Medical experts are urging local residents to be aware of skin irritations caused by mites and infection as the city enters its annual plum rain season, a period marked by high temperatures and humidity.

Specifically, people with allergic skin conditions, children and the elderly are more like to suffer problems amid the current weather, doctors say.

“The number of our patients has doubled in recent days. June and July are peak season for skin diseases, especially during the plum rains,” said Dr Dai Junlai at Shanghai Ren’ai Hospital. “The weather is good for micro organisms like mites and mold. They are major irritants for inflammatory skin disease.”

In addition to mite bites, doctors also warn people about athlete’s foot if they don't keep their feet dry.

“It is important to clean and dry feet after they are soaked in the rain. To prevent cross-infection, people with athlete’s foot should separate their clothes from other family members, especially children,” Dai said.