Does the thought of school locker rooms make you quiver? If you have ever experienced having to use a locker in your school gym you would know how unhygienic it can be. It is especially true when paired with sweaty teenagers in close-quarter wearing, sometimes, days-old gym clothes and walking around with their bare feet. On top of that locker rooms are a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and sometimes even fungus. If you are a parent, ask your child if they are practicing good hygiene in their school locker room. In this article, we will provide some tips for both students and parents on the do’s and don’t in proper school locker room hygiene.
Gym Clothes
If you are a student do you change from your regular school uniform to your PE attire? When was the last time you brought your gym clothes home for washing? Perhaps your school has a laundry service, but for most, they would not have one. Going back, I remember mingling with other kids who smelled like body odor and is quite frankly oblivious to it.
Even if you claim no to sweat too much during PE, it is best to make sure that the outfit you use is washed at least once or twice a week. Undergarments should be changed daily after physical activities as this may cause fungal infection commonly known as “jock itch” if ignored. A towel is another item that you should also consider washing frequently.
Hygiene Items
Make sure not to share personal toiletry with other students.
- Hairbrushes should never be shared either. Using someone else’s brush or comb is an easy way to pick up head lice.
- Razors are particularly important to never share because they can transmit blood-borne illnesses, like HIV and hepatitis. Razors can also harbor bacteria from the skin that can easily spread to others.
- It is also best never to share bar soap or deodorant because they can allow bacteria to be passed from one person to another. Liquid soap is best to use in a bottle if you would want to share your body wash.
Shower Shoes
Make sure to have a pair of rubber/plastic shower shoes to wear to protect your feet. Locker rooms floors are notorious places to pick up the fungal infection commonly known as athletes’ foot.
It is also possible to pick up plantar warts, which are caused by the HPV virus, from walking around barefoot. Teach your child not to walk barefoot on the locker room floor or in the shower.
Wounds
If you are an athletic student, you may often get cuts and scrapes from your sports play. Diving for the ball and getting scratches on your knees and elbows.
Remember to wash your cuts and scrapes with soap and water. It is a good idea to keep an antibacterial ointment, like Neosporin, and a variety package of large and small bandages in your backpack.
All wounds should be covered during play to protect them both from getting infected and from transmitting body fluid to others.
Showering
After strenuous physical activity, it is important to shower, not just for the sake of smelling good. Perspiration left on the skin can become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus, which can lead to rashes.
Bacteria and dirt left on the skin can easily get into small cuts to cause infection as well. So make sure to never skip the shower.
Reusable Equipment
Since equipment at the gym is reusable, it can lead to various issues such as ringworm, staph infection, and other fungal infections. The school should be wiping down reusable equipment per protocol in between uses.
Wash Hands
Finally, remember to always wash your hands before leaving the locker room. It should be no different than leaving the bathroom because the same types of germs are present.
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