“Sports + Skin = Sweat, Acne, Fungal Infections – What to Watch”

“Sports + Skin = Sweat, Acne, Fungal Infections – What to Watch”

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Playing sports is great for health, fitness, and confidence. But let’s be honest — it’s not always friendly to your skin.

Whether your child is into cricket, football, kabaddi, badminton or school PT periods — their skin faces heat, sweat, dust, and tight clothes on a daily basis.

And this mix can lead to:

➡️ Sweat pimples

➡️ Fungal infections

➡️ Skin rashes

➡️ Tanning and sunburn

Let’s break it down and talk about what to do — and what to avoid.

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🥵 1. Sweat + Dust = Breakouts

During outdoor games, the sweat mixes with dirt and blocks pores. This is a very common reason for forehead, back, and neck pimples in teenagers.

What helps:

✅ Washing face after sports (but not with harsh soaps)

✅ Carrying a soft towel to gently pat sweat

✅ Avoiding oily creams or fairness products before games

✅ Keeping hair away from forehead with a headband or tied back

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🦠 2. Fungal Infections (Daad)

Wet sports clothes, synthetic jerseys, and sitting in sweaty clothes for too long?

Perfect setup for ringworm (Daad), especially in inner thighs, underarms, and waistline.

What helps:

✅ Change into dry clothes immediately after sports

✅ Avoid sharing towels or uniforms

✅ Use anti-fungal powder if prone to sweat

✅ Dry sports shoes/socks properly — don’t reuse without drying

⚠️ Important: Never use OTC “quik-fix” creams with steroids (like “4-in-1” creams) — they make infections worse in the long run.

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😓 3. Heat Rashes and Itching

Many teens complain of red bumps or itching on the chest, back, and arms after intense games.

This can be due to blocked sweat ducts, tight clothing, or heat rash.

What helps:

✅ Wearing loose, breathable cotton clothes under the jersey

✅ Taking a bath with cool water after play

✅ Using calamine lotion or doctor-advised soothing gels

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☀️ 4. Tanning and Sun Damage

Games under strong sun without sunscreen? You’ll often see tanned arms, pigmented forehead, and dry skin.

What helps:

✅ Apply a lightweight, sweat-resistant sunscreen 20 mins before play

✅ Reapply if playing for over 1.5 hours

✅ Hydrate well — inside and out

✅ Use a mild exfoliating face wash 2–3 times a week (not daily)

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🧴 5. Basic Kit for Sports-Active Teens:

• Mild foaming face wash

• Anti-fungal powder (clotrimazole or as per doctor’s advice)

• Sunscreen (gel-based or matte finish)

• Clean towel

• Spare cotton T-shirt

• Water bottle

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👨‍⚕️ When Should You Visit the Skin Clinic?

✔ If pimples keep coming back despite care

✔ If there’s itching, redness, or patches that are spreading

✔ If there are marks or skin darkening that’s not fading

✔ If sweat rash turns into pus-filled bumps or boils

✔ If the skin becomes dry, flaky or unusually sensitive

We at Dr. Rizwan’s Skin Cosmetic and Laser Clinic help athletes, sportspersons, and school children manage skin issues with simple, effective and safe solutions.

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🏁 Final Tip:

Sports is great – don’t let skin issues slow you down.

With just a few habits and the right advice, your skin can stay healthy — even when the game gets sweaty.

📍For more help, visit our clinic in Shahjahanpur or book an appointment.

💬 Got a sporty kid at home? Share your questions below – we’re here to help!