Athletic Training Corner

Welcome to the Athletic Training Corner. Here you will find information on pertinent topics related to athletic injuries and/or performance. This information is updated monthly by Thompson Health's athletic training staff.

Each month’s topic will be relevant to the types of sports going on at the time.

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Wrestling and Skin Infections

3 types of infections that can plague a wrestler
Wrestlers - high school


Bacteria
• Small organisms that are found everywhere: in the air, water, ground, mats, and on skin
• They become a problem if they get into and under the skin and “colonize”
• 2 major strains are Staphylococcal and Streptococcal, which produce infectious lesions
• Early identification and management is critical in minimizing the impact on the athlete

image of steph infection
Staph Aureus Infection

Viruses
• Viruses are constantly changing and mutating but they need a “host” to survive
• Within the sport of wrestling, the primary agent is Herpes Simplex Type-I
• Major concern with Herpes is that once an athlete has contracted the virus, they become carriers for life and can sustain a breakout lesion at any time
• If a breakout infection occurs, they can “share” the virus with anyone with whom they have direct contact

Viruses - image of Herpes Simplex Type-1
Herpes Simplex Type-1

Fungal Infections
• Spread through the dispersal of spores and can be very contagious
• Love moist conditions and in some cases prefer to be anaerobic (without oxygen)
• Common types seen in athletes are “Athlete’s Foot", “Jock Itch", and Ringworm

Wrestler problems - Athlete's Foot
Athlete’s Foot

Wrestler problems - Ring Worm
Ringworm

See your physician if you have a skin lesion with any of these qualities:
1. Lesions with a red, flaky border
2. Weepy lesions, especially with pus or yellowish fluid
3. Facial lesions associated with fever, redness and swollen lymph nodes
4. Any skin lesion that is around the mouth, crosses the face into the scalp, or redevelops in the same area.
5. Lesions that produce a “pins and needles” sensation

MRSA
• Stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
• It is staph that is resistant to commonly used antibiotics.

What types of infections does MRSA cause?
• Most infections are minor skin infections that may appear as sores or boils that often are red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage
• Commonly occur either at sites of breaks in the skin such as cuts and abrasions, and areas of the body covered by hair (for example, the back of the neck, groin, buttock, armpit, or beard area)
• Almost all MRSA skin infections can be effectively treated by drainage of the pus by a healthcare provider, with or without antibiotics
• If not treated timely and appropriately, MRSA can be fatal

How is MRSA spread?
• Usually spread from person to person through direct skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces (e.g., towels, used bandages, weight training equipment surface) that have touched a person’s infection
• MRSA is spread more easily among athletes because they are exposed to repeated skin-to-skin contact. Also, MRSA and Staph can enter uncovered cuts and abrasions and cause infection.

Which athletes are most at-risk for MRSA skin infections?
• Skin infections including MRSA have been reported mostly in high-physical-contact sports such as wrestling, football, and rugby. However, MRSA infections have been
reported among athletes in other sports such as soccer, basketball, field hockey, volleyball, rowing, martial arts, fencing and baseball.

Wrestler problems -MRSA Infection
MRSA Infection

“The best cure for skin infections is prevention”


The best way to treat contagious skin infections is prevention. The following rules are critical to the success of preventing wrestlers from becoming infected:

1. GOOD Hygiene

• Shower immediately and no longer than 30 minutes after practice
• Change work-­out clothes and socks daily
• Consistently wash your hands during the day
• DO NOT share equipment

2. If you notice an open lesion, keep it clean, cover it with a dressing and show it to the Athletic Trainer or coach immediately.

3. Do not reuse razors, towels, or lotions that have had contact with an infected lesion.

4. Do self “skin checks” and workout partner “skin checks” daily.

5. Report any redness of a lesion to a coach or Athletic Trainer.

6. If you have a sudden area that “itches", show it to the Athletic Trainer or coach.

7. If you come in contact with an opponent or workout partner with an open lesion, clean the contacted area with appropriate cleanser that contains Triclosan 1% or Nonoxynol 9 (HIBISTAT)

8. Clean all practice mats and equipment daily with a 10% bleach or appropriate cleaner.

9. If a lesion appears to be infected, get to a physician quickly and have the lesion tested to determine the specific organism. Certain lesions may be covered with a bio-occlusive agent to protect teammates, opponents and family members.

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