A Typical Scenario: Seven Mornings of Wading for Uncle Chai

This example case is a composite of situations common after floods, not a review from any specific customer. Uncle Chai, in his early sixties, lives in a two-storey wooden house beside a river in Ubon Ratchathani. During the flood he waded through knee- to waist-deep water every morning to collect relief bags, help neighbours lift belongings and walk his granddaughter to the bus at the end of the lane. Sometimes he wore flip-flops, sometimes nothing, because his only pair of boots leaked.

By day three the skin between his toes was white, soft and itchy. On day five he stepped on a splinter hidden in the murky water. He rinsed the cut with tap water and covered it with a plaster. Two days later it was red, hot, swollen and painful. His eight-year-old granddaughter, meanwhile, had small pus spots on her leg where she had scratched mosquito bites. Uncle Chai has had diabetes for years, so his daughter took him to hospital straight away. The doctor treated the wound, asked about his tetanus vaccination history and warned that people with diabetes need to take extra care with wounds exposed to water and soil.

Back home, his daughter noticed that the bathroom floor everyone walked on barefoot, the permanently damp doormat, shoes soaked all week and shared towels might be passing fungi and bacteria around the family. Her questions about which germs cause skin problems after floods, and what else the house needed, are where this ranking begins.

The 2026 Floods and Skin Infections

According to a Daily News report citing Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) at 06:00 on 5 October 2026, floods affected 26 provinces plus Bangkok, a total of 1,270,151 households. Huge numbers of people waded, carried belongings, washed houses and worked in wet conditions for days. Skin soaked for long periods softens, peels and develops tiny cracks that let germs in.

The Department of Disease Control warns each flood season about immersion foot, infected skin and leptospirosis, which can enter through wounds or water-softened skin. CDC advises avoiding floodwater when you have a wound, washing wounds with soap and clean water, seeing a doctor if a wound becomes red, swollen or oozes, and checking your tetanus vaccination status after a dirty wound.

How We Ranked Skin Infection Germs from Floodwater (Editorial, Not Official)

This is an editorial ranking by the WHD team for education. It is not an official ranking by any health authority and does not use this year's case data. Our criteria:

1. Flood link in agency guidance: how often WHO, CDC and the Department of Disease Control mention the problem during floods.
2. How common it is in daily life after floods: everyday problems such as immersion foot and infected cuts score highly.
3. Severity if ignored: germs that can spread from skin into the blood or the whole body score higher.
4. At-risk groups: people with diabetes, older adults, people with liver disease or weak immunity, and children.
5. Role of household surfaces and items: how much bathroom floors, shoes, towels and doormats contribute to spread.

The result is a guide to what to know and watch for first, not a claim that number one is most common everywhere, and not a diagnostic tool. Anyone with an unusual wound or rash should see a doctor or pharmacist.

Why Skin Becomes a Doorway for Germs After Floods

Healthy skin is a strong barrier, but hours of soaking each day make its outer layer swell, soften and peel. Damp spaces between the toes turn white and develop almost invisible cracks. Floodwater also carries glass, nails, wood and branches, causing grazes, punctures and cuts. Once skin is breached, germs from water, soil, mud and even our own skin can get in. The risk does not vanish when the water drops: damp houses, muddy bathroom floors, shoes that never dry and clothes washed in dirty water still harbour fungi and bacteria that pass between people through bare feet and shared items.

Skin Infection Germs from Floodwater Ranked: The Top 10

No. 1: Dermatophyte Fungi (such as Trichophyton), Behind Fungal Immersion Foot

Why first: early immersion foot is irritation from long soaking, but when feet stay damp, dermatophyte fungi such as Trichophyton move in, causing athlete's foot (known in Thailand as "Hong Kong foot"). It is the most common skin complaint among people who wade, and it spreads at home via bathroom floors and doormats.

Where it hides: bathroom floors, damp doormats, soaked shoes and socks, shared towels and floors not yet fully dry.

Symptoms and risk: white, soggy, itchy, peeling or stinging skin between the toes, odour, sometimes blisters or cracks. People who wade for long periods, people with diabetes and older adults should take care, as cracks can let bacteria in. Ask a doctor or pharmacist for suitable treatment.

Prevention: wear boots in water, wash feet with soap and clean water straight after, dry between the toes, change socks often and never share foot towels.

Cleaning and spraying: Trichophyton is not named on WHD's pages, so we make no organism-specific claim. It belongs to the fungi group the product says it covers. Washing then spraying bathroom floors, hallways and shoe areas reduces germs on surfaces bare feet touch. Ask WHD for test data if needed.

