Fungal infections can be cumbersome, embarrassing and outright uncomfortable – among other things. So, if you routinely find yourself contending with them, there’s a good chance that certain behaviors on your end are serving as the impetus for infection. Unbeknownst to many people who suffer from fungal infections, there are a variety of everyday behaviors that are highly conducive to developing them. As such, anyone who regularly practices the following habits would be wise to amend their behavior accordingly.
You’re Bathing Irregularly
Bathing on a daily basis carries a number of advantages, both physical and psychological. In addition to helping you smell fresh and ensuring that your skin is properly exfoliated, giving yourself a good scrub each day can prove conducive to avoiding fungal infections. Since fungal infections are often synonymous with sweat and bacteria buildup, it stands to reason that you’d want to limit their presence on your skin – and there’s no better way to do this than committing to a daily bath or shower.
Daily bathing is particularly important for people who are physically active. Athletes, for example, should make a point of bathing after every workout. The longer you allow large amounts of sweat to remain on your body, the more likely you are to wind up with a fungal infection. So, upon the completion of a workout, shed your sweat-soaked clothes and proceed to bathe at your earliest possible convenience.
When bathing, make sure to pay special attention to the parts of your body where fungal infections are most likely to form, such as your feet and groin. Additionally, once you’ve finished your bath or shower, make sure to dry yourself off as thoroughly as possible, again paying special attention to fungus-prone areas.
You’re Wearing Dirty Clothes
Wearing unwashed clothing can facilitate fungal infections and staph infections and leave you smelling awful. So, no matter how cumbersome you find doing laundry to be, never re-wear clothing that hasn’t been properly washed. Not only is this generally considered uncouth, it’s far from beneficial to your health. For these same reasons, it’s also advised that you abstain from sharing clothing with others, regardless of how close you are with them.
As touched upon above, sweat-soaked clothing is a major contributor to fungal infections. So, whether you’ve just finished up a workout or are simply contending with high temperatures, avoid leaving sweaty clothing on for long periods. Even if you’re not in a position to take an immediate shower after exercising, you should at least change into fresh clothes. You should consider investing in workout clothes designed with antimicrobial zinc ion technology.
You’re Not Alternating Footwear
Clothing isn’t the only thing you’ll need to change on a consistent basis to stave off fungal infections. Alternating footwear can be an effective way to keep athlete’s foot at bay, so if you currently only own one pair of shoes, this needs to change – especially if you do a fair amount of walking and/or running. Having several pairs of shoes ensures that each pair will have sufficient time to air out before being re-worn. Needless to say, this is particularly important in the case of workout shoes, which are often brimming with sweat.
You’re Aren’t Properly Treating Existing Infections
Fungal infections typically don’t go away on their own. Furthermore, the longer you allow them to linger, the more serious they’re likely to become. Luckily, a plethora of affordable over-the-counter antifungal medications can be found at virtually any store that sells medicine. Antifungal creams, ointments, sprays and powders can prove tremendously helpful in stamping out common infections. If you’re unclear on which option is right for you, consult a pharmacist or your physician before making a decision. Furthermore, should you find that OTC medications simply aren’t cutting it, schedule an appointment with your doctor and/or a knowledgeable dermatologist.
Fungal infections can be a tremendous source of irritation and discomfort. As such, if you’ve found yourself contracting them on a consistent basis, you’d be wise to take a close look at your daily habits. Without even realizing it, many of us engage in everyday behaviors that are highly conducive to the formation of jock itch, athlete’s foot and other commonplace fungal infections. So, if any of the habits discussed above apply to you, take care to alter your behavior accordingly.
About The Author
Michelle Joe
Michelle Joe is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences, and express herself through her blogs. You can find her on twitter
