Skin Woes Athletes Need To Avert
Due to vigorous exercise routines, sweating it out in hot humid temperatures and the use of tight clothing, athletes are quite prone to skin infections. Some of the common skin infections that afflict athletes are as follows:
Tinea Pedis Or Athlete’s Foot
Athletes need to wear closed shoes and socks for a long time and the resultant sweating in-between the toes, make them prone to infections in this area. Hence, fungal infections or candida infections on the feet cause itchiness and redness along with peeling and fungi on the toe nails. The preventive measures like keeping the area dean, the frequent changing of socks and using dusting powder can help ward off this infection.
Jock Itch
Due to the occlusion of tight clothing and sweating, athletes can get develop a fungal infection in the groin area, characterised by circular itchy patches. Also, the infection from the feet or toes can spread to the groin. To prevent this skin infection, athletes need to wear loose airy clothes, bathe frequently and keep the area dry. Also, the use of antifungal dusting powder can help get rid of this infection.
Corns Or Calluses
The wrong footwear and prolonged walking can predispose athletes to corns that can be very painful and hamper activity and performance. Wearing good quality shoes and socks and moisturising the feet well can help prevent corns or calluses.
Molluscum Contagiosum
This is a viral skin infection that causes firm and painless bumps on the skin and spreads easily as it is highly contagious. One can contract this infection by touching the lesions on the skin of an infected person. However, this condition is sell-treatable and does not last for long.
Fungal Infections
A fungal infection of the feet is caused by a microscopic fungus called Trichophyton rubrum and this infection is more common during the monsoon and summer season when the feet remains moist or due to perspiration that creates a rich environment for the fungus to grow and thrive.
Tips To Ward Off Infections
- Wear footwear that allows your feet to breathe and avoid walking barefoot.
- Keep your feet dry and don’t wear sweaty shoes.
- Refrain from walking barefoot in the playing grounds and don’t keep your feet moist or sweaty.
- Avoid sharing sock and shoes.
- Opt for open footwear like flip-flops or crocs so that it allows proper circulation of air and helps keep your feet dry.
- Keep your feet dry by thoroughly cleansing it after bathing or swimming.
- Sprinkle antifungal powders containing clotrimazole and ketoconazole on a regular basis on your feet.