No. 2: Staphylococcus aureus

Why here: "staph" lives harmlessly on the skin and in the noses of many people, but through cuts and scratches it causes infected wounds, boils, pustules and impetigo in children. After floods there are plenty of small wounds and few chances to clean them properly.

Where it hides: towels, sheets, pillowcases, rails, door handles and shared first-aid items.

Symptoms and risk: red, hot, painful swelling with pus, pustules or boils. Children who scratch bites, people with diabetes and the immunocompromised are at higher risk. Fever, fast-spreading redness or red streaks from a wound need a doctor urgently.

Prevention: wash wounds with soap and clean water, cover them with clean dressings changed when wet, keep children's nails short and do not share towels.

Cleaning and spraying: not named on WHD's pages; part of the bacteria group the product covers. Spraying touch points and bathrooms after washing reduces surface germs, but wounds need medical care. Never spray disinfectant onto skin or wounds.

No. 3: Streptococcus pyogenes, a Cause of Cellulitis

Why here: group A strep causes impetigo and cellulitis, an infection of the deeper skin and tissue beneath. It enters through cracked toe webs, grazes or scratches, and alongside staph it is a frequent cause of infected wounds after floods.

Where it hides: shared personal items and hands that touch other people's wounds.

Symptoms and risk: spreading red, hot, tender swelling, often with fever and chills, usually on legs and feet. People with diabetes, older adults and those with chronically swollen legs are at higher risk. Cellulitis needs a doctor; do not wait it out.

Prevention: treat immersion foot early so cracks do not become entry points, wash wounds immediately and check them daily.

Cleaning and spraying: not named on WHD's pages; part of the bacteria group. Surface care at home supports, but treatment belongs to doctors. Ask WHD for data.

No. 4: Leptospira, the Cause of Leptospirosis, Entering Through Skin

Why here: leptospirosis is not a skin disease, but Leptospira enters the body through skin that is cut, grazed or water-softened, and through the eyes and mouth. The Department of Disease Control warns about it in every flood because it comes from rat and animal urine in water and mud, and it can become severe without treatment.

Where it hides: standing floodwater, mud in houses, spaces under raised houses, storerooms and rat-infested areas.

Symptoms and risk: sudden high fever, headache, severe muscle pain especially in the calves, red eyes, sometimes yellow skin or reduced urine. If you develop fever after wading, see a doctor and mention the wading.

Prevention: wear boots and rubber gloves when wading or shovelling mud, cover wounds with waterproof dressings, shower right after and remove rat food sources.

Cleaning and spraying: not named on WHD's pages, so no tested claim; it belongs to the bacteria group. Removing mud, washing and then spraying under-house areas and rat zones reduces surface contamination. Ask WHD for data.

No. 5: Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Why here: this moisture-loving bacterium lives in water, soil and drains and infects wounds that stay wet, nail folds and hair follicles. It rarely troubles healthy people but matters for chronic wounds and weak immunity.

Where it hides: drains, sponges, bathtubs, sink edges, damp cloths and soggy shoes.

Symptoms and risk: blue-green pus or a distinctive odour, follicle rash; people with diabetes, chronic wounds or weak immunity should see a doctor.

Prevention: keep wounds clean and dry, change wet dressings, discard flooded sponges and dry the bathroom after use.

Cleaning and spraying: not named on WHD's pages; part of the bacteria group. Remove slime from drains and tubs, then spray bathrooms. Ask WHD for data.

Ranks 6 to 10: Waterborne Wound Bacteria, Yeasts, Soil Bacteria and Tetanus

No. 6: Aeromonas

Why here: Aeromonas lives in fresh and brackish water and is described in medical literature as a cause of wound infection after contact with floodwater or river water.

Where it hides: standing floodwater, natural water and river mud.

Symptoms and risk: fast-spreading redness and swelling after water exposure; people with liver disease, cancer or weak immunity are at risk of severe illness. See a doctor and mention floodwater contact.

Prevention: avoid wading with wounds, use waterproof dressings and wash wounds with soap and clean water immediately.

Cleaning and spraying: not named on WHD's pages; spraying treats surfaces where flood mud settled after washing.

No. 7: Vibrio vulnificus, from Brackish and Sea Water

Why here: CDC warns that Vibrio vulnificus, found in warm brackish and sea water, can cause serious wound infections after coastal flooding or storm surges. It is uncommon, hence a mid ranking, but severity is very high, especially with liver disease.

Where it hides: coastal and estuary floodwater and areas reached by sea water.

