Download Westerville Close to Home Health Care Center Newsletter

December 2010 – January 2011
Nationwide Children’s Sports Medicine
Bishop Ready Sports Report
Spotlight: Sports Hygiene
Report Skin Lesions!
From the National Federation of State High School
Associations (NFHS) Sports Medicine Advisory
Committee (SMAC):
REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS SKIN LESION AS
SOON AS YOU NOTICE IT!
Proper precautions are needed to minimize the potential
risk of the spread of communicable disease and skin
infections during athletic competition. These conditions
include skin infections that occur due to skin contact with
competitors and equipment. The transmission of
infections such as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) and Herpes Gladiatorum, blood-borne
pathogens such as HIV and Hepatitis B, and other
infectious diseases such as Influenza can often be greatly
reduced through proper hygiene. The NFHS SMAC has
outlined and listed below some general guidelines for the
prevention of the spread of these diseases.
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Universal Hygiene Protocol for All Sports:
Shower with antimicrobial soap immediately after
every competition and practice and wash hands
frequently.
Wash all workout clothing after each practice.
Wash personal gear (knee pads and braces) weekly.
Do not share towels or personal hygiene products
(razors, hair clippers) with others.
Do not share water bottles or athletic equipment with
others.
Refrain from full body (chest, arms, abdomen)
cosmetic shaving.
Avoid entering common whirlpools or tubs if skin
lesions are present.
Perform daily full-body skin checks and report any
suspicious lesions to your athletic trainer or
physician as soon as they appear!
Tinea aka Ringworm (shown in the photo below) is just
one example of a highly contagious skin infection that may
be transmitted in athletics.
Photo courtesy Nationwide Children’s Hospital Dermatology.
Skin diseases like ringworm and MRSA (show on the
back) are highly contagious. Hiding or failing to
notice them could have serious consequences, such
as…
~ The disease can spread/worsen. Delayed treatment
may result in more time out of practice and competition.
~ The disease may be passed to teammates and/or
opponents, causing them to miss practice and
competition.
~ Some diseases, like herpes, stay with you for life.
~ If not treated, some diseases can lead to potentially
dangerous complications – and thus more time out of
practice and competition.
The sooner you REPORT IT, the sooner you get
TREATMENT, and the sooner you RETURN TO PLAY!
For Your Information:
Look under “Sports Medicine Resources”
on our website:
www.NationwideChildrens.org/Sports-Medicine
Also, visit our website and sign up today to
receive the online Scouting Report. 6 issues
per year, each with educational sports health
tips targeted to the young athlete.