Are slippers mandatory in the sauna?
Can I go barefoot in the public sauna? Individuals who have already experienced troublesome as well as painful athlete’s foot illnesses understand the caution of individuals who do not go barefoot in either the swimming pool or the sauna. However, these individuals usually do not know that saunas are not an ideal breeding ground for athlete’s foot or other health problems for numerous reasons. Both sauna and swimming pool facilities offer good hygiene facilities, so that the annoying spore fungi depend only on the visitors who bring the troublemakers.
Bathing shoes and slippers
Bathing shoes effectively prevent foot as well as nail fungus infections. Walking barefoot through the sauna is disrespectful to other visitors. As a rule, sauna cabins have benches on which sauna-goers place their plastic or rubber slippers. These are located directly in front of the entrance to the cabin.
Which bench poses a higher risk of infection?
The lower benches are more likely to be breeding grounds for spores and fungi due to the lower heat. Whereas the upper benches act as an effective disinfectant thanks to the high heat. However, sauna visitors first spread out a cloth before claiming a seat. This way, other guests are not forced to sit in each other’s puddles of sweat.
Usually, the hand or sauna towels are large enough to place the feet on them. After taking a sauna, sauna visitors dry themselves with another towel. They practice this process before showering or going to a cold pool. Furthermore, they shower before using the sauna. In this way, sauna users wash unnecessary lint, fragrances, or care products from their skin.
What do the experts advise
Furthermore, experts advise going to the toilet before taking a sauna. In addition, health advisors recommend taking an extensive shower after a sauna visit and then pampering yourself with a comprehensive care program. Furthermore, sauna visitors dry themselves thoroughly after this ritual before slipping into their everyday clothes. Sauna-goers carefully dab dry the spaces between their toes with an extra towel. They also put on fresh socks after this procedure.
Adapt footwear to the season
In the warm summer season, of course, airy sandals are ideal foot companions. Thanks to them, wearers are almost barefoot and let their feet breathe. However, sauna-goers do not use their bathing shoes for this purpose, because this will cause them to accumulate dirt, which they will bring into the room during the next visit to the sauna.
Important for diabetics
Diabetics in particular pay attention to good body hygiene after a sauna visit. They are more susceptible to troublesome fungal infections due to their illness. Since they have a weakened immune system, the disease lasts much longer in them.
Those who fear that they have fallen ill with athlete’s foot or nail fungus should immediately consult a doctor. The doctor advises them in detail about the various treatment options and then prescribes a prescription cream or tincture. Accordingly, those affected take care to maintain good clothing hygiene. To really kill the fungus, they wash both their towels and socks at a minimum of 140 °F.