Symptoms and risk: red, very painful swelling, sometimes blisters, spreading quickly. People with liver disease, heavy drinkers and the immunocompromised must go to hospital at once if a wound exposed to brackish water becomes very painful and swollen.

Prevention: people with wounds or liver disease should avoid coastal floodwater, wear boots and use waterproof dressings.

Cleaning and spraying: not named on WHD's pages, and surface spraying is not the main defence; keeping wounds out of brackish water is.

No. 8: Candida, Yeast in Skin Folds and Around Nails

Why here: Candida normally lives on skin, but long dampness in skin folds, groins or around the nails of people whose hands are wet all day from cleaning lets it overgrow into itchy rashes. Babies in damp nappies are also affected.

Where it hides: clothes that never fully dried, damp towels and rubber gloves worn for hours with sweaty hands inside.

Symptoms and risk: moist red rash, itching, burning, small spots at the edge, or red swollen nail folds; people with diabetes, older adults, larger bodies and babies should see a doctor or pharmacist.

Prevention: keep skin and folds dry, wear fully dry clothes, rest hands from gloves and change nappies often.

Cleaning and spraying: not named on WHD's pages; part of the fungi group. Reducing household damp and spraying surfaces lowers reservoirs. Ask WHD for data.

No. 9: Burkholderia pseudomallei, the Cause of Melioidosis

Why here: this bacterium lives in soil and water in many parts of Thailand, especially the Northeast, and enters through wounds in contact with soil and water, by inhalation or by drinking contaminated water. The Department of Disease Control warns about melioidosis in the rainy season and floods because it can be severe in people with diabetes.

Where it hides: mud, rice fields, natural water and mud washed into houses.

Symptoms and risk: anything from skin abscesses and prolonged fever to cough, pneumonia or bloodstream infection. People with diabetes, kidney disease or heavy drinking are at high risk. See a doctor for fever after soil or water contact and mention it.

Prevention: boots and gloves in mud, waterproof dressings, boiled water, and extra care for people with diabetes.

Cleaning and spraying: not named on WHD's pages. Removing all mud and washing is most important; spraying is an added step. Ask WHD for data.

No. 10: Clostridium tetani, the Cause of Tetanus

Why here: tetanus spores in soil, dust and animal dung are extremely tough and enter through punctures, deep or dirty wounds, such as stepping on a nail in floodwater. WHO and CDC warn about tetanus after disasters. It ranks last not because it is minor, but because the main tools are vaccination and wound care, not surface disinfection.

Where it hides: mud, wood, nails, metal scraps and washed-in debris.

Symptoms and risk: muscle stiffness, locked jaw and spasms. People never or incompletely vaccinated, and older adults without recent boosters, are at risk. After a puncture or dirty wound, see a doctor about tetanus vaccination as advised.

Prevention: thick-soled boots when wading or clearing debris, immediate wound washing and checking your vaccination record with a doctor.

Cleaning and spraying: tetanus spores resist many disinfectants and are not named on WHD's pages, so we do not claim spraying prevents tetanus. Clearing sharp debris, removing mud and seeing a doctor for wounds are what help.

Household Spots That Pass On Skin Infection Germs

• Bathroom and shower floors: everyone is barefoot and the floor is always damp, the main route for foot fungi.
• Doormats and towels: rarely fully dry after floods; wash in clean water and sun-dry, or replace.
• Shoes and boots: soaked for days; wash and dry before wearing again.
• Under-house spaces and storerooms: leftover mud, rats and sharp debris.
• Rails, handles and beds: touched by hands that just handled wounds or shoes.
• First-aid kits: discard gauze and cotton that got wet in floodwater.

Why Scrubbing or Pouring Bleach Alone May Not Be Enough

Detergent and scrubbing are the most important way to remove mud, which harbours many germs on this list, but they do not kill all fungi and bacteria in tile grout, wall edges and still-damp areas. Bleach is often used too strong, irritating skin and lungs, or poured onto muddy floors where it loses effect, and mixing it with acidic toilet cleaners can release dangerous gas. Another common mistake is spraying or rubbing surface disinfectant onto skin or wounds. Do not do this. Surface disinfectants are for surfaces; wounds need soap, clean water and medical advice. Homes need the right sequence: remove mud, wash, dry, then spray by trained technicians.

