LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Fitness at the Beach: Keeping Up Appearances |
by Rick Moore |
Just the other day, I was at the beach with Dave and some friends, and we were discussing the topic of this weeks column. Tom mentioned that I should write a column about all the deodorants on the market. It sounded like a great idea at the time (given some of the people Ive met recently) and I just may write about that later on. But for now, Im going to play "Miss Manners" and give some helpful insights and advice on niggling problems that may plague youor those around you. We are all concerned about our appearance, but believe it or not, other people will notice things about you that you are not aware of. Lets talk about some nasty little personal hygiene subjects that people do not usually talk about. I hope I wont offend anyone. Even I have suffered from some of these problems myself, and Im not embarrassed to tell you. Dandruff Itchy and Scratchy arent just cartoon characters on The Simpsons. Theyre also symptoms of an annoying and persistent skin disorder of the scalp. Nearly everyone has dandruff to some degree. It can be caused by a tiny fungus called Pityrosporum ovale, P. ovale for short. This fungus lives on our bodies and scalp all the time (now be a good host) usually without causing a problem. But unfortunately for some people, it can increase in numbers, leading to dandruff. Environmental factors such as perspiration, climate, diet, stress, hormonal activity, or even genetics may aggravate the problem. Dandruff is often known as "dry scalp", but people with oily scalps tend to suffer most, because an oily scalp supports the growth of P. ovale. How do we cure the bloom of little fungi? Other than washing your hair more frequently, there is really no way to control dandruff without treatment. The good news is that the FDA says over-the-counter dandruff shampoos work fine for most people, and theyre easy to find in your local drug stores and supermarkets. If your dandruff is really bad, you can get a prescription shampoo. Jock Itch Since were having fun with fungi, heres another disease caused by fungi. You can identify jock itch (tinea cruris) because its a scaly rash in the groin area. Oh my, how graphic! Ever wonder how the term "jock itch" came about? It gets its name because an athletic supporter worn during a workout, and then stored unwashed in a dark, poorly ventilated locker, provides the ideal environment for fungi to thrive. When its worn again, it passes the fungi to the groin area. Jock itch primarily affects males 18-40 years of age, but women are not immune from it. It can occur by transfer from athletes foot, or contact with clothing, bedding and towels from infected individuals. Obese individuals are at greater risk, as are those who wear tight fitting clothing. Heres a hint: wash your spandex every time you wear it. I do. You can cure jock itch with over-the-counter or prescription creams. Wear clean cotton underwear, along with cool, loose-fitting shorts or pants. Keep your groin area as dry and perspiration-free as possible. Athletes Foot Also known as tinea pedis, it is a common fungal infection most prevalent among teenage and adult males. Men comprise 70% of sufferers. It is contagious and, if you dont treat it, athletes foot can affect the area between your toes, the soles of your feet and even spread to toenails, invading and ultimately destroying them. Wow, what a real gross-out. It can readily spread to other parts of your body and can result in jock itch, too. I remember almost everybody in junior high and high school having athletes foot, because all of us took gym and walked around barefoot on the locker room floor. I had to use medicated powder, wash and thoroughly dry my feet, and change my white socks twice a day. Nowadays, we have sprays and creams. No more flaming feet. But bewaretheres a fungus among us. Acne Its most common on the face, but can also occur on the back, chest, shoulders and neck, too. Who here has not had pimples in their lifetime? Despite what we were all told when growing up, the good news is that acne is not caused by eating spicy foods, pizza, french fries, chocolate, or colas. So following a strict diet will not by itself clear your skin. Acnes not caused by dirt, either. Research has revealed that oily sebum stimulates hair follicle cells to shed more rapidly and stick together, plugging the openings in the skin. Bacteria then produce chemicals that cause the wall of the follicle to break. Many non-prescription acne lotions and creams can help milder cases of acne. However, many of them will make your skin dry if used too often. Be sure to follow the instructions. But the biggest secret for clear skin that Ive heard is that drinking lots of water daily helps keep the skin clear and hydrated. Why not give it a try. It certainly wont hurt. So there you have it fellow beach goers. This is not cocktail conversation, but somebody had to do it. Maybe youve learned something, because I sure did. We all need to keep up our appearances. See you at the Beach! Rick Moore is a personal trainer certified by the American Fitness Professionals & Associates. He believes in common-sense, drug-free training. Visit him at Ricks Fitness & Health, Inc., in beautiful downtown Milton. Check out his website at http://www.enrapt.com/ricksfitness, or give him a call at (302) 684-3669. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 8, No. 7, June 19, 1998. |