Hey there! 🌧️
With all the flooding happening across the Philippines lately, many of us have had to deal with water where it absolutely shouldn't be—on our streets, inside our homes, and sometimes even around our feet. And while floodwater might look like nothing more than dirty rainwater, there's a lot more hiding in it than meets the eye. 🫣
Floodwater Isn't Just Rainwater
Once rainwater runs through streets, drainage systems, yards, and flooded areas, it can pick up all kinds of contaminants, including sewage, animal waste, bacteria, chemicals, and other debris. That's why floodwater should be treated as potentially contaminated, even when it doesn't look particularly dirty.
And this is where the difference between getting soaked in the rain and wading through floodwater really matters.
Rain getting on your skin isn't what causes an infection. Floodwater, however, can expose your body to microorganisms and contaminants that can enter through your mouth, eyes, or nose, or through cuts and breaks in the skin.
Those Tiny Cuts Matter
A tiny scratch you barely notice? It can become an entry point for bacteria when you're exposed to contaminated water.
That's especially important with leptospirosis, a bacterial infection associated with water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, particularly rodents. Flooding can spread that contamination over a much wider area.
So if you have an open wound, cover it with a waterproof bandage before going into floodwater. And if you can limit unnecessary contact, even better. If you have to wade through it, wear waterproof boots and protective clothing rather than going barefoot. 🥾
What If You Already Got Exposed?
Don't panic, but don't ignore it either.
Wash exposed skin thoroughly with clean water and soap as soon as you can. If your eyes or mouth came into contact with floodwater, rinse them with clean water. Pay extra attention to cuts, scratches, and irritated areas of skin.
And please watch for symptoms in the days following exposure. Leptospirosis can cause fever, headache, muscle aches, red eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. If you've had floodwater exposure and develop concerning symptoms, tell your doctor about the exposure and seek medical care promptly. Early treatment matters. 🧑🏻⚕️
And Take Care of Yourself, Too
Flooding takes a physical and emotional toll, especially when you're dealing with disrupted routines, poor sleep, stressful commutes, and days of uncertainty. Once you've taken care of the immediate safety concerns, don't forget the basics: rest when you can, stay hydrated, and eat nourishing meals.
For me, Oleia Softgels are part of that everyday wellness routine. With Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO), Olive Oil, and Moringa Seed Oil, they're an easy addition when I want a little extra support for my overall wellness. ⚪
But always remember, no supplement replaces proper hygiene, medical care, or precautions around contaminated floodwater.
Flooding is stressful enough without adding an avoidable health risk. And right now, staying completely out of floodwater simply isn't realistic for everyone. If you have to wade through it, focus on what you can control: protect your skin as much as possible, avoid unnecessary contact, wash thoroughly with clean water and soap afterward, and pay attention to any symptoms in the days that follow.
We can't always choose whether the water is there. But we can choose how we take care of ourselves afterward. 💜
Stay safe, take care of each other, and hang in there.
Show me your bottle and I'll show you mine? 'Til next time! 👋🏻
xo, L.
References:
https://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/
https://caro.doh.gov.ph/leptospirosis-6/
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/philippines
