I personally would like to stress skin checks at satellite weigh ins,If possible. Below is a very detailed article if you have time to read. Thank you
Common Contagious Skin Conditions in Amateur Wrestling
It is that time of year again. The weather is getting colder and the amateur wrestling pre-season is in full gear. Amateur wrestling is unique for several reasons. For example, most of the participants must train long and hard to make their wrestling weight. Wrestling is a contact sport, but it allows for the wearing of very little protective equipment, thus the athletes wrestle through various injuries that are usually only seen in wrestling, such as cauliflower ear. Perhaps the aspect that most makes wrestling unique in the sporting world is that the athletes must be concerned about contracting one of many contagious skin conditions that can render them ineligible for competition until the lesion has entered a non-contagious phase. These skin conditions can be frustrating not only for the athletes and their parents, but for the coaching and sports medicine staff as well. The purpose of this article is to inform athletes, their parents, coaches, and athletic trainers about the common types of contagious skin conditions seen in wrestling, how to assess the condition, treatment options for each type, and finally how to prevent contracting these skin conditions.
The most common types of contagious skin lesions are bacterial, fungal, or viral in nature. They are usually transmitted through close body contact, touching an infected surface or object with an abrasion or open wound, or by sharing clothes, towels and other equipment such as headgear.
The two most common types of bacterial lesions are impetigo contagiosa (impetigo) and staphylococcus. Impetigo is a very contagious lesion that can be caused by staphylococcus, or less likely, streptococcus bacteriae, which are normally carried in a person's skin, nose, throat, and respiratory tract. Impetigo has been known to thrive on inanimate objects such as wrestling mats, towels, and doorknobs and has been responsible for significant amounts of wrestling time lost. It can be easily spread to an entire team if not recognized quickly. Symptoms of impetigo include an itchy cluster of small lesions that become honey colored crustations that "weep" or ooze. It feels similar to a scab if it is palpated. Athletes that suspect that they may have impetigo should not engage in contact sports while contagious and should practice good hygiene to protect other athletes with whom they may come into contact. They should follow up with a physician and are usually treated with prescription topical and systemic antibiotics.
Staphylococcus, or staph infections, are another form of bacterial lesion. Most types of staph are harmless to humans, but some strains can be very aggressive. Staph has made headlines as of late due to the recent outbreak of a rare form of antibiotic resistant staph that plagued several Miami Dolphins in September 2003. The case in Miami is the exception, not the rule, but it goes to illustrate how bacterial lesions can spread. Staph is usually treated with oral or IV antibiotics. Staph is transmitted in the same manner as impetigo through direct contact with an open wound. It is characterized by redness, tenderness, and swelling. It can also cause lesions that will weep or ooze pus. The athlete with these symptoms should be held out of contact and should follow up with a physician as soon as possible.
Bacterial infections are less common than fungal infections in wrestling. Fungi are plants closely related to mushrooms and are spread by seeds called spores. Fungi spores thrive in warm, dark, humid and moist areas such as a locker room or a basement. They spread by person-to-person contact. The spores may incubate on the body for up to two weeks before symptoms are noted, so it is difficult to pinpoint the exact source of infection. The most common type of contagious fungal lesions in wrestling is tinea infections such as ringworm.
Ringworm, (tinea corporis), is characterized by reddish, ring-like lesions that can be scaly or crusted. They are fairly obvious to identify given their ring-like shape. These lesions itch and are transmitted when moist, such as when sweaty. Suspected cases of ringworm should be seen by a physician. These athletes should be held out of contact drills. Ringworm can be treated over the counter with anti-fungal medications such as Lamisil or Lotrimin, but a prescription topical anti-fungal ointment would be optimal.
Viral infections are less common than bacterial or fungal infections, but they can mean for a longer period of inactivity for the affected wrestler. The most common types of viral infections in wrestling are from the herpes simplex (type 1) virus. Herpes virus lesions are commonly called "cold sores" or "fever blisters". Most people carry the herpes virus but the condition does not erupt until the person's immune response is diminished due to fever, stress, or excessive fatigue due to over training. Herpes virus usually affects the border of the mouth, lips, and cheeks, but may occur on any skin surface. Initially a burning or tingling sensation on the skin will precede an outbreak of blister-like lesions that can rupture and crust over. These conditions usually last between 7-14 days, with a maximum contagious period of about 5 days after the onset of eruptions. Herpes is transmitted from body-to-body contact and contact with shared items such as towels and wrestling mats. Currently there is no cure for herpes simplex, so the athlete must stay out of contact drills until the crusted lesions have healed.
The contagious skin conditions listed above are very common in wrestling. For many years they have been considered nothing more than "an occupational hazard" due to the fact that most wrestlers have contracted a skin lesion of some form. This way of thinking should be re-examined because if skin lesions are not recognized and proper action is not taken, they can quickly spread until an entire team or an entire program is ineligible for competition. Listed below are some tips for athletes, parents, and coaches on how to prevent contracting these skin conditions.
PREVENTION IS THE GREATEST TREATMENT.
1) Wrestling mats should be cleaned daily prior to and following practice/competition with an agent that is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. The antiviral agent should specify that it is anti HIV. Ken Clean is a popular product for cleaning wrestling mats.
2) Locker rooms and showers, and any other place where sweaty athletes congregate should be cleaned with bleach water at least once every 7 days.
3) Preventative lotions or creams that are antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial are good to apply to all areas of exposed skin prior to practice or competition. Ken Shield is a popular product for this purpose.
4) Do not allow people with street shoes to walk on the mats. You never know what can be tracked onto the mats.
5) Cover all wounds to prevent exposure to bacteria or fungi.
6) Encourage good hygiene. Encourage the athletes to shower with soap and hot water immediately following practice or competition. The faster they shower, the less likely they will develop a skin lesion.
7) Discourage the sharing of towels, razors, roll on deodorant, and other personal products.
8) Encourage the wrestlers to report suspect lesions to coaches and the sports medicine staff.
9) Over the counter antifungal medications can be applied to suspected ringworm lesions until it can be examined by a physician.
10) If the lesions do not improve, follow up with a physician for a wound culture. A culture will determine which antibiotic will be effective against the infection.
11) Last but not least, my personal guideline for determining when to send and athlete for follow up with a physician is "if it looks threatening, it probably is".
The above information is intended to present athletes, parents, and coaches useful information regarding contagious skin lesions in wrestling. These lesions can be prevented if the above tips are observed. If you have any questionable skin lesions, you should follow up with your physician for further care.
For further information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at
www.cdc.gov .
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