Skin infections are led by germs or bacteria that flourish beneath the skin and get in through minor wounds like scratches, cuts, scrapes, and blisters.
Athletes of all ages frequently develop skin infections, especially those participating in high-contact sports like wrestling, mixed martial arts, soccer, or football. Skin-to-skin contact between athletes is the most direct way for infections to spread, but infected items like their uniforms, mat, towels, and equipment can also play a role.
As an athlete or a coach, it's essential to have more news and information about skin infections to prevent them. Many distinct skin lesions, infections, blisters, or sores are frequently present as symptoms; these symptoms should cause an athlete to stop training and competing until a doctor can examine them.
To give you a rundown on the common skin infections and how to prevent them check out the list below.
1. Staph
Staph is one of the most common bacterial skin infections among athletes. Staphylococcus bacteria cause staph infections; these bacteria frequently do not harm someone or only cause minimal skin diseases.
The infection may manifest in a variety of ways, including:
· Boils: The most typical staph infection form—a pus-filled pocket in an oil gland or hair follicle. Typically, the skin around the affected region turns red and swells. You can usually find it on the breasts, around the neck, face, and buttocks, but it can also be located in the groin or waist area and under the arms.
· Furuncles And Carbuncles: Furuncles and carbuncles are possible manifestations of Staphylococcus aureus. Abscesses on the buttocks are the most common type of solitary abscess.
· Folliculitis: Individual hair follicles experience the development of tiny, white bumps as a result of folliculitis. These bumps can appear on the scalp, in flexural areas, like underarms, or on the thighs or lower legs. Shaving is a simple way to spread folliculitis.
· Impetigo: Clusters of red, circular, scaly patches with scalloped borders appear on impetigo patients. These areas may spread quickly throughout 24 to 48 hours and are frequently covered with a golden, honey-colored crust. Unlike the herpes simplex virus, there is no tingling or burning in the area before the development of the patches. Impetigo commonly develops on the lower face, although it can spread rapidly and readily throughout the torso and extremities.
Preventive measures for staph are maintaining proper hygiene by washing hands frequently and drying with a clean towel. If you have open wounds, ensure they are bandaged with sterile, dry gauze.
Furthermore, avoid sharing personal belonging with fellow athletes or friends and wash dirty or used clothes properly with soap and clean water.
2. Herpes
Herpes is another skin infection common among athletes, and it's caused by the herpes simplex virus infection (HSV).
Among wrestlers, HSV also commonly appears on the neck, torso, and extremities, where it's often called 'herpes gladiatorum.' When it strikes the fingertip, it's called 'herpetic whitlow.'
The symptoms of HSV typically include recurrent clusters of tender, burning blisters around the mouth or lips. A burning or tingling sensation in the infected area may occur before blisters appear.
Blisters usually take 2 to 3 weeks to crust over and heal. Recurrence in the exact location is common because the virus can remain in the skin.
HSV comes in two forms:
· Oral Herpes: typically affects the mouth and surrounding skin but can also affect the vaginal area; it's brought on by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).
· Genital Herpes: frequently spreads sexually and is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).
Preventive measures for herpes are simple. Use protection when having sex and avoid any sexual activities while symptoms are present. Maintaining good hygiene is also best, like washing hands thoroughly, especially after touching the affected area, during an outbreak. Another good hygiene practice is constantly bathing after every training or competition.
3. Tinea
Tinea is a typical and contagious fungal skin or nail infection. Since tinea fungus prefers damp and warm environments, it thrives in feet, groins, scalps, under the breasts, and occasionally on the toes and fingernails.
Infections such as tinea can affect many areas of the skin/nails, and they have different names according to their location and type. Among these types are:
· Fungal infection of the toe or fingernails is known as nail infection (onychomycosis).
· Body ringworm, also known as tinea corporis, is a fungal illness that appears on the skin's epidermis.
· Tinea pedis, sometimes known as athlete's foot, is a fungal infection of the skin on the feet.
· Ringworm of the scalp, also known as tinea capitis, is a fungus that appears on the scalp.
· A rash in the warm, moist parts of the groin is known as jock itch (tinea cruris).
Preventive measures for tinea is maintaining good personal hygiene. It’s important to wear clean clothes and keep them private. If possible, use clothing that has natural materials and keep your feet and whole body clean and dry before wearing them.
In Summary
Athletes will constantly be exposed to sweat and dirt whenever they train or compete, so it’s inevitable that they will experience or catch skin infections.
Having the proper knowledge of such skin conditions will help athletes and coaches have the upper hand in preventing them. That way, it won't get away with their performance.
