Wrestling is a combat sport. It comes with its own assortment of bumps, bruises and miscellaneous injuries. Pulled muscles, bruised ribs and nosebleeds are common and expected "prices of admission" for this rigorous sport. Because of the close contact with mats and other wrestlers, rashes are a less well-known -- but just as common -- risk for these athletes.
Non-Contagious Rashes
Some rashes wrestlers experience are minor and not contagious. With proper treatment, they heal quickly and should not interfere with competition or practice. Heat rashes from exertion in hot practice rooms and mild abrasions called "mat rash" are two examples of this kind of rash. Clean skin and rest are the best treatment for these simple afflictions.
Contagious Rashes
Other rashes are symptoms of a skin infection caused by fungi, bacteria or viruses. These often appear as fluid-filled sores or open lesions and are caused by incompletely cleaned mats or contact with a wrestler who was already infected. These contagious rashes can quickly spread through an entire team. If you have a contagious rash, you should avoid practice -- and are likely to be disqualified from competition -- until the rash is gone.
Parasites
Ringworm is a surprisingly common rash among wrestlers --- and one that is highly contagious and hard to control. Ringworm shows up as a rash of circular, bruise-like markings on the body. As with the other contagious rashes, a ringworm infection means you should avoid contact with other wrestlers until you've cleared it up. This can be a long process and may keep you out of the action for most of a season.
Prevention
Cleanliness and disinfection are the keys to preventing contagious rashes on a wrestling team. Teams should clean their wrestling mats with a disinfectant solution after each practice; wrestlers should shower with antibacterial soap immediately after practice. You should wash your wrestling gear regularly, in hot water and using bleach, and store your gear apart from other clothing. Consult your doctor if your rash matches the aforementioned descriptions or if it persists or worsens.
References
- "Healthwise Handbook"; Kaiser Permanente Publishing; 2011
- NCAA Publications; 2010-2011 NCAA Wrestling Rules Book; 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Ringworm; Oct. 30, 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Slide show: Common skin rashes; Dec. 21, 2010
