Because of prolonged contact with each other and with the wrestling mat, skin infections are a concern for any wrestling program. Although proper hygiene and mat care are all that is needed to reduce infections substantially, outbreaks do sometimes occur. These infections are also a risk for participants in other grappling sports, such as judo, Brazilian jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts.
Kinds of Infections
According to a report by the Georgia High School Association, the wrestling mat infections include staph infection, impetigo, herpes and ringworm. Of these, ringworm is the most common and the most highly contagious. All are skin infections, some of which grow on the skin itself. Others infect small cuts or abrasions, minor injuries that are very common among wrestlers.
How They Spread
Wrestling mat infections spread due to close body contact between an infected person and an uninfected person. The nature of wrestling means that participants will be in close body contact with one another at intervals throughout practice. According to wrestling coach Andy Brick, many wrestling programs have their athletes rotate partners during practice. Although this does give wrestlers experience dealing with opponents of different styles and sides, it does mean a single infected person can infect several others during the course of a single practice. The bacteria, fungi and viruses that cause mat infections can also survive on the mat itself, sometimes for days at a time.
Countermeasures
The Long Island Wrestling Association outlines the best practices to avoid a contracting a mat infection. The best countermeasure against spreading mat infections is to disallow an infected athlete from participating. Coaches should regularly inspect athletes for lesions and other signs of infection. Most mat infections will clear up after a week or so once medicated. Another important countermeasure is regular, at least daily, cleaning of the mats with a bleach solution or other agent that will kill bacteria, fungi and viruses. This is especially important if the mats are rolled up after practice, since many such "bugs" thrive in dark, close environments.
Treatments
Ringworm is treated with an antifungal agent, typically a cream. Both impetigo and staph infections can be treated via topical antibiotics. However, some strains of staph infection have been found to resist normal antibiotic treatment. Such cases often require intravenous medication and a brief hospital stay. Herpes has no known cure, though Valtrex and associated generics can treat symptoms and athletes training with an infected teammate can take prophylactic medications.
Rules
In order to combat the spread of mat-based infections, many athletic programs lay out rules governing mat hygiene and what to do if an athlete gets infected. Sample rules may require regular showers for athletes, a mat and equipment cleaning schedule, and a safety window during which an infected athlete can't practice or compete. Coach Andy Brick notes that not all programs have sufficient rules and some programs enforce the rules only sporadically.
References
- Georgia High School Association: Treatment and prevention of skin infections in wrestlers
- Long Island Wrestling Association: Importance of a clean wrestling room
- Andy Brick, Wrestling Coach, Hillsboro, Oregon
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