Infectious Dermatoses in Sport: A Review of Diagnosis, Management, and Return-to-Play Recommendations

Abstract

Infectious dermatoses represent a significant source of morbidity and missed athletic participation among athletes. Close quarters and skin trauma from contact sports can lead to outbreaks among teams and athletic staff. The National Collegiate Athletic Association and National Federation of State High School Associations have published guidance with recommended management and return-to-play criteria for common fungal, bacterial, viral, and parasitic rashes. In addition to rapidly diagnosing and treating infectious dermatoses, team physicians should counsel athletes and athletic staff on proper equipment care and personal hygiene to reduce infection transmission. Clinicians should always consult sport and athlete governing bodies for sport-specific recommendations.

Prevalence of Common Viral Skin Infections in Beach Volleyball Athletes

“…There is a lack of relevant literature which concerns the research of beach volleyball athletes, so when discussing rates of viral skin infections, the comparison between studies is difficult. In other studies, the most common sports infections that have been reported were fungal, bacterial, contact dermatitis and viral infections [1,14]. In our study, we researched the likelihood of viral skin infections being related to age, gender, the season of appearance, the location of the lesion, the number of years of experience, the weekly training schedule, and the average hours of daily training.…”

Common Sports Infectious Disease

“…Treatment of bacterial soft-tissue infections secondary to Streptococcus and Staphylococcus involves a 5-to-10-day course of beta lactam antibiotics such as cephalexin and a regimen targeting possible MRSA infection (trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole or clindamycin) [54]. Return to play can be considered following 72 hours of antibiotic therapy in the absence of new skin lesions and active drainage [42].…”

“…Treatment for HSV includes antivirals such as famciclovir or valacyclovir, which have been noted to expedite the clinical clearance of cutaneous outbreaks of HG [5]. Return to sport following an HSV outbreak is generally dictated by the resolution of the skin lesions following the completion of a minimum 5-day antiviral regimen [42]. In high-risk athletes, prophylactic valacyclovir has been reported to prevent outbreaks of primary HG in contact athletes [6].…”

An Unusual Case of Arm Pain in a Young Soccer Player: Herpes Zoster in the Pediatric Athlete

“…To be considered “noncontagious,” all lesions must be scabbed over with no oozing or discharge with no new lesions occurring in the preceding 72 hours. Covering infectious lesions is not acceptable (26,27).…”