Extreme heat and pollution driving worsening skin conditions – expert warns
Dr Judey Pretorius says there is a stigma around skincare that only the most expensive products work, but basic barrier creams and soap that is pH-balanced can make a significant difference.
A biomedical scientist says extreme heat, pollution and limited access to clean water contribute to worsening skin conditions.
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Dr Judey Pretorius, a lecturer at the Northwest University, says researchers are seeing more cases of infections directly linked to environmental exposure.
Pretorius says air pollution continues to worsen conditions including eczema, acne and chronic skin irritation.
The impact of water shortages on skin health
She has stressed that water shortages and poor sanitation also increase the risk of bacterial and fungal infections, particularly in informal settlements.
“I think it would be a good idea that there would be some form of governmental sub-surgery available, where municipal clinics at least also be stocked with a basic, a skin barrier cream to protect them against some social extremities.
“It doesn't always have to be expensive, and there is a stigma around skincare that only the most expensive stuff work but basic barrier creams, basic soap that is at least pH balanced will make a huge difference. And of course, the regulatory component should definitely come in so we can protect people.”
Why is KwaZulu-Natal experiencing hotter than normal temperatures?
Last month, forecasters confirmed that this season in KZN has felt hotter than usual with temperatures climbing beyond the recorded average.
Forecaster Masego Nhlapo said they do a seasonal weather outlook monthly related to the climate phenomenon known as ENSO.
“The El Niño Southern Oscillation, which impacts the global atmospheric circulation and affects the temperatures and rainfall events, mainly El Niño, La Niña, and neutral phase. We are in the neutral phase. This results in dominating high-pressure systems in the upper air, resulting in a subsidence of air from the upper air to the surface and leading to higher temperatures.
"Between January and March, we do expect higher temperatures, but this time around, we are expecting above normal temperatures. That means we are expecting higher minimum and maximum temperatures.
“This is due to the ENSO effect that I spoke about in the neutral phase, by two to three degrees across KZN."
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