THE ESSENTIAL
- Ringworm, which is caused by colonization of the scalp by a dermatophyte, manifests itself by areas of alopecia in the form of large, poorly defined plaques 1 to 3 cm in diameter.
- In the United States, a young woman contracted this infection after working out in a gym.
- According to the American Academy of Dermatology, viruses, bacteria and fungi thrive in warm, humid places, like locker room equipment and showers.
As usual, Hillary Nguyen went to the gym a few months ago to do her exercises. When she arrived home, she noticed that she had a circular bald area on the front of her head, according to the media. Daily Dot. Terrified, the sportswoman immediately consulted a doctor. “The practitioner did a black light test on me and discovered it was ringworm and it literally made me go bald,” she said in a video posted on social media and viewed 491,300 times before being removed from the platforms.
She contracts scalp fungus at the gym
As a reminder, ringworm or mycoses of the scalp are due to colonization of the scalp by a dermatophyte, most often transmitted between humans. According to Health Insurance, they most often manifest as areas of alopecia in the form of large poorly defined patches of 1 to 3 cm in diameter, with the presence of broken hairs a few millimeters from the skin. Sometimes ringworm lesions are small, crusty, and scattered across the scalp.
“The doctor asked me if I went to the gym and I told him that I went there almost every day, which probably explains how I got infected,” the young woman clarified. Indeed, it is possible, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). On its website, it indicates that if people who go to gyms do not take certain precautions, they risk contracting various common skin infections, such as ringworm, plantar warts or impetigo, the pathogens of which develop in hot and humid places, such as locker room equipment and showers.
-Ringworm: how to avoid contracting it during these workouts?
After benefiting from antifungal treatments for three months, an improvement was observed on Hillary Nguyen’s scalp, who learned a good lesson from this incident. “If you are not disinfecting every piece of equipment before using it, you should start doing so,” she recommended. For their part, American dermatologists recommend wearing loose clothing, which wicks away moisture, keeps the skin dry and prevents the proliferation of germs during sports sessions. You should also always wear shoes, especially in showers and changing rooms. Other tips: keep cuts clean and covered and wash your hands immediately after training.
“Without treatment, skin infections can get worse. Monitor your skin and if you notice signs of infection, such as increased pain or swelling, pus, or persistent redness, make an appointment with a dermatologist. “
