Issue 029

September 2007

Based on advice from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are several important things we can do to prevent outbreaks of skin infections.

 

  • Shower as soon as possible after training. Consider using antibacterial soap.
  • Avoid sharing training kit with other team mates including towels, earguards, wrestling boots and joint supports. These should be disinfected on a regular basis.
  • Wash training clothes after every use.
  • Ensure that mats are disinfected regularly.
  • Cover all cuts, abrasions and broken skin, however small. Use antiseptic on any new cuts or abrasions received in training.
  • Watch out for signs of infection. If you are affected do not train, and seek medical advice immediately.

 

These last two points are particularly important. Cuts and abrasions are entry points for the micro-organisms that cause these infections. Several years ago, I was reminded of the importance of this. During training one session, I picked up a mat burn that took most of the skin off one kneecap. Thinking nothing of it, I carried on training until the end of the session. The next day, when I woke up it was hot, red and sore, and the knee was a bit stiff. I went training as usual, but several hours after the session I could hardly walk on it. Fortunately I went straight to A&E, where I found it was badly infected and was given antibiotics. Had it been even a few hours later, I might have been looking at intravenous antibiotics, or possibly even surgery. Since then, I’ve heard of several people who’ve had similar infections that have led to serious problems and put them out of training for weeks or even months.

 

The signs to look for are:

  • pain
  • redness
  • heat
  • swelling
  • itching
  • blistering
  • pus / oozing
  • fever / feeling unwell

 

If you suspect that you have a skin infection, do not train. I cannot emphasise this enough. Not only are you putting your health at risk, but there is a strong chance you will pass it on to the people you train with, and it can lead to an outbreak within the gym. Once this has happened, it can be very hard to get rid of. Nor can skin infections just be covered up. Even under a rashguard or a bandage, there is still a chance of passing them on to others. Make sure the people you train with are also aware of these infections and know not to train if they have them.

 

Most of the infections mentioned here will clear up within days if treated early, but can lead to serious health problems and repeated outbreaks if ignored. For many of us, MMA or grappling forms an important aspect of our lives. To minimise disruption to our training, we need to follow basic precautions, know what to look out for, and make sure any infections are treated early.

 

 

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