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Most skin conditions do not affect sports
participation. As a general rule, young people with skin conditions should be
allowed to participate in sports as long as there is no risk of blood or body
fluid coming into contact with other athletes. Skin conditions that may affect
participation can be divided into temporary and long-term conditions.
Temporary skin conditions that may affect sports
activities include
Skin injuries. Injuries
like cuts and scrapes must be covered to prevent blood or body fluid
from coming into contact with another player.
Friction blisters. These
can be prevented by drying the feet, lubricating with petrolatum, and
ensuring proper shoe fit. Blisters already formed can be left alone and
covered with a bandage or carefully drained. The top of the blister
generally should not be removed.
Jogger’s nipple.
Friction of fabric against the nipples can cause chafing and bleeding.
It can be prevented in women by the use of sports bras, and in men by
applying petrolatum or tape, or wearing synthetic or silk shirts.
Poison ivy/oak. This rash
is due to allergy to the plants. It is not contagious. However, open
sores or blisters must be covered so that no fluid can come in contact
with another player.
Athletes with visible signs of skin infection
should not be allowed to participate in contact, collision, or limited-contact
sports. This can help prevent the spread of infection to other athletes. These
include
Fever blisters and cold
sores. These are caused by the herpesvirus. They look like
clusters of small blisters that soon dry out and form scabs.
Herpes gladiatorum. A type
of herpes infection in wrestlers causing lesions on the skin. This
infection is very contagious and can spread quickly among teammates or
opponents. These look similar to fever blisters at other places on the
head.
Boils and impetigo. Boils
are tender red knots with small white or yellow pus heads on top.
Impetigo has large blisters filled with pus or shallow raw areas covered
with yellow scabs. These infections are usually caused by
antibiotics. At other times, however, it may be an antibiotic-resistant
strain (also called
cause serious illness if not recognized and treated early.
Ringworm. This infection is
caused by a fungus, similar to the fungus that causes athlete’s
foot. It may look like a round or oval patch with pink or red raised
edges covered by fine flakes of skin. The center may look normal.
Ringworm fungal infection in wrestlers is commonly called
gladiatorum.
Scabies. A very itchy rash
that is highly contagious. It looks like small pink or red bumps and is
often found on the hands between fingers and on the wrist.
Athletes with long-term skin problems are not
usually limited in their sports participation. Some conditions require special
care to prevent making the skin problem worse. This includes
Psoriasis and vitiligo.
Athletes need to protect their skin from scrapes to avoid making the
skin problem flare.
Sun sensitivity problems.
Athletes should use sunblock and wear hats and sun-protective
clothing.
Inherited blistering
disorders. Athletes must use protective padding and avoid
friction injuries as much as possible.
Hives. Athletes may have
flares during sports activities and should have medicine available.
Condition | What Must the Athlete Do? | Is It OK to Participate? |
---|---|---|
Minor cuts, scrapes | Must be covered to prevent blood transfer to other players. Bandage should be waterproof. |
Yes if special care is taken |
Friction blisters | If new, leave intact. If open, cover with bandage. | Yes |
Jogger’s nipple | Sports bras for women; petrolatum or tape for men. | Yes |
Poison ivy/oak | Must cover open sores or blisters. | Yes |
Psoriasis | Try to prevent scrapes. | Yes |
Vitiligo | Try to prevent scrapes. | Yes |
Impetigo, boils | Potentially contagious. | No |
Acne | No limitations as long as no open wounds. | Yes |
Herpes, fever blisters | Potentially contagious. | No |
Warts | Potentially contagious. | Yes, if solitary or localized warts can be securely covered |
Ringworm fungus | Potentially contagious. | No |
Sun sensitivity problems | Must use sunblock and wear hat and sun-protective clothing. | Yes if special care is taken |
Inherited blistering disorders | Must use protective padding and avoid friction injury. | Yes if special care is taken |
Hives | May experience flares from heat or exertion. | Yes if special care is taken |
Other long-term skin problems | In general, no limitations. | Yes |
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