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Attention Your gym may be giving you shingles; Know how this dangerous skin infection spreads
When you go to the gym regularly, you may get an infection like gym rash or ringworm – a highly contagious fungal skin problem that thrives in warm, dark, moist environments and causes athlete’s foot and jock itch. While athletes get white, scaly, and itchy blisters on their feet, jock itch causes red, painful, and itchy, red-sized spots in the groin area. Read on to know some ways to prevent this.
Walking barefoot in the gym or using dirty equipment like handles and weights can spread any type of infection, including ringworm.
According to experts, ringworm is one of the most common fungal infections caused by a fungus called dermatophyte. It thrives in warm, dark, moist environments like gym locker rooms and sweaty sneakers, and causes athlete’s foot and jock itch. While athletes get white, scaly, and itchy blisters on their feet, jock itch causes red, painful, and itchy, red-sized spots in the groin area.
All types of ringworm can cause red, scaly circles anywhere on your body, including your hands, feet, and midsection.
How is ringworm infection spread in the gym?
In the gym, any type of infection – including ringworm, can be spread by walking around barefoot or using unclean equipment such as handles and weights. Additionally, common areas such as sauna rooms and benches where towels are shared pose serious risks due to moisture and the potential for skin contact.
Because ringworm, which usually begins as a flat and discolored patch, thrives in warm temperatures, the prevalence of skin-to-surface contact and the presence of moisture make the infection particularly vulnerable to transmission in shared facilities such as gyms. Is hypersensitive.
Symptoms and signs of ringworm infection
Symptoms of ringworm infection usually appear between four to 14 days after your skin comes into contact with the fungus that causes ringworm. Some signs include:
- circular, ring-shaped scales or plaques
- flat patch with a raised, rounded border
- itchy, dry skin
- Hair loss or bald spots in the affected area
How can you prevent ringworm infections at the gym?
According to experts, preventing ringworm infection includes:
- Change your socks and underwear daily or more often if they get wet or dirty
- showering immediately after contact sports or exercise
- wearing sandals or shower shoes in pools and public locker rooms and showers
- Dry your skin thoroughly after bathing, especially the skin between your toes.
- Avoid sharing towels, washcloths, sheets, clothes, combs or other personal hygiene items
- Washing clothes, athletic gear, sheets, and towels in hot water and detergent
- Disinfecting surfaces with bleach or spray
- wash hands thoroughly
long term effects of shingles
Even though ringworm infection may not compromise your immune system or impair its function, repeated infections cause permanent damage to the skin such as thinning, roughness, and changes in pigmentation. According to doctors, people with weak immunity like diabetes or vitamin deficiency are more likely to get frequent infections.
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