Hitting the Gym? Watch out for these 7 high-risk infections

Sweaty benches or equipment in gyms pose a risk of contracting ringworms.

Ringworms

Ringworms thrive in warm and moist areas and appears on the skin as a round, itchy, rash.

Also known as Tinea pedis, this is a very common fungal infection. It occurs when your feet remain wet from sweat.

Athlete’s foot

It makes your skin all itchy, dry, and red, and sometimes even flaky. Avoid scratching your feet with your hands as it might transfer to your hands.

You may develop the infection if you sweat excessively or by using dirty equipment. This looks like red and itchy acne.

Folliculitis

It infects the hair follicles and roots on your neck, armpits, and thighs.

Human papillomavirus is another risk lurking in the gym. It causes warts and one can pick these viruses by walking barefoot inside the gym.

Warts

The risk of getting a contagious virus as the flu virus increases in a closed space like gym.

Influenza​

It causes swollen and painful red boils and is extremely contagious, spreading through sharing gym equipment, clothing, and towels.

Staph

Jock itch is a fungal skin infection that causes an itchy rash in warm, moist areas of the body such as the groin and inner thighs.

Jock itch