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Rugby players who share towels, razors or even ice baths are at risk of passing on serious skin infections, Public Health England experts warn. An investigation at a Midlands rugby club found the PVL-MSSA bug had spread between players, giving rise to boils, abscesses and carbuncles. And in serious cases, the infection can lead to life-threatening illness and cause skin and tissues to die. Doctors have urged players to indulge in less sharing and better hygiene. 'Close contact' The condition is caused by a strain of bacteria, known as methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, that produces a toxin called Panton-Valentine leukocidin. Public...

Abstract Although the usual perspective on return to play for athletes is recovery from injury, an unheralded aspect on return to play involves potentially contagious skin infections. An estimated 8.5% of health conditions and injuries related to high school sports and 21% of health conditions and injuries related to college sports involve infectious diseases of the skin. In about half of these cases, the head, face, or neck is affected. The infectious agents are common microorganisms, including methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus and Streptococcus bacteria, herpes viruses, and tinea fungi. The challenge for physicians is to provide proper treatment to patients...

Myriad dermatoses can affect athletes. One of the most common cutaneous manifestations of athletic activity are skin infections caused by bacteria,1,2,3,4 viruses,1,2,4,5,6,7,8 and fungi.1,2,4,9,10,11 Many infections are contagious and may have serious ramifications for team practices and competitions. Knowledge of these infections facilitates implementation of rapid treatment and preventive measures to ensure the least disruption in daily team activities. Go to: BACTERIAL INFECTIONS Several specific sports-related dermatologic conditions are caused by bacterial infection. Staphylococcal infection is the most common, but streptococcal infection is also common.1,2,3,4Both organisms may present as various clinical disorders, such as impetigo, erysipelas, folliculitis,1,2,4 and furunculosis.3 These...

Think boils and blisters are no big deal? Think again. Some seemingly minor skin problems are caused by MRSA, potentially lethal staph germs that are resistant to some antibiotics. The key to successful treatment of a MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection is prompt treatment. That's why it's so important to know all about MRSA - what causes it, how it's treated, and - perhaps most important - what MRSA skin infections look like. What does a MRSA skin infection look like? Typically, it's a bump, boil, pustule, or infected area that is red and swollen and full of pus. It...

What is ringworm of the skin? Ringworm of the skin is an infection caused by a fungus. Jock itch is a form of ringworm that causes an itchy rash on the skin of your groin area. It is much more common in men than in women. Jock itch may be caused by the spread ofathlete's foot fungus to the groin. What causes ringworm? Ringworm is not caused by a worm. It is caused by a fungus. The kinds of fungi (plural of fungus) that cause ringworm live and spread on the top layer of the skin and on the hair....