HYDRATE: In rainy season keep yourself well hydrated by consuming only boiled or filtered water. Consume boiled water within 24 hrs of boiling. Drink a lot of warm soups, stews, herbal teas with ginger, pepper, mint, turmeric to keep the body warm. You could also consume a condensed form of milk such as yogurt, curd instead of milk, lassi, tea, and coffee.

FRESH FOOD: Avoid having raw vegetable salads and fruits which contains worms, larvae, and dirt. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly in running water. Avoid eating leftover food. Moreover prefer home cooked food. It is best to avoid salty and heavy foods as it causes gastric problems and increases water retention in the body that might cause swelling.

SPECIAL ATTENTION TO FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: Stick to seasonal fruits and vegetables. Besides this, stay away from green leafy vegetables, cauliflower, ladyfinger, sprouted grains, potato. Soak greens in salt water for 10 min to remove insects. Watermelon, muskmelon, tadgola, Jackfruit, jamun, and all high-water content fruits should be avoided as the smell attracts flies and increases water retention in the body that might cause swelling. Additionally, overeating mangoes can cause pimples. Consume bitter vegetables like snake gourd, bitter gourd, yam, apple gourd and pointed gourd. Eat fruits which provides energy such as apples, banana, pomegranate, litchee, and cherries.

BOOST IMMUNITY: With the increased humidity and moisture the immunity is compromised as the germs and bacteria are very active. Include immunity-boosting foods in the diet such as garlic, ginger, turmeric, pepper to enhance immunity and digestion. Stop smoking and alcohol consumption as both weakens our immunity and respiratory system making us more prone to cold and flu.

MAINTAIN GOOD HYGIENE: Many and frequent illnesses can be avoided during this season by just maintaining good personal hygiene. Follow common hygiene patterns such as below:

Wash hands, feet and face every time you come home, before handling food, after using the toilet to minimize the chances of getting infected. Bath with iodine solution after coming from office to remove any build-up of sweat and germs. Use Anti-fungal talc to prevent moisture in skin folds. Clean your chopping board thoroughly before cutting vegetables and fruits. Avoid touching your eyes with dirty hands can lead to conjunctivitis, dry eyes or corneal ulcers. Never leave home without the application of strong mosquito repellent. Diabetic should take an utmost care during this season to prevent fungal infections in toe and fingers. Keep an alcohol-based sanitizer handy when you travel.