The Safest Footwear For Flooding

Puddles of water as deep as 30 Cm to all the people today are enjoyed by children to swim and play. (Bambang E Ros/VOI)

JAKARTA - Footwear worn when hitting floods is apparently not allowed to be arbitrary. Although there is no definite recommendation, proper footwear can help reduce injury or even infection.

According to Indonesian Skin and Gender Specialist, dr. Arini Astasari Widodo, Sp.KK, choosing rubber boots or plastic shoes that are water resistant and easy to clean is more recommended. The goal is that various foreign particles do not easily enter the pore of the skin or injure the skin.

"Using closed footwear while cleaning the post-flood environment is highly recommended to protect your legs from contamination and injury," said dr. Arini was quoted as saying by ANTARA.

The footwear worn is expected to cover all legs, not open sandals that can make flooding water easy on the skin.

"Make sure the sol is anti-slip so it's not easy to slip. After using it, wash and dry the shoes properly to prevent mold and smell," said Arini.

He continued that people also need to use cotton or quick-dry socks to keep their feet dry. In addition to wearing footwear, it is also important for the community to maintain skin health when floods occur.

The first step, people must immediately wash their skin with antiseptic soap after coming into contact with flood water.

Next, dry the skin well, especially on the sidelines of the leg to prevent fungal infection. Also use moisturizers to prevent dry skin and irritation due to exposure to dirty water.

If there is a small wound, Arini recommends immediately clean it with antiseptic and cover it with a plaster to avoid infection. Avoid sweeping an itching area, as it can exacerbate irritation and cause secondary infection.

He stressed that flood water has often been contaminated with bacteria, viruses, fungi, and harmful chemicals that can cause skin infection. In addition, sharp objects such as broken glass or metal hidden in floodwaters can injure your legs and increase the risk of secondary infection.

There are also several types of skin diseases that often appear due to contact with flood water, including irritant dermatitis which causes skin inflammation due to exposure to dirty water and chemicals and fungal infections (pedis or ticks) that often occur in moist legs for a long time.

Other diseases include immetigo and cellulitis that occur due to bacterial infection, so that small wounds on the skin can be an entry point for bacteria, leptospirosis caused by Leptospira bacteria from rat urinary water due to entering through minor wounds on the skin and causing systemic infection to skabies and ticks, whose risk increases due to damping environment and poor sanitation.

"For those who like to swim in flood water, the risk is greater because the skin is exposed to contaminants for a long time, increasing the possibility of skin infection and systemic disease," he said.

Arini also appealed to the public to always wear closed footwear when walking in floodwaters or when cleaning the house.

Avoid playing or swimming in flood water, because according to him the risk is not only on the skin, but can also cause other diseases such as leptospirosis and diarrhea.

Keep the body clean by bathing after contact with flood water. If you have a rash, itching, or wound that is difficult to recover, immediately check with the doctor to get the right treatment," said Arini.