But the question is, how clean are the swimming pools?
Summer is everyone’s favorite season to enjoy some ice cream and wear flip-flops to show off those good-looking toes. Others are heading to their favorite beach or the nearest local swimming pool to take a dip.
Studies show that swimming pools can carry fungal or bacterial infections since a lot of people visit pools. Foot fungus and bacterial infections are microorganisms that are most widespread type of contagious disease found around swimming pools. Fungal filaments can also be found growing on the floors of locker rooms and public showers and in whirlpools.
Here’s how you can acquire foot fungus:
When you walk around the pool, and you get some minor skin abrasions on the floor, the fungal spores, as well as live fungal filaments that flourish in moisture, get trapped to your skin area. Then you get athlete’s foot, and the skin infections propagate. When you injure your toenail, you will become exposed more, especially as someone who works most of the time in the water, because these microorganisms need a warm, moist environment to flourish. As the fungus develops within the toenails itself, the toenail becomes thicker, yellow, and rough. And that’s how you get toenail fungus infections.
What safety measures should I take when swimming?
Before you decide to dive in, give your feet a quick look. If you identify any kind of cracks, cuts, blisters, or even other wounds, stay out of the water. Pools, lakes, rivers, as well as oceans can have potentially dangerous microorganisms that can result in a foot infection if introduced to an open wound. As a result, you have to practice hygienic approaches when using swimming pools, or public showers or locker rooms to prevent contact with potentially deadly bacteria. Putting on a swim cap, taking a shower and washing your own feet with disinfectant are essential steps to take on before getting into the pool during summertime. Don’t go barefoot around the swimming pool. Wear flip flops to/from the swimming pool. Stand on your flip flops and never on the floors when you shower or change clothes. Dry your feet carefully (between the toes) quickly after you are done.
Only a podiatrist can cure foot fungus
Remember, toenail fungus is really hard to treat on your own. So you can cure it with laser treatment, but that is somewhat expensive and time-consuming. You have to be really cautious when you’re swimming in the summer months to make sure that you do not acquire any of that fungus.