Skin Hygiene for Athletes

Maintaining Skin Hygiene for Athletes

How to protect yourself and your fellow training partners

With any contact sport their is risk of skin infections. The key to avoiding these is being aware and ensuring you have good personal hygiene habits. We'll go through some recommendations to help keep you safe. It doesn't matter if you're doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), Muay Thai, Boxing, or Wrestling, these simple suggestions will make your training safer and more enjoyable.

Avoid training when you have an infection:

This is perhaps the most important point. Please avoid coming on the mat while or if you suspect you have any skin infections. It is a common misconception to assume you are no longer infectious because you have started to take treatment for X days - you are risking infecting others as long as you have red marks on your skin. Please take the appropriate time off, and don't rush coming back. Otherwise the cycle of skin infection never ends.

Showering:

It is essential to shower immediately after each wrestling session (before your sweat dries off on your skin), ensuring you use an antibacterial soap or cleanser. We have been advised that Fullguard is more effective than regular soaps for contact sport athletes. Thoroughly clean all areas of your body, paying special attention to areas that are prone to sweating or friction.

Cleaning Equipment:

Please remember to sanitize your wrestling gear and equipment regularly. This includes your wrestling shoes, kneepads, gloves, Gi's, and any other items that come into contact with your skin or the mat. Use a disinfectant spray or wipes to clean the bottom of your feet or shoes before every session when you step onto the mat.

Laundering Clothing:

Make it a habit to wash your training gear shortly after each practice session. Wash your wrestling shoes regularely. We have been advised that adding Canesten Antifungal Laundry to your washing helps. 

Skin Check:

Perform a self-skin check regularly to identify any signs of skin infections or irritations. Look out for redness, swelling, itching, rashes, or any other unusual skin conditions. If you notice anything suspicious, please report it to the coaching staff at your gym and seek medical help.

Proper Wound Care:

If you have any open cuts, scrapes, or mat burns, ensure they are cleaned and covered with a sterile bandage before engaging in any wrestling activities. Be vigilant about keeping wounds clean and promptly seek medical attention for proper treatment if necessary.

Education and Awareness:

Stay informed about common skin infections, their symptoms, and preventive measures. Take advantage of educational resources and discussions provided by the coaching staff or medical professionals to enhance your knowledge about skin hygiene. Don't be afraid to ask if you're not sure. Your coaches are there to help and it's better to be safe than sorry.

Summary:

By being more be more vigilant when training and adhering to these guidelines, we can collectively minimize the risk of spreading skin infections within our community. It is crucial that each and every one of us takes responsibility for our own health and the well-being of our fellow training partners and competitors.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding skin hygiene or need further information, please don't hesitate to reach out to the coaching staff at your gym or talk to a medical expert. Let us work together to maintain a safe and healthy wrestling environment.

Thank you for your attention and commitment to maintaining excellent skin hygiene.

  You can also check out the Top 10 rules for Hygiene in the Martial Arts Gym

Kings Academy of Martial Arts is the premier Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy Servicing Great Western Sydney with classes in BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), Muay Thai, Boxing, Wrestling and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)