Stay on the Mat: Skin Conditions and Concerns

Wrestling is a sport in which athletes have close skin to skin contact for the majority of the event. It is during this contact that even the most innocent skin irritation could lead to a contagious event sometimes taking almost an entire team out of commission for an extended period of time.

Contagious skin disease can be broken into two areas infections and infestations. For the purpose of this article three types of infections will be reviewed:
Bacterial,
Viral and
Fungal.

There are three infectious diseases of the skin that strike fear into any wrestling coach; they are Impetigo, Herpes Gladiatorum, and Ringworm. The three actually represent the three different types of infections.

Skin diseases are common in wrestling because of the increased body temperature, sweat, and friction caused by the sport. The resulting moist and warm environment encourages growth of bacteria and fungus. The friction creates open (imperfect) areas in the skin that allow the bacteria, virus, or fungus to enter. When this imperfect skin comes into contact with an infectious agent from another person's skin or on equipment, infections may occur.

1. Bacterial:
Impetigo is a skin infection caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Impetigo is highly contagious with a well known history of affecting many wrestlers. This is a bacterium that can spread during skin to skin contact as well as contact with an infected surface. .Impetigo contagiosa infection is the most common, presenting with a red sore that breaks open quickly leaving an oozing sore that classically forms a honey-yellow crust. Often the lesions appear on the head, face and neck but can occur anywhere on the body.

Treatment depends on the extent and severity of the infection. Often for wrestlers it is a combination of both oral and topical antibiotics. There is to be NO participation until athlete has been treated for 48 hours or until all lesions heal. A physician’s note is required for return to participation but ultimately for competition the referee has the final call.


2. Viral:
Herpes gladiatorum is a skin infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. It occurs often in wrestlers. It causes a rash that commonly appears on the face, neck, shoulder, and arms. This virus is transmitted by skin to skin contact. The presentation of herpes simplex is a usually a rash made up of a cluster of blisters. These blisters may or may not be painful.

To identify or diagnose an infection, it is necessary for a health care provider to examine your skin. They will sometimes perform a culture to test for the herpes virus. A prescription for a medicine called Acyclovir may be given to speed your recovery. The herpes rash usually lasts from 7 to 10 days. Reoccurrences may happen as the virus is dormant in your system. There is to be NO skin contact with any uninfected person while there is any herpes skin rash still present.


3. Fungal:
Ringworm is a rash caused by a fungus that has infected your skin. The name gives one a misunderstanding that it is caused by a worm or parasite, this is not true, it is a fungus. Ringworm on the skin is called tinea corporis. When ringworm is on the feet, it is called tinea pedis or athlete’s foot, and when it is on the scalp, it is called tinea capitis. The fungus can also infect the inner thighs and groin. This type of ringworm is called jock itch or tinea cruris.

The rash caused by a ringworm infection is usually round or oval and has a raised border. It starts small and slowly grows larger. The rash may itch and the skin may become scaly. There may be some small, pus-filled bumps. Over time the rash spreads from one part of the body to other parts. Ringworm can causes patches of hair loss especially on the head.

The treatment of ringworm depends on your health and extent of the infection. Your health care provider may scrape the skin and look at it under a microscope or use an ultraviolet (UV) light to look for ringworm on the scalp. Usually treatment is an antifungal cream for the area of the rash; sometimes an oral medication may be prescribed. It's important to keep using the medicine, as directed, for a week after you no longer see a rash to make sure it's completely gone. Unfortunately it is common to get ringworm again, sometimes becoming a long-term problem.

Simple measures can be taken to lessen the likelihood of contracting a skin infection. They are mainly in the family of hygiene: clean and disinfect. Showering with soap after practice and meets, not sharing towels, razors, or soap, proper laundering of personal towels and clothing, and cleaning of the mats daily, more frequently on days of high use, are easy ways to cut the risk. Surfaces needing attention include head gear, wrestling mats, and any other equipment used by the team such as stationary bike, Swiss balls, etc. during cleaning.

Bring attention to your coach any skin lesions. Make sure to avoid close contact with others until appropriate diagnosis and treatment occur.

Posted: 2007-11-01