A common problem that people have with their skin is that it’s too dry. But did you know that having too moist skin can also be a problem?
4 Diseases That Can Be Caused by Moist Skin
Skin problems are usually caused by having skin that’s too dry or oily. In some cases, it can also be caused by exposing your skin to the sun which can cause sunburn.
On the flip side, if your skin is constantly exposed to water, or you’re not keeping it dry, then you’re also bound to experience skin diseases caused by moist skin.
Here are 4 common diseases that you can get if your skin is too moist.
1. Fungal Infections
The most common disease caused by moist skin is fungal infections1.
All of us have a small population of fungi living on our skin. In some cases, we can also pick up fungi from our surroundings, such as the soil.
For the most part, this isn’t a serious concern since our body usually keeps this fungal population in check. However, there are situations that could cause these fungi to multiply very quickly, to the point that it can cause a skin infection.
But if we have too moist skin, coupled with a warm climate, this creates the perfect environment for fungi to grow. This is why people tend to develop fungal infections on their feet, groin, or even their armpits as these parts of the body can be moist and warm.
Fungal infections are the most common skin disease associated with moist skin.
2. Intertigo
Intertigo is a condition wherein the skin develops rashes in skin folds2. These can be common persons who are obese or overweight as they tend to have more skin folds.
This irritation can also be made worse by heat and moisture. In some cases, fungal infections can also develop along with intertigo.
3. Macerated Skin
Macerated skin happens when the skin or a wound is exposed to too much fluid that it starts to break the skin down3. This can happen when a wound produces too much fluid or even excessive sweating.
In the case of wounds, macerated skin can be a serious problem since it can cause the wound to grow bigger and can cause an infection.
4. Trench Foot or Immersion Foot
Trench foot or immersion foot is a condition that was common during World War I. As the name suggests, it happens when soldiers’ feet were soaked in waterlogged trenches for extended periods of time.
It was also documented among soldiers in Vietnam, who called the condition jungle rot. In this case, it happened when soldiers marched for days on end while wearing boots that had been soaked with water.
This condition is fairly uncommon these days, as it can be easily prevented by keeping your feet dry and avoiding wearing wet boots or shoes for extended periods of time.
Key Takeaways
When it comes to your skin, it is important to keep it well-moisturized, but not too wet or damp. On the other hand, having skin that’s too dry can also cause skin problems.
To make sure your skin isn’t too wet or dry, you can use creams or lotions to help moisturize your skin. Wearing breathable clothing also helps keep your skin dry and fresh. If your clothes get wet or soaked, be sure to change into dry clothing as soon as you can.
You should also avoid taking showers that are too long or with water that’s too hot. This is because this can strip oils from your skin and cause further skin problems.
By following these tips, you can make sure that your skin stays as healthy as possible.
Learn more about Skincare and Cleansing here.
