Skin Infections

The three most common skin infections in athletes are:

• Staphylococcus aureus “Staph”
  Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria. Sometimes it is resistant to certain types of antibiotics and is called MRSA. Staph typically causes one or more painful sores, with pus surrounded by redness, sometimes associated with fever.
  • MRSA: Information for Coaches and Athletes
    Fact sheet with frequently asked questions about CA-MRSA for athletes and coaches.
• Herpes gladiatorum 
  Herpes is the same virus that causes cold sores in the mouth. Typically it causes one or more painful blisters with clear fluid surrounded by redness.
• NIH: Tinea “Ringworm” 
  Ringworm is a fungus on the skin. Typically it causes itchy, dry, red, circular patches.

These infections can lead to:

• Lost playing time
• Wounds or rashes that keep coming back
• Hair loss
• Scarring, sometimes on face
• Rarely, serious life-threatening infections if not treated quickly

Get it checked out. Don’t wait.

• Report any skin problems to your athletic trainer, school nurse, coach, or health care provider.
• Tell your health care provider you participate in competitive sports.
• Check with league rules if you have questions about participation.

What are the risk factors for passing skin infections from one person to another?

• Skin-to-skin contact
  • Wrestling and football are the sports with the most number of outbreaks.
  • Outbreaks have been reported among participants in many other sports .
• Inadequate hand washing.
• Sharing sweaty or dirty clothes, towels, or equipment.
• Breaks in the skin, sores, or open wounds particularly if they are draining fluid and are not covered by a bandage that covers the entire wound.
• Not showering after every practice or game.