WHD Post-Flood Disinfection Spraying with CHEMGENE HLD4H

According to service information, trained WHD technicians spray and/or ULV-fog (Ultra Low Volume fine mist) CHEMGENE HLD4H, a medical-grade UK disinfectant containing benzalkonium chloride and didecyldimethylammonium chloride. WHD's pages describe it as broad-spectrum against viruses, bacteria and fungi, listing SARS-CoV-2, human coronavirus 229E, RSV, H1N1, H5N1, HIV, norovirus, hand, foot and mouth virus, vaccinia virus, mycobacteria, Salmonella, Bordetella pertussis, and bacteria and fungi in general, with 99.99% stated on the service page. Listed endorsements include the Department of Medical Sciences, Mahidol University, NHS England and EN 14476:2013+A2:2019.

None of the ten germs in this ranking is named individually on those pages, so we make no organism-specific tested claim. Most belong to the bacteria or fungi groups the product says it covers, and WHO and CDC advise cleaning then disinfecting flood-exposed surfaces. We make no claim at all for tetanus spores. Ask WHD for test data on any organism that concerns you.

Spraying happens after mud removal and washing. People and pets leave the zone and return at the time the technicians give, typically about 30 minutes according to service information. We do not claim there is no residue. Spraying looks after surfaces, not wounds or rashes; anyone with a red, swollen wound, fever or a rash that is not improving must see a doctor.

1. Survey: call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268 with house size, flood depth, and whether anyone has diabetes, wounds or is a young child.
2. Remove mud and wash: clear sharp debris, wash floors, walls, bathrooms and under-house areas, discard flooded doormats and sponges, and dry the house.
3. Zone: bathrooms, entrance and shoe area, bedrooms and under-house; everyone leaves the zone.
4. Spray: with focus on bathroom floors, grout, hallways, rails, bed edges and former rat areas.
5. Re-enter: after the advised time, ventilate, and keep bathroom floors dry after use.

WHD serves homes, residential buildings, hospitals, schools, malls, airports, offices, airlines and banks, with a free CHEMGENE spray bottle and WELLGIENIC wet tissues and tax invoices available.

10 Reasons to Spray When Skin Problems Hit the Household

1. Barefoot bathroom floors are washed and sprayed thoroughly.
2. Fungi and bacteria passed around on surfaces are reduced.
3. It suits homes with people with diabetes or older adults.
4. It suits homes with crawling children.
5. Disinfectant reaches grout, wall edges and under-house areas.
6. No harsh home-mixed chemicals irritating skin and noses.
7. Protected technicians do the work, so people with wounds need not.
8. Short wait, about 30 minutes per service information.
9. Part of a complete recovery plan; see the service page.
10. Families feel confident walking barefoot at home again.

Before and After

Example Case: Uncle Chai's Riverside Wooden House

In this illustrative case, after Uncle Chai's wound was treated, relatives cleared mud and nails from under the house, threw out the soggy doormat and flip-flops, scrubbed the bathroom and let the house dry for two days so he did not have to do heavy work. WHD then sprayed three zones: bathroom and shower area, entrance and shoe area, and under the house, while the family waited in the pavilion out front. Technicians advised drying boots upside down daily and wiping the bathroom floor after showers. The family now washes and dries feet on coming home, and Uncle Chai checks his feet each evening as his doctor advised.

Checklist

• Body: boots and gloves in water and mud; waterproof dressings; wash and dry feet right after; daily foot checks for people with diabetes; see a doctor for red, oozing wounds, fever or dirty punctures, and ask about tetanus vaccination.
• Home: remove mud and sharp debris; wash and dry; discard flooded mats, sponges and first-aid supplies; sun-dry towels and bedding; book spraying after washing; keep bathroom floors dry; never share towels.

FAQ

Is immersion foot always fungal? No. It starts as irritation from soaking; fungi or bacteria may follow if feet stay damp. Ask a doctor or pharmacist.

Can I spray disinfectant on my feet or a wound? No. Surface disinfectants are for surfaces only. Wash wounds with soap and clean water and follow medical advice.

I have diabetes and a wound after wading. What now? Wash it, cover it and see a doctor promptly; people with diabetes face higher risk of wound infection and melioidosis.

Does spraying prevent tetanus? No. Vaccination and wound care do.

Does the product kill foot fungus? It is described as covering fungi in general, but Trichophyton is not named, so we make no specific claim; ask WHD for data.

Get Your Home Dry, Clean and Sprayed with WHD

Book Post-Flood Disinfection Spraying

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE @whd268

Related Services and References

• WHD Disinfection Spraying Service
• Residential Ozone Disinfection for damp, musty homes
• Daily News, DDPM flood update, 06:00 5 Oct 2026: dailynews.co.th/news/6249374
• WHO fact sheets: who.int; CDC Floods: cdc.gov/floods; Department of Disease Control: ddc.moph.go.th