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It doesn’t take much for them to get a cold or a stomach bug that could completely ruin their chances for an Olympic medal or a World Championship. In many cases, the average traveler may actually have a stronger immune system than an elite athlete, but you can use the same protocols we use with elite athletes to avoid spending your vacation in bed with a cold. Prevention is all about getting a flu shot and controlling what comes into contact with your eyes, nose, and mouth. Some basic steps can dramatically reduce your chances of becoming ill on the...

A lot of hockey players are dreaming of new equipment for the holidays. Getting new hockey gear is great, but you want to keep it "new" for as long as possible. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep your hockey gear in good shape. Dry Funky Gear Almost every hockey player (and hockey parent) knows that hockey equipment becomes sweaty, damp, and smelly after a game or practice. Hockey gear stored in a trunk or garage never really dries out or airs out. Players can develop skin infections and rashes as a result of bacteria growth. Don't forget...

There is no better breeding ground for trouble than unwashed football, lacrosse, or hockey padding. The mixture of sweat, blood, mucus, and debris after a tough game provides a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, fungus, and deadly viruses that can pose some health risks. Do you know what’s forming in your gear? Now is the time to understand some of these contaminants. MSRA A strain of Staphylococci known as "staph" or "MRSA" has developed a powerful resistance to all penicillin antibiotics. Some strains of MRSA are considered "superbugs" because they are associated with hospitals. Generally, skin infections caused by Staph...

Skin-to-skin contact is essential to the sport of wrestling. Competitors are highly susceptible to contracting and spreading skin illnesses due to this close contact. At Matguard, we pride ourselves on the prevention of skin diseases in sports with our products. Follow these steps below to ensure your skin, gear, and mats are clean!  1.) Step One After each practice and match, disinfect the mats, your skin and other equipment.  It's so easy to clean mats and other equipment by simply spraying with a pump sprayer and letting it dry. Ensure that wrestling mat tape is removed and cleaned every thirty...

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...