12 Monsoon Health Problems and Their Kitchen Solutions

4. Mosquito-borne illness prevention (dengue and malaria)

Monsoon rains create many breeding grounds for mosquitoes and raise the risk of dengue and malaria in some regions. The key is prevention: reduce standing water in pots, gutters, buckets and plant saucers. At home, use physical barriers such as well-fitted window screens and mosquito nets over sleeping areas. Kitchen-based repellents can add a layer of protection: burning a small piece of camphor in a safe dish for short periods can help drive mosquitoes away from a room. A few drops of neem oil diluted in a carrier oil on exposed skin or in a diffuser may offer modest repellency; citrus peels simmered in water release a scent that mosquitoes dislike. Remember, these measures lower bite risk but do not prevent infection once bitten, and they cannot treat dengue or malaria. If someone develops high fever, severe headache, bleeding, or sudden fatigue after a mosquito bite, seek urgent medical care and testing without delay.