Can You Pick Up Ringworm And Nail Fungus At The Gym?
The incidence of fungal infections of the skin and nails has been increasing in recent years. Some health authorities attribute this in part to rising numbers of people using public facilities such as gyms, changing rooms, spas and saunas.
It’s very easy to pick up a fungal infection at the gym, especially in showers and changing rooms. But skin infections may also be transmitted from person to person by using shared gym equipment. The most common fungal infections are ringworm, athletes foot, jock itch and nail fungus.
If you want to be as safe as possible from picking up an infection at the gym consider showering with medicated soap after a workout and use only your own exercise mat, towels, water bottles, soaps and so on. Never walk around barefoot in a gym but wear thongs or a neoprene foot cover for added protection (but remember to still wash your feet carefully). For extra protection consider wiping down equipment that you use with a medicated wipe. As fungi thrive in warm, moist and airless environments it also makes sense to change out of any clothes and shoes that are damp from perspiration as soon as possible. Put on clean garments that are as loose fitting as possible.
The good news is that most superficial fungal infections such as athletes foot and ringworm respond well to over the counter topical treatments such as Lamisil cream, power and gels. The treatment of nail fungus (toenails are more affected than fingernail) is more challenging as the fungus resides deep within the nail. Some sufferers have had success with nail fungus home remedies but these may not be effective for all cases. A range of topical treatments have been designed to treat nail fungus, but need to be applied over a period of months. As a last resort. oral prescription based drugs are available.
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