Sweating is a normal function of the human body. It helps to regulate body temperature, particularly during exercise, physical activity and hot weather.
But when people sweat while exercising together, playing contact sports or living in crowded conditions, they may also have more frequent contact with other people’s skin, towels, clothing and shared surfaces. This can then create opportunities for certain infections to spread.
However, it is important to categorically say that sweat itself is not usually the main route through which these diseases are transmitted. The greater risk comes from close skin-to-skin contact, infected skin lesions or contaminated personal items and surfaces.
In this article, Tribune Online highlights five infections you can potentially contract through sweat-contaminated items.
Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal infection that can affect the skin, scalp and nails. The fungus responsible can spread through direct contact with an infected person’s skin or by touching contaminated objects such as towels, clothing and bedding.
Warm, moist conditions created by sweating can also provide a favourable environment for the fungi to grow. This is one reason ringworm can spread easily in places such as gyms, changing rooms and contact-sport facilities.
It commonly appears as an itchy, scaly rash that may form a ring-like pattern on the skin.
Scabies
Scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin. It is primarily transmitted through prolonged, direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Close physical contact therefore provides an opportunity for the mites to move from one person to another.
Scabies can also spread through clothing, towels and bedding used by someone with the infestation, although this is less common.
The condition typically causes intense itching, which often becomes worse at night. Small bumps or thin burrow-like marks may also appear on the skin.
Impetigo
Impetigo is a contagious bacterial infection of the skin. It is particularly common among children but can affect people of any age.
It often begins as small sores or blisters that rupture and develop yellowish or honey-coloured crusts.
The bacteria can spread through direct contact with infected skin . They can also be transferred through items that have come into contact with infected sores. People who have cuts, scratches or other breaks in their skin may have a greater opportunity for bacteria to enter.
Avoiding contact with infected sores and not sharing towels, clothing or other personal items can help reduce transmission.
MRSA skin infections
MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a type of bacteria that has developed resistance to several commonly used antibiotics. It can spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or by touching contaminated surfaces and personal items.
People involved in contact sports may face increased exposure because of frequent physical contact, shared equipment and the presence of minor cuts and abrasions. A MRSA skin infection may appear as a red, swollen, painful or warm area of skin and may contain pus.
Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection that produces small, raised bumps on the skin.
It spreads mainly through direct contact with an infected person’s lesions. The virus can also be transmitted through contaminated objects such as towels, clothing and some sports equipment.
Children are commonly affected, although adults can also contract the infection. The bumps are usually painless, but scratching or damaging them can spread the virus to other parts of the body and may introduce bacteria into the affected skin.