A woman from Maryland, US, learned the hard way why hygiene at the gym is a non-negotiable. After failing to clean gym equipment before use, she developed a severe case of ringworm — a contagious fungal infection that thrives in warm, sweaty environments.
It all started with an itchy arm.
Jamie Samnang, 41, a beauty and makeup artist, was used to working out regularly. But one day, after returning home from the gym, she noticed a rash on her arm. Assuming it was a mosquito bite, she applied some cream and went about her day.
However, things quickly took a turn for the worse. The itching became unbearable, and red, pus-filled spots began to spread across her body.
A shocking diagnosis
Regarding, Sumning went to a dermatologist, who diagnosed her with ringworm. She was horrified to learn that the gym is a prime breeding ground for fungal infections.
"I was scratching my arms and then touching my legs," she told the Daily Mail, realizing she had unknowingly spread the infection further.
How did she get infected?
Samnang recalled placing her bare arm on gym equipment without first cleaning it. That simple mistake exposed her to the fungus. Worse, by scratching the rash and touching other parts of her body, she unknowingly spread the infection further.
A difficult recovery process
Treating the infection was no easy task. Samnang was prescribed an antifungal cream, which she had to apply three times a day for three weeks. She also had to take extreme hygiene measures, including:
Bleaching and disinfecting her home
Changing all bed linens
Avoiding close contact with her husband to prevent the infection from spreading.
The infection was so severe that she had to take time off work. “I couldn’t go to work. It was really, really bad,” she admitted.
After her ordeal, Samnang now follows strict hygiene practices at the gym. She always wears long sleeves and makes sure every piece of equipment is cleaned before use.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal/MSM)