How Your Own Towel Could Be the Dirtiest Thing in Your Home

It is among the most common skin problems which can help you in many ways otherwise known as fungal infections that are all with ease of spreading. A rather interesting way these infections travel between people is thanks to towels. On the surface, towels might seem harmless but can carry fungal colonies and propagate infections. In this article you will find out how fungi transmits through towels, the danger caused by it, and example of standard hygiene solutions to keep you family safe.



Infections caused by Fungi are ringworm, athlete foot, and jock itch. In the bathroom, when one that has these infections dries off using a towel, and in precise fungal spores lodge theirselves to the fibers of the towel. That shared damp towel can ultimately pick up these spores and they have the potential to be transferred over to another persons skin clothes or worse. Fungi: Fungi is similar to mold but the type of fungi we are concerned with can be found in a warm, damp area when a towel gets wet.

Sharing of towels especially in places like gyms, pools or your locker room increases the chances of getting a fungal infection. It can also move the fungus to other parts of your body (eg. from toweling off our feet then groin with the same towel).



Who Is Most at Risk?

• Fungal infections from towels (patients with certain conditions)
• Individuals who use towels at home, in gyms or dormitories.
• People with a weak immune system, diabetes or intact skin conditions.
• Public shower users, Athletes.

Fungal infections show up in different ways. You might see:

• Red, itchy, scaly patches on your skin.
• Circular “rings” also called ringworm.
• Peeling or cracking skin, especially between toes.
• Thickened or discolored nails.

So if you see any of these signs take action immediately.

Basic Cleaning Areas to Stop the Spread

There is nothing to worry about if you follow a few elementary principles of hygiene: —

• Never share towels or washcloths. A towel should never ever be shared in your home.
• Wash towels in warm not hot water 60°C (140°F) to kill what you can.
• Completely empty trays and dry towels before using again
• Avoid using damp towels.
• NOTE:- DO NOT USE THE SAME TOWEL ON ANY OTHER PART, THIS WILL SPREAD THE INFECTION.
• After touching the infected skin wash your hands well.
• Clip your nails short and keep them well cleaned to provide less real estate for the organisms to hide.
• Clean public restrooms frequently and tidy up by fixing towels, etc.
• Take care in gymnasiums or pools, and carry your own towel and wear footwear

Remember, if you are infected please start your treatment immediately in initial stages. For more mild cases, using a cream, powder or spray over-the-counter may be successful. Keep using the medication for the full time prescribed, even if your symptoms quickly improve. If not, use one more towel for influenced areas as well as wash it often.

However, if you do not seem to be improving and spreading, or reacting it back up with weakened immunity (due to the treatment of prostate cancer), then see the doctor. One Some infections need treatment with prescription medications, or for people with a medical condition like diabetes or weakened immune system, a medical course of action.

• Just because a towel looks clean doesn’t mean it is. Fungal spores are invisible.
• Pets can carry fungi like ringworm. Avoid sharing towels with your animals if they have skin problems.
• There are people who can have fungus on their skin and they will not feel anything, but will continue to disseminate.
• Spores, created through fungal reproduction, can be found in bed linens which is why you should frequently wash bedding and pillow cases when someone has a fungal infection.

Once a wash towel, If you prefer to use less detergent and fabric softener, then wash the towel once in 60°C hot water, which usually is enough according to research. Use a strong detergent and either dry towels in the sunlight or on high heat in a dryer, ensuring all fungus is eradicated.

Use hot water of at least 60º to wash towels, because fungi can still proliferate in any temperature below that. Machines with good agitation remove spores better than hand washing.

Fungal infections are easily spread by using towels of other persons, but with hygiene this is to prevent. It boils down to just a few common-sense principles: avoid shared towels, launder them in hot water and frequently, dry them thoroughly, treat infections promptly. In doing this, you keep from getting a fungal infection and hopefully retain your self-respect away from the embarrassing itchy problem of having an infection.

Daily care is about taking small steps to maintain the health of your skin and protect your towels. By keeping yourself clean and dry, and by being cautious, you will effectively shut down any potential fungal invasions.

1. How long does fungus survive on fabric ?
   
   The spores of fungal require a year to endure: 12 months for some five and 20 months for others, (in other words) it is important that items used or worn by an infectious person/man or animal should be cleaned. Objects such as bedding, couch cushions, clothing and fabrics can contain dust mites.
2. What kills fungus completely
   
   Ketoconazole stops the fungus that causes your dandruff, which means that you are less likely to have dandruff again. Head and Shoulders uses a different antifungal agent in selenium sulfide, while other shampoos., though the good news is there are over-the-counter options that will work for you.
3. How to know if ringworm is healing?
   
   The skin texture gets normal, itching decreases, and with the onset of dark patches that have ring like appearance on the edges are a clear sign of fading of ringworm.