By Angela Mutiso
Clean Water, Personal Towels, A Doctor: That’s What You Need
Hawi first noticed an itch he couldn’t ignore. It began between his fingers, then spread to his wrists, elbows, and waistband. Within two weeks, he scratched constantly; during meetings, while cooking, even in his sleep, until his skin was raw and broken.
He later visited a clinic in Kampala, his sleeves were covering his hands despite the heat. He had tried every remedy he heard about; herbs from the market, bleaching soap, a neighbour’s cream, and even kerosene, based on advice from a taxi park tipster. Each attempt only worsened his condition.
The doctor, Dr. Akuto, a gentle woman with twenty years of skin case experience, glanced at his hands and asked him to lift his shirt. She ran a pen along his belly, checked the tracks between his fingers, and nodded.
Scabies, she said. You did not need kerosene. You needed a doctor three weeks ago.
Hawi’s struggle is not rare. Many people endure unnecessary misery because they don’t know what’s causing their discomfort. To help you avoid desperate measures, here’s what you should know about five common skin problems, and how to handle them appropriately. Let’s start with a condition many have faced: acne.
Acne: More Than a Teen Problem
Acne is something almost everyone faces at some point, staring in the mirror at an unwelcome pimple. Contrary to myths, acne is not caused by chocolate or poor hygiene. According to Dr. Margaret Lutaaya, a Ugandan dermatologist, acne happens when skin oil and dead cells clog pores, creating a perfect environment for bacteria. Redness is your body’s way of fighting back. It’s common during adolescence, thanks to hormonal surges, but adults get it too, often triggered by stress. Acne isn’t contagious. For mild breakouts, over-the-counter salicylic acid washes may help. If it’s affecting your self-esteem, consult a doctor for prescription treatments. Don’t let anyone tell you to just wash your face more; real acne needs real solutions.
Boils: Painful and Persistent
Boils are another unpleasant skin issue. If you haven’t had one, count yourself lucky. They start as small, painful lumps that swell with pus and can make sitting or sleeping difficult if they’re in sensitive spots. Boils form when bacteria, usually staph, enter the skin through a cut or hair follicle and multiply below the surface. Dr. Akuto notes that shaving with dull blades or wearing tight, rubbing clothes increases the risk. Diabetics are also more vulnerable.
Boils can be contagious, as the pus carries bacteria. If one breaks and the fluid comes into contact with another person’s broken skin, it can spread. Never squeeze a boil; it can push the infection deeper. Instead, use warm compresses to encourage natural drainage. If a boil is larger than a ping pong ball, keeps coming back, or is accompanied by fever, seek medical attention. You may need antibiotics or minor surgery to relieve symptoms.
Ringworm: A Fungus Among Us
Despite its name, ringworm isn’t a worm at all; it’s a persistent fungal infection. It usually appears as a circular, red rash with a clearer centre and raised, itchy edges. You can catch it from contact with infected animals, from walking barefoot in communal areas, or by sharing personal items like towels. That’s why flip-flops in public showers and not sharing towels at home are more than just preferences; they’re smart precautions.
Dr. Lutaaya explains that ringworm thrives in warm, damp environments. For most cases, over-the-counter antifungal creams work well, but you need to use them for the full course, even after the rash fades. Scalp or nail infections are more severe and require oral medication (medicine taken by mouth). If a cream isn’t working after a week, consult a doctor. And remember: don’t share towels, bedding, or combs. Otherwise, ringworm will keep making the rounds.
Scabies: The Hidden Itch
Scabies, the culprit behind Hawi’s relentless itching, is caused by microscopic mites that burrow into the skin and lay eggs. The result is intense, often unbearable itching, especially at night. Tell-tale signs include fine, thread-like tracks, usually between the fingers or around the waist. The itch is not just a nuisance; it’s an allergic reaction to the mites, their eggs, and their droppings.
Scabies spreads through close, prolonged skin contact; like hugging, sharing a bed, or frequent touch, making it common in families and crowded living spaces. No amount of washing or scratching will solve the problem. Treatment requires a prescription cream applied from the neck down, left on for 8–12 hours, and repeated as directed. Here’s a crucial point: everyone in close contact needs to be treated at the same time, even if they don’t itch yet. Otherwise, the infestation can keep coming back. Washing bedding in hot water and sealing unwashed items in plastic bags for a week helps eliminate stray mites. With proper treatment, relief can come quickly – just as it did for Hawi, who finally slept soundly after months of misery.
Eczema: An Ongoing Battle
Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis (a long-lasting skin condition that causes inflammation and irritation), is a different kind of skin struggle. It’s not an infection and can’t be caught from others; it often runs in families. Eczema happens when the skin’s barrier doesn’t hold in moisture well, allowing irritants to get in. The result: dry, red, cracked, and extremely itchy skin, commonly found on the bends of the elbows and knees, the neck, and the hands. Children are frequent sufferers, and while some outgrow it, others don’t.
Dr. Akuto explains that eczema flares are often triggered by certain soaps, sweat, dry harmattan air, or stress. The itch can be severe enough to disrupt sleep. Managing eczema requires daily care: use thick, tub-style moisturisers, avoid known triggers, and use mild or no soap on sensitive areas. During flare-ups, doctors may prescribe steroid creams, but use them sparingly. Finding balance is key.
After receiving proper treatment, Hawi told the nurses, “I never thought about my skin as something alive until it started screaming at me.” He realised our skin is more than just a covering; it’s a living shield, sensing heat, cold, touch, and even invisible germs. It works hard to protect us, and we often take it for granted until something goes wrong.
He’s right: healthy skin doesn’t demand much. Clean water, your own towel, and a visit to a doctor when things get out of hand are usually enough.
If you find yourself scratching endlessly or worrying about a stubborn rash, skip the risky home remedies. Seek professional advice. Relief might be closer, and simpler, than you expect.
Health Tips
Simple remedies
• If you are scratching at night and cannot figure out why, think of Hawi. Scabies loves darkness and warmth. If others in your home are itching, too, do not wait three weeks. See a doctor.
• When someone in the house has ringworm, stop sharing towels. Stop sharing combs. Wash the sheets. Ringworm does not care that you are family. It will take everyone.
• That small red lump that hurts when you touch it? Leave it alone. Do not squeeze it. Squeezing pushes the infection deeper and makes everything worse. Instead, apply warm compresses several times a day. Let it come to a head on its own. If it grows bigger than a ping pong ball, or if you get them often, see a doctor.
• If you use the same razor until it tugs and pulls, you are inviting bacteria in. Dull blades create tiny cuts. Staph lives on skin all the time. It just needs a door.
• For eczema, thick cream in a tub beats runny lotion from a pump. Apply when skin is still damp after washing. It seals moisture in, not just on top.
• Eat colours. Oranges, mangoes, leafy greens, things that grow in the sun. Your skin fights infections better when you feed it well. Sugar works against you. Keep that in mind.
• Sleep matters more than you think. When you are run down, your skin barrier weakens. Things that normally would not bother you start flaring up. Rest is part of the routine.
• Change your bedsheet at least once a week. Dead skin cells accumulate where you sleep. So do dust mites. If you wake up stuffy or itchy, your sheet might be the problem.
• When you bathe, pay attention to the folds. Between toes, behind ears, under arms. Fungus and bacteria love warm, hidden places. Water and soap disrupt their party.
• If you have tried something from the pharmacy for two weeks and nothing has changed, stop guessing. Put down the home remedies. Go see someone who looks at skin all day. The answer is often simpler than you think, and the relief is worth more than the wait.
The writer is the Editorial Consultant of the Accountant Journal.
Email; [email protected]
