DOH advises women to wear cotton underwear amid extreme heat

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday advised females to use cotton underwear amid the extreme heat in the country to avoid  fungal infections.

The Health Dept. made this advice after House Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo Representative Janette Garin urged women not to wear underwear at home.

At a Senate hearing, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said Garin's advice has "basis" as fungal infection such as candidiasis develops in women's private parts due to heat.

"Moisture kasi allows the fungal infection to proliferate. So may basis yun... Related to the fungal infection and the heat, pag mainit, pinagpawisan, may moisture doon sa ating private areas of women, so it can lead to candidiasis or itchiness don sa kanilang genitalia, may basis naman po," Herbosa said.

"Ang usual advice for women suffering candidiasis is really to wear cotton underwear...kung ayaw niyo mag-commando, mag-cotton underwear because it also does not trap moisture," he added.

This advice was echoed by Health Undersecretary Emmie Chiong, citing her obstetrics and gynecology doctor's advice.

"I would frequent my OB-GYN also, and she also recommends using cotton underwear for women," she said.

For her part, Undersecretary Maria Francia Laxamana also encouraged the use of feminine wash to help prevent the growth of fungal infections.

Garin, a former Health secretary and a physician herself, recently advised women not to wear underwear especially if they are just in the confines of their homes.

"Minsan lalo na nasa tag-init — wala lang malisya, 'no? — pero kung nasa bahay ka lang naman at matutulog, it's quite advisable na walang underwear pero naka-pajama ka naman o naka-shorts," said Garin.

"'Yung ventilation na iyan ay epektibo para mapigilan at hindi na lumala 'yung fungal infection," she added.

(I mean no malice, but if you are just at home and sleeping, it's quite advisable not to wear underwear under your pajamas or shorts. The ventilation will be effective against fungal infection.)

According to Garin, women are more susceptible to fungal infections if they are wearing tight clothes amid the hot weather.

The high temperatures due to the dry season and the El Niño phenomenon has prompted many schools across the country to suspend face to face classes on Tuesday, April 2, so as not to put children's health at risk.

PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina on Monday warned that the heat index in the country could become worse this April.

The heat index is the measure of the temperature that a person feels, which is different from the actual air temperature. It is computed by factoring in the humidity as well as the air temperature.—RF, GMA Integrated News