How to avoid fungal infections in the gym?

Regularly working out at the gym will help us have a fit and healthy body. But one of the health risks of going to the gym regularly is the risk of skin fungal infections, especially in gyms with poor hygiene.

Compared to the benefits of gym, the risk of skin fungus infection is negligible. However, careful prevention is still necessary because skin fungus will cause many uncomfortable symptoms, according to the health website Medical News Today (UK).

Not washing gym shoes regularly will increase the risk of fungal skin infections.

There are many different types of skin fungus. Common symptoms include redness, itching, pain, blisters, and spread to other parts of the body. One of the most common fungal infections is ringworm, also known as tinea or ringworm. It is caused by dermatophyte fungi.

Dermatophyte fungi thrive in moist, warm, and dark environments such as locker rooms, toilets in gyms, swimming pools, or sneakers that are not regularly washed. Symptoms of skin contact with the fungus will appear after 4 to 14 days.

Ringworm usually appears on the skin in round or oval patches, the fungal infection is red, itchy, and even blisters. Scratching can cause the blisters to burst, thereby increasing the risk of skin infection. The disease can appear anywhere on the body, most commonly on the legs, arms, back and neck.

Like many other types of fungal skin infections, the fungus that causes ringworm can easily penetrate the skin of the feet when we walk barefoot or have direct skin contact with unsanitary areas such as barbell handles and weight plates. In addition, common areas such as saunas and towel storage areas are also at high risk of fungal infections because they are often damp and are intermediate areas in contact with the skin.

To prevent this, people should wear slippers or shoes when going to the toilet in the gym or swimming pool. After exercising, people should not wear socks and underwear for a long time, but should take them off and wash them.

Frequently touched surfaces in the gym should be cleaned or disinfected. Experts also recommend avoiding sharing towels, combs, clothes, and other personal items.

Fungal skin infections can usually be easily treated with topical medications. Fungal skin infections, including ringworm, can lead to permanent damage to the skin, leaving rough and discolored patches, if left untreated, according to Medical News Today .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lam-sao-de-tranh-nhiem-nam-da-trong-phong-gym-185241121135913825.htm