Water washed diseases

Water washed diseases are caused by water scarcity where people cannot wash themselves, their clothes or home regularly.

Trachoma is the main cause of preventable blindness in the developing world, with four million sufferers, an estimated 500 million at risk and six million permanently blinded.

It is common in areas that are hot, dry and dusty and where there is not enough water for people to wash regularly.

Trachoma is spread, especially among young children, by flies, fingers and clothing coming into contact with infected eyes, spreading the infection to other people's eyes.

Effect on health: The infection causes a sticky eye discharge with soreness and swelling of the eyelids. After repeated infections scarring of the inner eyelids occurs which can lead to trichiasis where the eyelashes turn inwards.

These then rub on the eye, scarring the cornea and causing blindness.

Prevention: Trachoma can be prevented through regular hand and face washing with a good supply of clean water, along with hygiene education to help prevent flies from breeding.

Scabies occurs in areas where there is a lack of water and people are unable to wash themselves, their clothes, bedclothes or houses regularly.

It is caused by the scabies mite which infests the surface layer of the skin. The mite can spread from one person to another through personal contact.

Effect on health: Scabies causes itchy sores and lesions mainly between the fingers, wrists, elbows, breasts and pubic areas.

In younger sufferers more areas, including baby's feet and the head, can be infected. Because sufferers often scratch the sores and lesions they become prone to other infections.

Prevention: Washing regularly with soap and keeping clothes, bedclothes and houses clean prevents scabies.