If you don't wipe your sweaty body... 'this bacteria' could spread all over your body

Summer is a season when skin diseases are more likely to occur. One of the reasons is the hot and humid weather, which causes excessive sweating. A relatively common condition is tinea corporis. Let's learn more about tinea corporis.

During the summer, uneven patches may appear on areas where the skin overlaps or where sweat easily flows. This is a condition called tinea versicolor, caused by a yeast fungus called Malassezia. Tinea versicolor is a disease that occurs when Malassezia overgrows in the stratum corneum of the skin. Malassezia resides in the hair follicles of most people, but it can be easily removed with washing or showering along with skin keratin. However, if you sweat heavily during the summer and do not remove it properly, the growth of fungi can accelerate, leading to the development of tinea versicolor. Therefore, it commonly occurs in adolescents and young adults who are very active and sweat profusely.

Ringworm mainly occurs on the ▲chest, ▲back, ▲armpits, and ▲neck, and rarely on the face. If white or pinkish spots of unknown cause appear, ringworm should be suspected. In the early stages, there is no pain, so the need for treatment may not be felt strongly. However, over time, the spots become more noticeable, and the affected area can expand to cover the entire torso, making early treatment important. The ringworm fungus can also be transmitted through skin contact. Using towels or clothes contaminated with the fungus at gyms or bathhouses increases the risk of transmission.

When tinea corporis occurs, it is usually treated by applying antifungal agents to the lesion and surrounding area. Since tinea corporis has a high recurrence rate due to environmental factors, maintaining good daily habits is important. Especially during summer and rainy seasons, it is necessary to keep the body dry and cool. When exercising, it is also recommended to wear well-ventilated clothing and to keep the body as dry as possible after showering. Additionally, clothes soaked with sweat should be changed frequently to prevent continuous contact with the skin.