5 pretty vile ways your yoga gear is bad for your health
[Photo: Pexels/Roman Davayposmotrim]
Yoga gear was originally designed for, well, doing yoga in. But the surge in popularity for the stretchy sportswear has seen many a fine lady throw on this comfortable clothing to go out to brunch or just mooch about in. It’s like loungewear but classy, otherwise known as: athleisure.
The trouble is, your sweet threads, while feeling great and making you look like a goddess could be doing you more harm than good. And if your keeping your yoga gear on after you’ve worked out, even worse.
MizzFit.com founder Bianca Jade says after working out you should imagine your body as a gym; sweaty covered in bacteria and in need of a good scrub otherwise you’re simply “sitting in a pool of your own toxins.”
Turns out there are some pretty gross consequences for wearing clothing that doesn’t allow your skin to breathe.
1. Yeast infections
Wearing tight moist synthetic fibres for too long creates the perfect breeding ground for yeast infections. Get those sweaty workout clothes off as soon as you can!
2. Fungal Groin Infection (Tinea Cruris)
Tinea Cruris is a fungal groin infection that usually affects men but can affect women too. It causes the skin to become itchy and irritable mainly in the crease around the top of the leg and the genitals. According to NetDoctor: “The fungi love warm, moist places, and they are often a problem for people with active lifestyles, or those who do not look after their personal hygiene carefully enough.”
3. Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a condition that causes the hair follicle to become inflamed usually caused by bacteria and fungal infection resulting from tight clothing and chafing. It’s often found on the upper back due to sports bras. Ladies with a penchant for spinning may find it on the buttocks due to the high friction of the activity.
4. Intertrigo
Intertrigo is a rash that appears between the folds of the skin affecting the armpits, under boobs, genital area and abdomen. The combination of friction in skin folds and moist sportswear creates the perfect environment for this common rash to thrive.
5. Second hand sweat and bacteria
As disgusting as it sounds. You sweat in yoga class or at the gym, right? And so does everyone else. All that sweat and bacteria you come into contact with on gym equipment and yoga mats can contribute to some of the mentioned nasties.
But fear not, there are a few simple measures you can take to avoid turning yourself into a walking zoo for bacteria and fungi. Opt for good quality moisture wicking workout wear. Shower as soon as you can after a workout and change into loose clothing that allows your skin to breathe. Clean your yoga mat regularly. Most of all, avoid spending all day in tight fitting gym clothes!
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