Some More Reasons You Need to Wash Your Hands After Gym Workout
Skin infections such as MRSA and other conditions can easily spread in the gym and locker room. You probably already know how to wash the dishes after going to the gym, but pay special attention to hand washing. It’s not fun to give up on something that can be avoided in the pursuit of health.
Who knows what a dude left behind who ended up using your treadmill or favorite bench without wiping it down. Skin conditions are extremely common among athletes, according to a 2010 position statement released by the National Athletic Coach Association . Some of the most common skin infections, including athlete’s foot, herpes simplex , impetigo, and the more serious MRSA , a certain strain of hard-to-treat staphylococcus bacteria, are common in gyms.
Minimize your chances of bringing something home by washing your hands with soap and water after exercise. If you then shower in the changing room, use your own soap and towels as well.
A splash or two of hand sanitizer won’t cut it either (but if there really isn’t any other way out, make sure it’s at least 60% alcohol). Also, avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most gyms also have some sort of disinfectant spray that can help slow the spread of germs, but onestudy published in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine suggests they aren’t always effective. This may calm you down a bit, but it doesn’t relieve you of having to wash or wash your clothes properly afterward.
But that doesn’t mean you need to work out in a bubble or avoid the gym altogether. It’s just a PSA friendly to be aware of and wash your hands after using the gym before heading out to your post workout meal. It’s just good hygiene.
National Athletic Coach Association Position Statement: Skin Diseases | National Athletic Coaches Association via The Nation’s Health