Download Helping Students Meet the Standard for Combative

ShawnaYoung, Ed.D.
California State University, Stanislaus
Background
 Participation in combative activities (e.g., wrestling, self–defense, judo) can
be a rewarding experience for students: an opportunity to acquire important
skills for personal safety/self protection, and an opportunity for fitness
development
 In some states, combative activities are a required curricular element
 Example: California requires inclusion of combative activity in high school
physical education - mandated by the state education code.
Transmission of Skin Disease
 Combative activities can involve a significant amount of direct skin to skin
contact where participants touch practice partners’ exposed skin on arms,
legs, the neck, and face with his/her own exposed skin.
 If one practice partner is infected and contact is made, transmission may
occur.
 If repeated contact with the mat by an individual infected with a skin disease
and contact by another individual occurs, transmission may take place.
 It is important that physical educators & coaches take special care to manage
the risk of transmission of communicable skin diseases.
Ringworm (Tinea)
Ringworm (Tinea)
 What is it?
 Ringworm, also known as Tinea, is a fungus that infects the skin on its outer
layers
 How is it Transmitted?
 Ringworm is transmitted by direct contact with an infected person or by the
sharing of objects like clothes, towels, or sports equipment.
Ringworm (Tinea)
 Signs and symptoms
 Typically, ringworm results in an itchy rash that may form large round patches
with a clearing in the center, giving it a ring-like appearance.
 Treatment
 When treated early, most cases are cured with topical antifungal creams.
However, if they are not treated early enough, antibiotics may be required
(Adams, 2002; Drake, 1996).
HSV-1 (Cold Sores)
HSV-1 (Cold Sores)
 What is it?
 Cold sores are blisters on the lip and outer edge of the mouth caused by the herpes
simplex virus (which also causes genital herpes). Once the HSV is contracted, it
remains in the body permanently and recurrent outbreaks may occur.
 How is it transmitted?
 HSV-1 is transmitted by direct skin contact with an infected person. It is important to
know that transmission is not limited to contact between moist membranous areas
such as the mouth and genitals. If there are breaks in the skin, for example on the
finger, and that vulnerable area comes in contact with the herpes virus, transmission
may occur.
HSV-1 (Cold Sores)
 Signs and symptoms
 Cold sores on the mouth can be painful and cause fever, a sore throat, and
swollen lymph nodes in the neck. They appear as blisters that usually break
open and weep clear fluid, then scab over and heal within a few days. However,
if the infection spreads, more blisters may develop.
 Treatment
 There is no cure for cold sores or for the herpes virus. Once the virus is
contracted, the individual is a permanent carrier. However, antiviral
medications can reduce the symptoms associated with the outbreak of sores
and may decrease the healing time (Marques & Straus, 2003; Sterling, 2002).
Impetigo
Impetigo
 What is it?
 Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection that can appear anywhere on the body,
typically on exposed skin areas.
 How is it transmitted?
 Impetigo is transmitted by direct skin contact with an infected person, or by the
sharing of objects like infected clothes, towels, or sports equipment.
Impetigo
 Signs and symptoms
 The infected areas of the skin begin as blisters in small patches that break and
expose moist red skin. The area then crusts over and gradually spreads.
 Treatment
 Mild cases can be treated with prescription ointments. More severe cases may
require the use of antibiotics (Haines, 2005).
Staph Infection (Cellulitis)
Staph Infection (Cellulitis)
 What is it?
 Staph infection that involves skin is referred to as cellulitis, a bacterial infection
that typically begins in the skin but can infiltrate deeper layers of tissue.
 How is it transmitted?
 Cellulitis is transmitted by direct skin contact with an infected person, or by the
sharing of objects like infected clothing, towels, or sports equipment. It may
begin at a break in the skin, but an opening in the skin is not necessary for
infection to occur.
Staph Infection (Cellulitis)
 Signs and symptoms
 Staph cellulitis may begin as tender swollen warm red areas or sores. If allowed
to progress, red streaks may radiate from the initial site of infection.
 Treatment
 Antibiotics are used to treat staph infection. However, if the infection is not
treated early enough or the infection is resistant to the antibiotic used, the
infection may penetrate deeper and affect muscle tissue and require surgery to
clean the infection (Smith, 2005).
Prevention
 Do not allow a student to participate if he/she has any noticeable skin rash or
sores.
 Sterilize the mat before each session.
 Make sure that any cuts or breaks in the skin are covered.
 Require students to shower with soap and water immediately following
participation in a combative activity lesson.
 Require students to wash clothes used during a combative activity lesson and
to wear clean clothes to every combative activity session.
REFERENCES
 Adams, B.B. (2002). Tinea corporis gladiatorum. Journal of American Academy of
Dermatology, 47(2), 286-290.
 California State Board of Education. (2005). Physical Education Model Content
Standards for California Public Schools. Sacramento, CA: California State Board of
Education.
 Drake, L.A. (1996). Guidelines of care for superficial mycotic infections of the skin:
Tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea faciei, tinea manuum, and tinea pedis. Journal of
American Academy of Dermatology, 34(2), 282-286.
 Haines, C. (2005). Understanding impetigo – the basics. Retrieved June 10, 2005, from
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/8/1680_54521.htm
REFERENCES
 Marques, A.R., & Straus, S.E. (2003). Herpes simplex. In I.M. Freedberg (Ed.),
Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General
Medicine (pp. 2059-2070). New
York:McGraw Hill.
 Smith, M. (2005). Staph infection: Cellulitis. Retrieved June 10, 2005, from
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/100/105485.htm
 Sterling, J.C. (2002). Herpes simplex. In M.G. Lebwohl (Ed.), Treatment of Skin
Diseases (pp. 275-277). London: Mosby International