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Going to fitness clubs, regular exercise and cardio workouts, a huge pile of muscles – all this is traditionally associated with health in people. Indeed, during strength and aerobic exercise, our brain is cleansed and freed from problems, it receives the oxygen it needs, and the blood rushes to all vital organs, which cannot be bad.
So it is, but places of general congestion of people still need to be visited carefully. Public showers and saunas, exercise machines common to all, rugs and mats, poorly ventilated air – all these factors contribute to the reproduction of pathogenic microflora. Yes, yes, you read that right – you can catch a disease in the gym!
If you do not follow the rules of personal hygiene and do not wear personal items, then the risk of getting sick not only with unpleasant skin pathologies, but also with serious systemic diseases that may require hospitalization increases.
Below we will look at 10 such sores that “live” in gyms.
10 Skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus
Of course, at the very beginning we will place skin infections, since it is with the skin that we come into contact with common objects where bacteria live.
A person diligently lifts weight, sweats, wipes the sweat with his hand. Then suddenly there are purulent inflammations with a light crust – hello Staphylococcus aureus! This bacterium affects not only the skin, but also internal organs, and is also resistant to a number of antibiotics.
Trainers recommend taking a shower after class, using a personal towel, which must be washed after each visit to the gym. It will not be superfluous to use an antiseptic for hands before grabbing the next simulator.
9. Klebsiella meningitis
The indicated bacterium is normal for the microflora of our intestines, therefore it is only conditionally pathogenic. However, with weak immunity and other adverse conditions, the infection can become aggressive, affecting the respiratory organs and urinary canals.
In rare cases, Klebsiella causes blood disorders and the dangerous pathology meningitis, which has life-threatening consequences. The bacterium is transmitted by household means, so it is very easy to pick it up on exercise machines, rugs, barbells and any objects that an infected person has touched.
8. Inflammation of the respiratory tract caused by streptococcus
Do not be alarmed, but doctors know at least two dozen types of streptococci that are transmitted both by airborne droplets and by household means. That is why the threat of picking up a bacterium in the gym is increasing: there is a large crowd of people, and there are enough things for common use.
If, after a good workout, you decide to take a steam bath in the general sauna, then the risk of catching streptococcus increases several times. Wipe your hands with an antiseptic before you take on the next simulator after a coughing sweaty peasant. And don’t forget to bring your own towel.
7. Candidiasis
Did you think thrush only happens to girls and is related to gynecology? Not at all, candidiasis is provoked by fungi of the genus Candida, which can also cause ringworm.
Of course, you still need to manage to pick up disputes in the gym, for example, illiterately use a public toilet, shower and sauna.
The fungus can penetrate not only the epidermis, but also the nail plate. If you feel the first symptoms, immediately give up the sauna and warm bath at home, as the pathogen loves a warm and humid environment.
6. Flu
It’s no secret that it’s easy to get sick in a poorly ventilated room at the height of an epidemic. The more people cramming into the gym and actively coughing in the air, the higher the risk of catching the virus.
Scientists, of course, argue that the virus on the surface does not survive more than 3-4 hours. However, this is quite enough to pick it up by airborne or domestic means, given that training only takes 1-2 hours.
It will not be superfluous to strengthen immunity during epidemics, drink tea with ginger and lemon, and sometimes “arm yourself” with a cotton-gauze bandage.
5. Human papillomavirus
Here’s one reason why you should definitely wear shoes at the gym. Even if you signed up for Pilates or yoga, you should wear thick socks or light moccasins on your feet. The risk of catching a dangerous type of HPV is not so high, but getting painful and ugly growths on the skin is quite likely.
Some types of virus, according to scientists, can increase the risk of oncology. The sore is transmitted by contact with infected surfaces, the patient’s skin.
Do you need such problems if simple footwear and hygiene can reduce the likelihood of illness?
4. foot fungus
An unpleasant disease that is quite common in gyms, especially in the summer. Harmful fungi live in the sauna, swimming pool and shared showers, so we recommend that you purchase rubber slippers in advance.
By the way, sports mats and mats can also contain spores, especially if someone was standing on them barefoot. If the inventory in your hall does not undergo regular disinfection (or at least the room is not quartzized), then it is better to change the institution.
And one more thing: never take towels from the club administration, as ordinary washing does not kill mushroom spores!
3. E. coli
Pick up a bacterium – just spit. It’s enough just not to wash your hands and eat a fitness salad or drink fresh fruit at the bar. In addition, the wand lives everywhere: door handles, exercise equipment rails, mats, rugs, showers, toilets, etc.
Immediately after visiting the gym for training, wash your hands, or even better, wipe them with chlorhexidine. The first symptoms of poisoning will be diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and in case of complications, you can get pneumonia.
2. Акне
Thought that inflamed pimples were the lot of teenagers? Be that as it may, even an adult uncle can go all over in spots if he puffs hard on the simulators. It turns out that too tight clothing or any other friction during exercise can cause acne mechanics. Most often, the inguinal region, buttocks, and armpits suffer.
Do not rush to pull on a trendy synthetic jumpsuit purchased at a specialty store. Only breathable and natural fabrics contribute to a healthy workout.
1. “Road” rash
Do you like to play on rugs and mats? Gymnastics, of course, is good, but if not zealous. It turns out that intense rubbing exercises can lead to skin lesions that vaguely resemble first-degree burns. The skin swells and turns red, aching, and then covered with a crust.
If a “road” rash has happened from your diligence, then it’s time to apply a sterile bandage and go to the doctor for ointment. Keep in mind that the gym is a breeding ground for infections, and something worse can join an open wound.
These are the sores that live in the depths of our sports clubs. Of course, they are not terrible for people with good immunity, a healthy lifestyle and positive thinking. But it won’t hurt to be safe once again.