Like every year, this summer Umesh sat in front of me holding a handkerchief stained with blood from his nose. This was a regular trouble he faced of nose bleeding after roaming in the sun. Due to the intense heat of summer, he faces this problem frequently. Roaming in the sun without wearing a cap and staying up late at night contribute to his trouble. Many people suffer from this problem in summer. Umesh is an example of these kinds of patients. After discussing diet and precautions to be taken in summer, we are now going to discuss the diseases that occur in this period.
For people like Umesh, who are suffering from problems like nose bleeding, the best medicine is ‘Durva’. The juice of Durva is considered to be very cool. Hence, we can put drops of its juice in our nose. It is advised to keep ice on your nose and forehead while lying on your back. We can also put sugar syrup drops in our nose to stop the bleeding. Medicines like Padmakadi Tail and Chandrakala ras are also useful in treating such problems. However, these medicines should be used only on the advice of a medical practitioner. People who frequently face this problem may start using the juice of Durva and sugar syrup from the start of summer. There is no harm in this and would help in preventing such diseases.
Another important complaint in summer is Urine infection and experiencing pain while urinating. We should consume beverages like coconut water, Lemon sharbat, Amla sharbat in more quantities. Medicines like Amala, Dhamasa, Gokshur and Nagarmotha are beneficial for such problems. Ushirasav and Chandansav are also useful. However, any medication should be taken only after consultation with a doctor. To reduce the pain during Urination, we can boil water with coriander and cumin seeds. Consuming this water would be helpful.
During summer, some people feel a heating sensation in their hands, feet or in their entire body. Such people should include more milk, ghee and butter in their diet. Medicines such as PravalPishtha, Gairik, Jyethamadha Padmakastha, Shatavari, Pomegranate, Falasa are beneficial for this. Such medication should be used only upon medical consultation.Applying coating(lep) of a combination of sandalwood, multani mitti and sariva on the body also reduces inflammation and heating sensation in the body. Regular intake of Gulkand and Moravala are very beneficial to reduce body heat.
Another heat-related disorder is blisters on the skin. In our local language we call it ‘Ghamolya’ or ‘prickly heat rash’ in English. Sometimes we observe symptoms such as burning sensation or itching in Prickly heat. In such cases we can apply lep(coating) of Nagarmotha, Wala and Jitsaya mixed with water. Applying Lep(coating) of ghee, Shatdhout ghrutam and butter is beneficial if the prickly heat burning sensation is increased. Continuous application of talcum powder on the skin also provides relief from such problems. Along with medicines, people facing the problem of prickly heat should use more cotton clothes, instead of synthetic clothes. This is because synthetic clothes rubbing on the skin may cause even more harm. Similarly, the use of soaps containing chemicals should also be avoided.
Sometimes we cannot avoid going out in the hot summer. Too much exposure to the sun causes ‘skin darkening’. In such cases, we should use sunscreen lotions and gels. Applying such lotions and gels before going out can help us in protecting our skin from the intense heat of the sun. These creams and lotions are very beneficial for skin problems like dryness, roughness, and cracking of skin. Another useful medicine for these complaints is ‘aloe vera’. Applying aloe vera gel provides moisture to the cells which keeps our skin fresh. In the summer, many people get rashes on their bodies due to acidity. It causes red circular rashes on the skin which itches. We should apply kokum water immediately on the skin and this water should be consumed as well. We can also apply water mixed with edible soda on the skin.
Dr Mayuresh Aagte
Note : Please use all the medications mentioned in this article after consultation with your doctor.