland saw even bigger increases—16% and 11%, respectively.

More time indoors means more shared air—and a greater chance for viruses to spread among those sharing that space.

Why This Matters for Flu and COVID-19

Respiratory viruses like the flu and COVID-19 thrive in enclosed environments, especially where ventilation is poor and people are in close contact. The researchers used computer models to estimate the likely increase in infection rates caused by this behavioral shift.

Their findings? Crowded indoor spaces during wildfire events could significantly boost peak infection numbers—unless precautionary measures are taken.

Masking Can Make a Difference

Fortunately, there’s a simple step that could help counter this risk: mask-wearing indoors.

“Even a modest increase in mask use—just 10%—can help reduce the peak of infection during wildfires,” the researchers wrote. In some places, like Washington County in Oregon or Yakima County in Washington, more robust measures (over 50% masking rates) may be needed to truly reduce transmission.

Planning Ahead for a Warming World

As wildfires become more frequent and intense due to climate change, public health officials must start thinking ahead—not just about air quality but also about how people behave in response.

“Our study shows that emergencies like wildfires don’t just affect the environment—they also change how we live day to day,” said lead researcher Giulia Pullano, a postdoctoral fellow in epidemiology. “If we understand that, we can prepare better.”

In short: what protects us from wildfire smoke might leave us exposed to something else. But with awareness and action, communities can stay safe on both fronts.

Cancer often seems like a distant issue, you may hear about other people experiencing it, however, getting a diagnosis yourself can be difficult to imagine. It was the same for Drea Sauceda. A young mother of two, Drea, had made an immediate appointment with her doctor when she felt a lump in her breast. Although she had brushed it off as paranoia initially, the reaction of her healthcare professionals led her to realize that this is in fact serious.

Shocking Diagnosis

When Drea Sauceda found a lump in her breast in December 2021, she just told herself, "It's nothing. I'm too young for cancer." Even though she thought she was overreacting, the 39-year-old mom of two quickly made an appointment. But as she waited for her test results, it became clear things were serious.

After her mammogram and ultrasound, Drea remembers them asking if she'd ever had a biopsy. It felt like a strange question. Then, her nurse rushed to schedule an MRI right away. "It slowly started hitting me that this was going to be serious," Drea said. The very next day, the phone call came with the awful news: she had HER2-positive breast cancer.

Navigating Emotional Challenges

Early on, Drea found it really hard to tell her friends, family, and co-workers about her cancer. Most people were shocked and sad, which was understandable. But it took a lot of her own energy to deal with their emotions again and again.

"I'm the type of person who never wants to make anyone uncomfortable or sad," Drea explained. "I really hated telling people. I'd ask my husband, my mom, or my sisters to do it." She found herself crying more about having to tell others and seeing their reactions than she cried about the diagnosis itself. "The social side of getting cancer is so strange," she added.

Documenting the Treatment Journey

At first, Drea's treatment plan didn't include chemotherapy. But after more tests, her doctor recommended surgery (a lumpectomy and breast reduction), followed by 12 weeks of chemotherapy, and then radiation. Learning she'd need chemo made Drea very worried. She looked online for others' experiences to know what to expect. But she couldn't find the kind of everyday, personal stories of treatment she was looking for.

"The doctor gives you a list of side effects you can expect, but I wanted to know what happens to people and how they'd describe it themselves," she said. "I wasn't finding that online, so I decided to write it myself."

Drea started writing weekly blog posts, sharing every appointment, symptom, and side effect. She started the blog to help others, but it also helped her understand her own journey, especially as treatment became very tough. Drea said her body reacted badly to her second-to-last round of chemo, and she spent most of that week bloated and in pain.

"I couldn't even get comfortable lying down," Drea said. "It was to the point where I was almost ready to say, that's it, I'm done, I'm not doing the last dose."

Celebrating a Milestone And New Set Of Challenges

Despite the immense discomfort, Drea pushed through to complete her treatment. She marked this significant milestone by participating in her local Relay For Life. What she hoped would be a "victory lap" turned into a joyous celebration.

Even though Drea finished her treatment with a celebration, the good feelings didn't last long. For so long, she had a clear plan and a busy schedule of daily appointments. But when treatment ended, life slowed down and became quiet. Soon, she found herself struggling with a strong fear that her cancer would come back, along with other health worries.

