About this topic
Whether you work out, exercise, or play sports, you are working to keep your body healthy. At the same time, you may be exposing your body to more germs. Germs are everywhere, but certain germs are likely to be found around a gym, locker room, or sports equipment. It is important to know how to best protect yourself to stay healthy. ‚
General
As an athlete, you may share equipment, mats, or a locker room shower with others. This can expose your skin to germs for diseases like athletes foot, ringworm, or staph infections. If you have a scrape, cut, or sore and work out, others are exposed to your germs. ‚
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What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Here are some tips to lower your chances of getting an infection from the gym. ‚
- Soap and water are your best defense.
- Take a shower as soon as possible after your activity. Use a liquid soap.
- If you choose to shower at home after your game or workout, at least wash your hands with warm soapy water.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. Alcohol based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs.
- Do not share personal items.
- Always use your own towel, razor, comb, brush, or clippers.
- Do not share uniforms, helmets, or pads.
- Always use your own deodorant and other personal hygiene items.
- Clearly label your own bottle of water to drink from and do not share it with others.
- Stay away from the gym if you are ill so that you do not pass germs to others.
- Keep everything clean.
- Wash your practice clothes, uniform, and towel each time you wear them. Dry them in a hot dryer after each use. Also wash your gym bag. Then you will be putting your clean clothes in a clean bag instead of putting your clean clothes in a dirty bag.
- Wipe down exercise machines before and after you use them. Most gyms provide a disinfectant cleaner for you to use.
- Mats and wall coverings should also be wiped down each day they are used.
- Treat scrapes, cuts, and sores right away.
- Talk to a trainer, coach, or doctor if you have a scrape, cut, or sore, especially if it does not seem to be healing well.
- Never share ointments.
- If you are given a drug to treat the wound, take it as ordered. Finish all of the drug, even if you are feeling better.
- Cover all wounds before working out.
- Wash your hands before and after you touch a wound or change a bandage.
- Keep the wound clean and dry. Do not use the gym if you have a draining wound. You can spread your infection to other people.
- Protect yourself.
- Wear flip-flops or shower shoes. Do not walk barefoot in the shower or gym.
- Wear clothes designed to wick moisture away from your skin. This keeps your skin dry and limits germs from growing.
- Use your own barrier between your skin and locker room surfaces. For example, sit on a towel in the steam room or sauna instead of the bare bench.
- Inspect your skin for rashes, cuts, sores, bumps, or blisters after your workout.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Skin itches, burns, or is red and warm to the touch
- Wound is draining pus or drainage smells badly
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Dermatology ‚
http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/health-and-beauty/general-skin-care/how-to-prevent-skin-conditions-in-athletes ‚
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/community/team-hc-providers/advice-for-athletes.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