4 Skin Diseases You Can Get in the Gym

Crowded gyms are a favorable environment for harmful bacteria such as fungi and viruses to thrive. This is the cause of skin diseases, causing discomfort, itching, and burning if not cleaned properly.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is the most common disease in the summer because the weather is too hot, the body sweats a lot. The disease is more common in people who exercise every day. The cause is that the components of sweat are acidic waste products of the body, causing adverse reactions in the skin, causing pores on the skin surface to expand and inflammatory cells to accumulate, causing dermatitis to arise.

Ulcers caused by dermatitis. Photo: Health

Skin fungus

Ringworm is a round patch of skin that is flaky and is a sign of a fungal infection. It is not very uncomfortable but can cause mild itching and make the skin look unsightly. This fungus lives in moist environments such as locker rooms, showers and pool areas or from other people.

To protect your body from fungus, you should limit direct contact with the bathroom floor, avoid sweaty exercise machines, and dry your body before getting dressed.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis causes red bumps or pustules. If the bumps are large, they can be painful. Like ringworm, this bacteria can hide in moist places. Therefore, improper cleaning and disinfection in gyms increases the risk of infection.

Folliculitis can be treated with oral or topical antibiotics.

Warts

When hard, horn-like, pale-colored, and sometimes speckled with black spots appear, it is a symptom of warts. These spots can be painful and often appear on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. The cause of warts can be due to poor hygiene, frequent contact in unsafe areas with many bacteria. When you have warts, see a doctor for examination. In cases where the warts are too large, surgery may be required.

Notes when going to the gym

Do not go barefoot when exercising, choose comfortable clothes. Do not wear wet clothes and dry yourself before getting dressed.

Avoid sharing towels or other personal items and use a clean towel every time you shower. Cover any open wounds before coming to practice. Limit direct skin contact with shared floors and mats.

People with skin diseases should stop exercising to get treatment and recover completely. Absolutely do not use any medicine without a doctor's prescription.