AFTER cases of hair loss and later nail loss were reported in the district, now, sudden increase in complaints of cracks on palms have come to fore in Shelgaon Deshmukh, a village in Mehkar taluka. This has created an atmosphere of fear among residents of this village with a population of about 5,500. As soon as the symptoms appeared people feared some skin disease was getting transmitted. However, the district health authorities immediately looked into the matter and on examination of those affected clarified that the disease was not contagious. Onone hand, while officialreport on the hair and nail loss is yet to be received, now a new problem has hit the district,leading toconfusion amongvillagersofShelgaonDeshmukh.

 

The Health Department hasbecome alert as the cases havecome upinin the taluka from whereUnionMinister of State Prataprao Jadhav hails. District Epidemiology and Survey OfficerDrPrashantTangde,DermatologistDrBalaji Adrat and Medical Officer Dr Madhuri Mishra reached the village and conductedchecks-ups. Meanwhile, Health officials explainedthat the disease is not contagious but isauto-immune in nature. This means that the body’s immune systemreacts againstitsown skin, especiallywhenit comesinto contactwith substances such as detergents, chemicals, soaps, pesticides etc.They alsoclarified that water has no direct link to the disease. “This skin disease is not contagious but is auto-immune in nature. Therefore, citizens need not panic. It is necessary to protect hands from washing powder, soap, detergents, and agricultural chemicals.

 

As soon as symptoms appear, a dermatologist should be consulted,” said Dr Prashant Tangde, District Epidemiology Officer. Dermatologist Dr Balaji Adrat explained, “Palmo-plantar eczema or keratoderma is a chronicdisease.Althoughitisnot possible to cure it completely it can be controlled with treatment. Especially avoiding chemical habits, household detergents and allergen can significantly improve the symptoms. Along with this, appropriate ointments and lifestyle changes are necessary.” During the examination, 14 outof20patientswerediagnosed withpalmo-plantareczema,palmo-plantar keratoderma and palmo-plantar psoriasis. These diseases cause symptoms such as cracking of the skin, dryness, pain and burning on the soles of thehandsand feet.Somepatients have this problem before