Participating in school or other athletic activities leaves you open to contracting skin and nail diseases and infections. These problems can be minimized by using mostly common sense ideas to avoid the spread of contaminants in the athletic environment. Sharing spaces with other sweaty, dirty people will increase the prevalence of bacteria and other microbes that can cause a wide variety of skin problems, including warts and cold sores.

Here are some excellent ways to prevent contamination of your skin during athletic activities:

• Wash your hands several times a day.
• Clean all wounds and abrasions to avoid infections.
• Any unusual rashes or lesions should be properly evaluated by your dermatologist.
• Always wear shower shoes or at least sandals in public showers and swimming areas.
• Never share any personal care products with others. That includes shampoo, soaps, and nail clippers.
• Use a clean towel and never share it with anyone else. Don’t share athletic clothes or footwear.
• Keep your gear and workout equipment clean. A rigorous, facility-wide decontamination process is sometimes needed to avoid spreading of bacterial, viral, and fungal illnesses.

It’s not unusual to experience abrasions, cuts, and blisters while participating in sports. But these and other types of skin injuries can allow microbes into your body that can wreak havoc and cause rashes and bacterial incursions as well as fungal foot and nail infections.

Abnormal skin lesions may even be a sign of skin cancer, so always seek the assistance of your dermatologist for the proper diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Juan Vaillant of Old Bridge Dermatology has been treating patients for hair, skin, and nail problems for over 30 years, and has the extensive background needed to help address a variety of dermatological issues. Dr. Vaillant has successfully treated acne, eczema, dandruff, hair loss, psoriasis, and nail fungus. If you are looking for an amiable, highly skilled dermatologist, call our office in Old Bridge, NJ at (732) 679-0222and make an appointment.