Pilgrims who attended the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj find their skin facing several skin conditions, including itching, rashes, and fungus. Dermatologists say the linked ailments are due to Mela’s dirty environment, wet clothes for hours, and communal bathing.
As per the report of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), both the Ganga and the Yamuna are highly polluted, and the level of coliform bacteria in the water is much higher than the permissible limit. Dozens of skin infection cases are being linked to bathing in contaminated water, the high humidity, and poor sanitation at the gathering.