"I'd find myself in the waiting room at my primary doctor's office for a routine six-month check, and I'd start crying," she said. "During treatment, you're powering through. You're being strong. But when it's all supposed to be over, the trauma hits, and you start thinking things like, what will I do if it comes back? Am I going to get to see my girls grow up?"

To help her with these feelings, Drea joined several cancer survivor groups. Talking with others who had similar experiences helped her realize this is a common struggle. Cancer survivors often face mental health issues even after the physical signs of cancer are gone, and the people who supported them during treatment go back to their normal lives. Drea said a few things have helped her cope after cancer: antidepressant medicines from her doctor, regular talks with a therapist, and breathing exercises to calm her body and mind when panic sets in.

"I take deep breaths, take myself out of fight or flight, and think through things logically," Drea said, “Cancer is horrible, and not everyone has a good outcome," she said. "But to meet those amazing ladies and be celebrated in such an uplifting way, that was an amazing experience."

As our economy and connectivity evolved, many companies and professionals have moved onto working 24/7. To make this happen, people have come up with shift schedules that will allow some people to work during the day, while others work night shifts. However, an issue people face is that night shifts are unconventional and can impact your health. It changes the way your body functions and can have a severe impact on your body.

A study published on June 16 in ERJ Open Research found that women who consistently work night shifts have a 50% increased risk of moderate to severe asthma compared to women who workday shifts. Interestingly, this connection wasn't observed in men.

Researchers from the University of Manchester in the U.K., explained that while the study doesn't pinpoint why this link exists, it might be due to disruptions in the body's natural clock, which can affect hormone levels.

Hormonal Connections and Increased Risk

The idea that hormones play a role is supported by a key finding: postmenopausal women on the night shift who were not using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) saw their risk of moderate to severe asthma nearly double.

Researchers noted that asthma already affects women more severely than men, leading to higher hospitalization and death rates for women. Previous studies have also linked night shift work to more severe asthma in general. This led the team to investigate if night shifts would further increase asthma risk specifically for women.

Study Details and Findings

The study tracked the health of nearly 275,000 working individuals in the U.K. Biobank, a large health research project. Over 5% of these workers had asthma, with 2% suffering from severe asthma requiring a rescue inhaler.

The results clearly showed that women working only night shifts had 50% higher odds of moderate to severe asthma. This risk jumped to 89% higher for postmenopausal women on the night shift who were not taking HRT.

Researchers suggested that HRT might offer some protection against asthma for night shift workers, but he stressed that more research is needed to confirm this. He also speculated that higher testosterone levels in men might protect them from asthma, as testosterone has previously been linked to asthma protection.

Unanswered Questions and Future Steps

While the study highlights a strong association, it can't definitively prove that night shifts cause asthma in women. Other factors, like the different types of jobs men and women hold on night shifts, could also contribute to the risk.

Experts pointed out that it's often not easy for workers to simply change their shifts. She emphasized the need for further research to fully understand this link and to find ways to reduce the risk for women who work night shifts.

What Are Some Other Long-Term Effects Of Night Shifts?

Shift work, especially at night, seriously disrupts your body's natural 24-hour cycle, called the circadian rhythm, leading to various health challenges. Here are some long-term health issues that may arise from it, according to UCLA health.

Cancer

Disrupted circadian rhythm impacts cell function, DNA repair, and cell death, potentially leading to cancer, as reported by the National Toxicology Program. Reduced melatonin from irregular light/dark exposure hinders cell repair, making cancer progression easier.

Cardiovascular Disease

Working unusual hours increases heart disease and stroke risk. A European Society of Cardiology-linked study found women with five-plus years of rotating night shifts faced higher death risk, tied to stress, high blood pressure, and metabolic factors.

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Shift workers often experience digestive issues like abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, and IBS. These gut problems stem from sleep deprivation and unhealthy, processed food diets common in shift work, altering gut bacteria.

Mental Health Disorders

Nonstandard hours make maintaining relationships difficult, leading to isolation, stress, depression, and anxiety. A large study in The Lancet Psychiatry found shift work directly linked to higher risks of depression and anxiety, increasing with shift frequency.

Metabolic Disorders

Shift work disrupts circadian rhythm and hormones, raising risks for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and Type 2 diabetes. It's linked to higher BMI, hormonal imbalances affecting appetite/weight, and unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking and poor diet.