Total Kaos Skin Conditions Policy

We do our very best to ensure our wrestling room is cleaned after every practice. In addition to keeping the wrestling mats cleaned, the MOST IMPORTANT preventative action that you can take is to shower with anti-bacterial soap immediately following practice. This means not after dinner or before the wrestler goes to bed. Wrestlers should be going straight home and into a hot shower All clothing from that practice should be separated from other clothes and washed ASAP.

The reality of skin issues is that certain people may be carriers, without showing any outward signs, while some people may be more susceptible to contracting skin conditions. We are a team and we want all wrestlers to be successful. This policy is intended to maximize the mat time for everyone include those who will inevitably contract a skin issue at some point in the season.

1) DETECTION & REPORTING: We will be doing random spot checks prior to practice. It is expected that all wrestlers/families report any confirmed or suspicious skin condition to the head coach AS SOON 'AS THEY SUSPECT SOMETHING. If parents and wrestlers are doing their part, 90% of all skin issues should be identified outside of the random checks.

2) TREATMENT: The policy follows the guidelines for minimum treatment times of skin diseases. The minimum treatment period is required before returning to wrestle. (see Clearance to Wrestle below During practice or tournaments the infected area must be covered until the full course of treatment has been achieved.

3) CLEARANCE TO WRESTLE: The wrestler must not wrestle for at least 2 practices and be unanimously cleared by the head coach, during treatment and prior to any practice or tournaments.

NOTE: The club reserves the final decision on all skin issues and whether to allow a wrestler to practice or register for a tournament with or without a Dr.'s note.

BACKGROUND ON SKIN INFECTIONS

Wrestling has the highest incidence of skin infection of all high school and collegiate sports. This makes sense, due to the close proximity of wrestlers to each other, and the wrestling mats. Heat, humidity and breaks in the skin from trauma predispose wrestlers to infection. Skin disease accounts for 20% of lost mat time due to illness and injury. In addition, as athletes become fatigued, they become more susceptible to infection. Infections are usually bacterial (impetigo), fungal (ringworm), or viral (Herpes Gladiatorum).

Most Common Conditions:

Impetigo is caused by staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria and causes blisters or scabs that then form a yellow crust. Treatment is with topical and/or oral antibiotics. Before a wrestler can compete, all lesions must be scabbed (no oozing) and no new lesions can have occurred in the last 48 hours. This may take 3-10 days of antibiotic therapy. Some patients become infected with resistant strains of bacteria, which can be more difficult to treat.

Ringworm is actually not a worm at all, but a fungus, and it forms a scaly red ring with central clearing. It is the same fungus (Tinea corporis) that causes jock itch and athlete's foot. Treatment is topical or oral antifungals. Athletes can return to sport after 3 days of treatment for skin lesions, 14 days for scalp lesions.

Herpes Gladiatorum is a Herpes simplex virus that is highly contagious and is incurable. It presents as painful clear, fluid filled blisters or bubbles atop a reddened base. It then ruptures and becomes a painful crusty scab. Treatment is based on prevention of outbreaks and shortening the duration of symptoms using antivirals such as Valtrex. An athlete may compete three days after the last lesion has completely healed, or after 5 days of oral treatment.

MRSA aka Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus is a severe bacterial infection that common antibiotics cannot treat. MRSA lesions often look like spider bites. This highly contagious and potentially dangerous infection MAY NOT be covered for competition. It typically develops quickly from small light-colored pustules that become red and possibly black.