By Edward J. Thomas –
Gyms definitely have their benefits. But let’s face it, they are germ joints. Even in the post-pandemic world of heightened infection awareness, these sweat boxes are loaded with all sorts of nasty and sickening microscopic critters that are just waiting to turn the well sick. In fact, gyms have a ringworm connection, with their warm, damp environments providing the perfect breeding ground for this highly contagious fungal infection.
WellWell has been reporting on this for years. In fact, one story noted that the leading peeve of gym goers is that most users don’t disinfect equipment after they’ve used it and sweated all over it. This report went on to warn that one study conducted random tests of gym equipment and found more than 60 infectious bacteria lurking about on pieces of workout gear.
Fitness enthusiast Hillary Nguyen, for one, doesn’t need to be reminded of the threats, she recently told her followers that she had a hairy experience, literally, after picking up scalp ringworm from dirty gym equipment.
“PSA to all my gym girlies, if you’re not wiping down every single piece of equipment before you use it you’re gonna want to start,” she reported. “Three months ago, I discovered that I had scalp ringworm and it literally made me go bald,” she explained.
A doctor pretty much confirmed the ringworm source after Nguyen told him she goes to the gym virtually after day. Thankfully, after about three months, Nguyen’s hair-raising hair-loss problems began to abate. But her story sent a rightful fright into her followers,
“I sanitize my phone with alcohol wipes and wash my hands right after the gym. I’m so scared to catch something!!! No one wipes stuff down at my gym,” one follower responded to her.
Another said, “Well, new fear re-unlocked. I do wipe all equipment but this was like not an active conscious thought about ringworm avoidance ‘til now.”
Nguyen even received confirmation that she wasn’t the only one who got whacked. “I got ringworm from the mats at my gym a while back. It sucked!” an annoyed follower decried. “Def bring wipes and disinfectant if you can. Some gyms don’t keep up with it like they should.”
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) underscored the threat people face of getting ringworm at gyms.
“This is because bacteria, viruses and fungi that cause skin infections to develop, thrive in warm, moist places like sweaty exercise equipment and locker room showers,” the association reported.
Wiping isn’t the only way to keep ringworm and infections at bay. The AAD also advises wearing loose-fitting, moisture-wicking clothes, always wearing shoes, disinfecting equipment before and after using it, washing or sanitizing hands immediately after working out and showering as soon as possible.
