Cutaneous Infections in Wrestlers

Abstract

Context:Cutaneous infections are common in wrestlers. Although many are simply a nuisance in the everyday population, they can be problematic to wrestlers because such infections may result in disqualification from practice or competition. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are therefore important.Evidence Acquisition:Medline and PubMed databases, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and UpToDate were searched through 2012 with the following keywords in various combinations: skin infections, cutaneous infections, wrestlers, athletes, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, skin and soft tissue infections, tinea corporis, tinea capitis, herpes simplex, varicella zoster, molluscum contagiosum, verruca vulgaris, warts, scabies, and pediculosis. Relevant articles found in the primary search, and selected references from those articles were reviewed for pertinent clinical information.Results:The most commonly reported cutaneous infections in wrestlers are herpes simplex virus infections (herpes gladiatorum), bacterial skin and soft tissue infections, and dermatophyte infections (tinea gladiatorum). The clinical appearance of these infections can be different in wrestlers than in the community at large.Conclusion:For most cutaneous infections, diagnosis and management options in wrestlers are similar to those in the community at large. With atypical presentations, testing methods are recommended to confirm the diagnosis of herpes gladiatorum and tinea gladiatorum. There is evidence to support the use of prophylactic medications to prevent recurrence of herpes simplex virus and reduce the incidence of dermatophyte infections in wrestlers.

Infectious Diseases Associated With Organized Sports and Outbreak Control

“…2 -9 In addition, certain organized sports carry specific additional risks; for example, wrestlers practicing in close quarters are especially vulnerable to skin infections. 10,11 Athletes should be taught proper personal hygiene (eg, hand-washing, showering, and proper laundering of uniforms and practice clothing on a daily or regular basis). 12 -15 Avoidance of sharing of drinking vessels (water bottles, ladles, or cups), mouth guards, towels, braces, batting helmets, personal protective equipment, bars of soap, bath sponges, razors or electric hair shavers, and callus trimmers is also important in reducing infectious risk.…”

Epidemiology of trichophytosis

“…При проведении эпидемиологического исследования [15] было установлено, что рост заболеваемости был связан с распространением инфекции у подростков, посещавших секции спортивной борьбы. Ранее в литературе [16][17][18] были описаны случаи tinea corporis gladiatorum у спортсменов-борцов.…”

Beyond Folliculitis: Recognizing Herpes Gladiatorum in Adolescent Athletes

“…Following inoculation, there is a 4-to 11-day incubation period followed by a prodrome of hyperesthesia and paresthesia without systemic signs. 3,5,6 A papulovesicular rash in clusters develops within 2 days. Papules may coalesce to form plaques with surrounding erythema and edema.…”

“…In patients with suspected herpes gladiatorum, physical examination must include inspection of the oral mucosa for gingivostomatitis and ophthalmologic examination for primary ocular herpes. 5 Herpetic keratitis often presents as an acute, follicular conjunctivitis, and can lead to scarring and vision loss. On skin examination, herpetic lesions may be seen in the beard distribution.…”