Fungal infections can be itchy and annoying, but they’re rarely serious.

Common infections such as athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm are caused by fungus and are easy to get and to pass around. In healthy people, they usually don’t spread beyond the skin’s surface, so they’re easy to treat.

If you spend a lot of time at the gym, consider these steps to protect yourself against infections and fungal infections.

• Air out your sneakers between wears to prevent athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot causes itchy, burning, cracked, and peeling feet. It usually develops between the toes and can spread via wet locker room floors, sweaty socks, and damp shoes. Prevent it by wearing shower shoes at the gym, washing your feet daily, drying them well, and wearing clean socks.
• Storing damp or wet workout clothes in you locker or gym bag is an invitation for fungus to grow. Having your clothes up to dry before cramming them in your locker, and take them home at least once a week to be washed.
• Loose-Fitting clothes are best for physical activity. If you have acne on your arms, back, or shoulders, keeping it loose cuts down on the amount of friction on your body. Friction can make your acne worse.
• Thoroughly clean your water bottle after each time you use it. This will prevent bacteria from growing inside.
• Wear flip-flops to walk around the locker room. Those wet floors are popular hangouts for fungi looking for afoot to grab on to, and may cause fungal infections of your toenails.
• Always wear a clean, dry athletic supporter or pair of underwear when you participate in sports or your regular activity. Otherwise, you are at risk for a nasty case of jock itch.
• Shower immediately and dry off well after you work out. It will remove sweat and fungi from your skin, reducing the risk of getting athlete’s foot and jock itch.
• When you are at the gym, using two towels can help cut down on the spread of bacteria. Use one to wipe off the equipment before and after you use it, and one to wipe the sweat from your skin.
• Sweatbands can trap sweat in your pores and provide a perfect place for bacteria to grow and cause acne, so it’s best not to wear them.
• When sitting in the locker room, sit on a clean towel. Damp benches can be germ-fests of bacteria and fungi that can easily spread from person to person. If you can, get dressed first before you sit down.

Look out for Fungal Infections at the Gym

Article Source: Infections at the Gym.