Transcript Skin Infections In Wrestling

Skin Infections In Wrestling
Mr. Staub
SGASD Athletic Trainer
[email protected]
717-225-4731 ext. 7539
Ringworm (Tinea Corporis)
– Fungal Skin Infection
– Transmitted primarily through skin to skin
contact
– Prevalence rate is between 20% - 55% in high
school wrestling
– Preventative measures can limit the spread
Ringworm
Ringworm (Tinea Capitis) Scalp
Ringworm (Tinea Pedis) –
Athlete’s Foot
Ringworm
– Most common locations are:
 Head
 Neck
 Arms
 Trunk
 Rarely located on the legs

Thrives in dark, moist, warm environments
Ringworm
– The distribution of lesions in wrestling supports
skin to skin contact
– If wrestling mats played a role in the
transmission, more lesions would be located on
the lower extremity
– Cultures of the wrestling mats have not been
supportive in their role in transmission
Ringworm
– Prevention
 Shower immediately after practice
 Launder your clothing daily
 Shampoo your hair daily (Dandruff Shampoo)
 Do not share towels, clothing, headgear, razors, etc.
 Wear sandals in the locker room and shower
 Skin checks before practice/events on a periodic
basis
 Infected wrestlers should not wrestle
Ringworm
– Treatment
 Topical Therapy
– Anti-Fungal creams/ointments (Lamisil, Lotramin AF,
etc.)
– Apply to the area 2-3 times a day for 3-4 weeks
– Continue for the above time period even when the lesion is
no longer visible

Oral Therapy
– Pills prescribed by your Doctor
– Take as directed
Ringworm
– Return to wrestle guidelines
 MINIMUM of 72 hours of oral or topical treatment
 MINIMUM of 14 days if on the scalp
 Solitary or close clustered lesions must be covered
before wrestling
MRSA – Methicillin Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus

Bacterial infection caused by the
Staphylococcus bacteria
 Often called “Staph” infection
 Usually start out looking like small red
bumps resembling pimples, boils, or spider
bites
 They can quickly turn into deep painful
abscesses that require draining
MRSA

Infections can stay on the skin OR
 It can penetrate into the body causing lifethreatening infections in the bones, joints,
blood stream, heart valves and lungs
MRSA
About 1/3 of the population is “colonized”
with this bateria on their skin or in their
nose
 They may not be sick, but can pass the
bacteria on to other people
 It is generally harmless unless it enters the
body through a cut or wound

MRSA

Over time, this bacteria has become
resistant to many of the drugs that are on the
market
MRSA
MRSA

Risk Factors
– Participating in contact sports
– Sharing towels or other personal items
– Weakened immune system
– Crowded and unsanitary conditions
MRSA
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Treatment
– Tissue sample or nasal swab to see if it MRSA
– Will respond to certain medications
 Vancomycin can be used to treat MRSA
 It has been becoming less effective
– Many doctors may just drain the abscess
MRSA
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Prevention
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Wash your hands
Keep your personal items personal
Keep all wounds covered
Shower after practice/matches
Wash your clothing daily
Get tested if you suspect MRSA
Removed from competition if infected
MRSA

Return to Wrestle Guidelines
– If it has been diagnosed, there should be a
MINIMUM of 10 days of oral antibiotics
before returning to competition or until all
lesions are scabbed over
Impetigo
Bacterial skin infection – Staphylococcus or
Streptococcus bacteria
 Highly contagious
 Signs and Symptoms

– Red sores that quickly rupture, ooze for a few days,
then form a yellowish-brown crust
– Itching
– Painless, fluid-filled blisters
– More seriouspainful fluid/pus filled blisters that turn
into deep ulcers
Impetigo
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Impetigo
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Impetigo
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Risk Factors
– Direct skin to skin contact
– Crowded conditions
– Warm, humid environment
– Contact with contaminated objects – towels,
clothing etc.
Impetigo

Can lead to MRSA if not treated
 Treatment
– Change in hygiene habits
– Topical Antibiotic
– Oral Antibiotic

Prevention
– Wash hands and clothing
– Shower after practice
– Do not share personal items
Impetigo
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Return to Wrestle Guidelines
– To be considered Non-Contagious
 All lesions must be scabbed over with no oozing or
discharge and no new lesions should have occurred
in the preceding 48 hours
 Oral antibiotics for 3 days is considered a
MINIMUM to achieve this status
 If new lesions continue to develop or drain after 72
hours, MRSA should be considered10 days off
Herpes Simplex 1 (Cold Sore)

Viral infections that usually occurs around the
mouth or face, but can occur anywhere over the
body
 Once you have herpes, you always have it
– It can reoccur at anytime, usually in the the same
general region
– Virus lies dormant in your nerve cells
– Once triggered, it travels the nerve path to the skin and
causes the cold sore
Herpes Simplex 1 (Cold Sore)

What causes the cold sore to reappear:
– Illness, fever, or the flu
– Exposure to sun
– Stress
– Changes to immune system
– Trauma to the skin
Herpes Simplex 1 (Cold Sore)
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Herpes Simplex 1 (Cold Sore)
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Signs and Symptoms
– Group of blisters on a red base
– Dry up rapidly and leave scabs
– May itch
– Sometimes preceded by tingling or burning in
the area from a few hours to a couple of days
Herpes Simplex 1 (Cold Sore)
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Return to Wrestle Guidelines
– To be considered non-contagious, all lesions must be
scabbed over with no oozing or discharge and no new
lesions should have occurred in the preceding 48 hours
– 1st Episodetreated and not allowed to compete for a
MINIMUM of 10 days

If fever and swollen lymph nodes are presenttreatment
extended to 14 days
– Recurrent outbreaks require a MINIMUM of 5 full days
of oral anti-viral treatment
Molluscum Contagiosum

Viral skin infection
 Firm bumps that are painless
 Usually disappear within a 6-12 months
without treatment
 If scratched open, they can spread
 Spread through direct skin to skin contact
and contact with contaminated objects
Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum Contagiosum
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Treatment
– Removal by:

Scrapping or curettage

Freezing
Laser therapy
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– Medications to remove warts
– Adhesive tapes????
Molluscum Contagiosum
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Return to Wrestle Guidelines
– 24 hours after curettage
Eczema

Chronic itchy rash that tends to come and
go
 Exact cause in unknown, but is likely due to
a combination of dry, irritable skin together
with a malfunction of the immune system
Eczema
Take Home Message

Do not share personal items
 Shower after practice/matches
 Wash clothing daily
 Wash hands frequently
 Cover all wounds
 Seek advice from your athletic trainer
Questions?????
Mr. Staub
[email protected]
717-225-4731 ext. 7539