Treatment And Prevention Of Skin Infections In Wrestlers
Treatment and Prevention of Skin Infections in Wrestlers
Tamara Spann, ATC
Hughston Athletic Training Fellowship
The sport of wrestling is very tactile. With every move and every throw comes the
risk of obtaining skin infections. The danger of skin infections is a growing concern
among wrestlers, parents, coaches, and officials. Prevention and early diagnosis is
very important.
One of the most important things to remember is proper hygiene. Athletes are
encouraged to shower immediately after wrestling practice or competition. When
showering, it is important to use a mesh scrub with antibacterial soap. This aids in
removing any unwanted bacteria and infections the athlete might have picked up
during skin to skin contact1. Another important prevention technique is to
thoroughly clean and disinfect all wrestling mats as well as equipment, including
all uniforms and towels 1, after every use. Athletes should also be discouraged
from sharing such items as unwashed towels and uniforms even shoes and
headgear. Following proper hygiene practices and thorough disinfection
techniques can greatly decrease the risk of obtaining skin infections among
wrestlers.
When prevention is not enough it is important to get treatment of skin infections
at the first sign of the infection. The key to this is to know what to look for. Some
common types of skin infections found in wrestling include ring worm, herpes
simplex, staphylococcus infection (staph infection), and impetigo.
The most common infection found in wrestling is Tinea Corporis, also know as ring
worm. Tinea Corporis is actually a fungal infection and not a worm, as the name
implies. This skin infection appears red and scaly in a ring formation with a clear
center. Ring worm is highly contagious and can develop in many different areas of
the body including the feet (Athletes foot), the groin (jock itch), face or trunk (ring
worm), the scalp, and in the nail beds2. The lesions may or may not itch. If ring
worm is suspected it is very important to begin treatment immediately.
Treatments include topical antifungal creams or oral antifungal medication.
Treatment should be applied twice daily for 1-4 weeks. Athletes may return to
competition after 3 days of topical treatment use2. Herpes simplex is another
common infection and, just as ring worm, is an extremely contagious virus.
Herpes is a viral infection and often appears as a fever blister, genital herpes, or
herpes gladiatorum, which can be found on the face or the trunk of the body2. It
enters the body through a break in the skin such ad a cut or mat burn. Herpes
present itself as a fluid filled blister on top of red skin. Once the blister breaks
open it appears with a crusty painful scab2, 3. There is no cure for the herpes virus
but treatments include Valtrex and prophylactic medications. Wrestling guidelines
state that wrestlers may not participate in practice or competition until they are
asymptomatic, without a new blister for 3 days, or if the athlete has taken
medication for at least 5 days2, 3.
A growing infection that has been spreading through out high school and college
locker rooms more recently is staphylococcus infection or staph infection4. A
recent problem that doctors have found with staph is that some strands have
become resistant to antibiotic treatment; this is known as Methicillian Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)2, 4, 5. What was once confined to hospitals is now
creeping into high school and college locker rooms around the country. Staph
infection is most commonly spread though skin to skin contact but can also be
transmitted through sports equipment, work out areas, and unwashed towels and
uniforms2, 4. It first appears as a pimple or ant bite. The wound site will quickly
grow to a painful boil that if not cared for will eventually bust open producing a
bloody puss like substance that is highly contagious2. Staph is very serious and if
not treated in the early stages may require hospitalization4. It is vital that weight
rooms, wrestling rooms, and athletic training rooms be thoroughly sanitized if
there is any suspicion of staph infection to prevent further spread2, 5. Athletes can
not be permitted to engage in activity until they have been declared infection free
by a doctor2.
Impetigo is yet another common infection found in wrestlers. It is a highly
contagious bacterial infection obtained through broken skin such as cuts and
scraps. There are two types of impetigo; bullous and nonbullous2. Bullous
impetigo appears as damp red skin that resembles a burn that develops into a
blister, filled with a clear or yellow fluid. Nonbullous impetigo, which is the more
commonly seen, presents with a yellow honey colored crust over a red base2.
Impetigo is most commonly found on the face, arms, legs, and trunk. Treatment
consists of a topical antibiotic such as bactroban. This should be applied to the
affected area three times per day for ten days or until the infection is gone2. For
large areas of infection an oral medication can be taken. Athletes with impetigo
infections may not participate until all blisters and lesion are completely cleared2.
The most important things to remember are to practice proper hygiene
immediately after every practice or competition using hot water and antibacterial
soap, keeping practice areas including weight rooms and equipment properly
disinfected, and never to share used towels, equipment, and uniforms without
proper washing. It is always easier to prevent infections from occurring than it is
to contract and then treat them. Please contact coaching staff ASAP and get
treatment from a Doctor. Athlete cannot return to practice without a Doctor’s
note saying he or she is able to wrestle without being covered