Wrestling and Skin Conditions - Prevention This Season

Wrestling and Skin Conditions - Prevention This Season

Skin-to-skin contact is essential to the sport of wrestling. As a result of this close contact, competitors are at high risk of contracting or spreading skin conditions. Below are a number of common skin conditions. So that you can further be aware, identify and get treatment as soon as possible. Matguard products are made specifically to PREVENT the diseases listed below. 

Ringworm

Known also as 'athlete's foot, ringworm is a fungal infection that usually affects the skin on the body (tinea corporis), the scalp (tinea capitis), or the groin (tinea cruris, or 'jock itch').

Signs and Symptoms:

  • Lesion of Tinea Corporis: A raised, reddened plaque with scaly borders
  • Tinea capitis lesion: Round, gray scaly patches accompanied by mild hair loss
  • Toe webs usually have thick scaling in tinea pedis lesions
  • Though normally circular in shape, the lesion may present with a more irregularly shaped border in athletes

Return to Play Guidelines

Treat tinea corporis (3 days) or tinea capitis (scalp) in at least 72 hours, prescribed by a physician. When the athlete is cleared to return to activity, the lesion must be adequately covered (occlusive dressing). In addition, ensure your player has begun washing with our body foam cartridges. Athletes spritz the product on their hands and then wipe our non-sticky formula onto exposed skin from head to toe. 

Impetigo

The most common site of impetigo is the face, neck, and upper extremities. Competitors may not cover it without treatment.

Signs and Symptoms:

There are three types of lesions: thin-walled vesicles that rupture to reveal rough surfaces covered in yellowish-brown or honey-colored crusts. Early symptoms include superficial blisters that rupture easily

Return to Play Guidelines:

  • No new skin lesions for at least 48 hours (2 days)
  • Completion of a 72-hour (3-day) course of directed antibiotic therapy
  • No further drainage from the wound
  • Active lesions MAY NOT be covered for competition

MRSA aka Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

Often, antibiotics cannot treat MRSA or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. These lesions often can be confused as spider bites. It is a highly contagious and potentially dangerous infection. There may be limitations on competition coverage for active lesions.

Signs and Symptoms:

  • The initial appearance of lesions is very similar to that of folliculitis, furuncles, and carbuncles. Inflammation, swelling, redness, and possibly black markings develop quickly from small pustules into larger pustules or abscesses.
  • Fever, fatigue and other symptoms of systemic infections may also be present.

Return to Play Guidelines:

  • Treatment with directed antibiotics for 72 hours (3 days)
  • No further drainage from the wound.
  • Ensure a minimum of 48 hours (2 days) have passed since the last skin lesion.
  • For the competition, it is necessary to cover inactive, dry, healing lesions.

Prevention:

  • Ensure your Athletic Trainer or physician is aware of any suspicious lesions that appear on your body on a daily basis.
  • Have all game and practice gear laundered daily.
  • Further follow good personal hygiene practices:
    • Immediately after practices and games, shower with antimicrobial soap and wash your hands frequently.
    • Towels, razors, athletic equipment, water bottles, and hair clippers should not be shared.
    • AVOID body shaving.
    • If you have skin lesions, do not enter common whirlpools or tubs.

Our Prevention-Based Products for Wrestlers 

MATGUARD Wipes, Sprays, and Foam use a proprietary formulation containing 70% Isopropanol that is highly effective at killing MRSA without drying skin or leaving a sticky residue. 

MATGUARD® BODY WIPES contain a patented formulation that has proven to be extremely effective at preventing the germs, viruses, and bacteria that people involved in athletic and physical activity come in contact with.

MATGUARD antiseptic sprays contain special ingredients that kill 99.9% of the germs, bacteria, and nasty stuff that people involved in athletic activities are prone to...while leaving you clean all over and smelling awesome.

Checkout our MatPRO Cleaning Solutions for Mats and surfaces

Back to News

Tags