Health Risks of Wearing Dirty Clothes

Are you planning to wear the same gym clothes as yesterday? You might want to reconsider. If you start wearing the same, unwashed clothes for days or weeks at a time, it can put a damper on your health.

Here are three reasons why you should leave dirty clothes in the hamper and not on your body.

1. You could get a urinary tract infection (UTI)

Ladies and gentlemen, flipping your underwear inside out in an attempt to use the “cleaner” side makes no difference. Germs are already inhibiting your skin and clothes, and if you avoid washing up and changing your delicate undergarment, you can suffer from a UTI. Although women are at higher risk of developing UTIs than men, it does happen both ways. You may experience red, itchy, and painful sensations down there until the infection clears.

Generally, poor hygiene can lead to UTIs. Thus, it is crucial to make a few lifestyle changes to lower your risk of this painful infection. Aside from changing your garments on a daily basis and after sweating at the gym, remember to hydrate your body before, during, and after a workout. You should also eat more lean proteins rather than carbohydrates to decrease the occurrence of bacterial infections.

2. You could suffer from breakouts

You may experience acne on your neck, arms, back, and groin area if you frequently reuse dirty gym clothes. For women, leggings are one of the most comfortable clothing items to wear, but wearing the same sweaty leggings day after day can result in unwanted skin acne.

Because of the lack of airflow in tight clothing, along with the germs and bacteria taking residence, the buildup of sweat, oil, and bacteria can cause tiny bumps, pimples, and even cystic acne depending on how sensitive your skin is.

3. You could get a yeast infection

Dirty workout clothes and repeatedly worn outfits create the perfectly moist and tight breeding ground for germs. Since persistent bacteria thrive on clothing until washed, it can cause women to develop yeast infections, says board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Peyman Banooni.

A vaginal yeast infection, also known as candidiasis, occurs when the balance of bacteria and yeast is disrupted, allowing the yeast cells to multiply. This causes intense itching, swelling, and irritation. To avoid any discomfort brought by a yeast infection, make sure to wear cotton clothing for workouts since the fabric is more breathable. Workout clothes made from synthetic materials tend to harbor the worst of the bacteria, allowing them to multiply quickly. On the other hand, while cotton also retains bacteria, it tends to be mostly harmless. However, this is not an excuse to wear the same cotton shirt over and over.

As an additional tip, remember to bring an extra set of clothes to the gym. Make sure to change immediately after your workout, and if possible, showering will do wonders in helping you reduce the risk of infection.

While it’s not necessary to go overboard on washing your clothes every day, you do want to toss them in the wash after a long day of sweating. Though a little oil and sweat never hurt anyone, remember the real issue at hand, which is bacteria living on your skin.