Minutemen Youth Wrestling

*Keep in Mind: Many times these increase in number since athletes are indoors*

1)Contact dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin that results from direct contact with certain substances, like soap, cosmetics, jewelry or weeds, including poison ivy or poison oak. The result is a red, itchy rash isn't contagious or life threatening, but it can be very uncomfortable. Successful treatment for contact dermatitis is primarily identifying what's causing the rash. If the offending agent is avoided, the rash usually resolves in two to four weeks. Preventing contact dermatitis means avoiding coming into contact with those substances such as poison ivy or harsh soaps that may cause it.
·If a person comes in contact with an infected substance, rinse the skin with water and use a mild soap.
· Wear cotton or plastic gloves when doing housework to avoid contact with cleaners or solutions.
· Apply a barrier cream or gel to the skin to provide a protective layer.
· When washing uniforms and towels, rinse well. ( Do not pack clothes too tightly in the washer)
 
 
2)Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that develops in the moist areas between the toes and sometimes on other areas of the foot. Athlete's foot is caused by a group of mold-like fungi called dermatophytes. It is contagious and can be contracted through human to human contact, objects (for example, a mat, rug, pool, etc.) to human contact, and animal to human contact. Symptoms include: itching, stinging and burning between the toes or soles of the feet, itchy blisters, and/or cracking and peeling of skin.  
A person is at higher risk if:
· Gender is male
· Frequently wear damp socks or tight fitting shoes
· Sharing mats or rugs with others who have a fungal infection
·Frequently visit public areas where infection can spread (locker     rooms, weight rooms)
·A weakened immune system
There are several means of treatments:
·Over-the-counter: anti-fungal lotion, powder, spray or ointment will usually treat all cases.
·Consult a physician if the over-the-counter products do not resolve the infection.
·Put the anti-fungal powder in the shoes, change to clean socks daily, and keep feet dry at all times.
 
 
3)Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane that lines the eyelid and part of the eye ball. The cause of pink eye is commonly a bacterial or viral infection, an allergic reaction, or, in newborns, a completely opened tear duct. It is extremely contagious and can affect a whole team within days.
Symptoms include:
· Redness in one or both eyes
· Itchiness in one or both eyes
·A gritty feeling in one or both eyes
· A discharge in one or both eyes that forms a crust during the night
· Tearing
·Sensitivity to light
Pink eye can be irritating, but is usually harmless to a person's sight and typically doesn't require extensive or emergency treatment. Like a common cold, an over-the-counter remedy can help to relieve some symptoms, but the virus just has to run its course.
Practicing good hygiene is the best way to control the spread of pink eye:
·Don't touch the eye with the hands.
·Wash hands thoroughly and frequently.
·Change towels and washcloths daily, don't share with others.
·Discard eye cosmetics.
·Don't share eye cosmetics or other personal eye-care items.
·If someone on the team has pink eye, the player should not be allowed to touch the equipment or participate in practice, in order to prevent spreading.
 
 
4)Jock itch is a fungal infection that affects the skin of the inner thighs, buttocks and genitals. Jock itch causes an itchy, red, and often ring-shaped rash in the warm, moist areas of the body, burning sensations in the affected area(s), and flaking or cracking skin in the groin area. Although often uncomfortable and bothersome, jock itch is not usually serious.
Means of Treatment:
·Keeping the groin area clean and dry
·Apply topical antifungal medications
·See your doctor if you have a rash on your skin that doesn't improve within two weeks.
 
5)Scabies is an itchy skin condition caused by tiny, eight-legged burrowing mites called Sarcoptes scabiei. The presence of the mite leads to intense itching in the area of its burrows. Scabies is contagious and can spread quickly through close physical contact in a family, contact sport, child care group, school class or nursing home. Because of the contagious nature of scabies, doctors often recommend treatment for entire families or contact groups to eliminate the mite.                                                                    
Scabies symptoms include: Itching, often severe and usually worse at night and thin, irregular burrow tracks made up of tiny blisters or bumps on the skin.
Scabies treatment involves eliminating the infestation: several creams and lotions are available; apply to the entire body, leaving on for at least eight hours.
 
 
6)Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects infants and children. It usually appears as red sores on the face, especially around a child's nose and mouth.
Impetigo is seldom serious, and usually clears on its' own in two to three weeks.                                                                                  
The following are signs and symptoms of impetigo:
·Red sores that quickly rupture, ooze for a few days and then form a yellowish-brown crust
·Itching
·Painless, fluid-filled blisters
·In the more serious form, painful fluid - or pus - filled sores that turn into deep ulcers
Impetigo can sometimes lead to complications; the physician may choose to treat impetigo with an antibiotic ointment or oral antibiotics. All athletes should keep all sores covered and wash hands regularly.
 
 
7)Staph Most healthy people probably have some Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which are simply called staph and can be on the skin, nose, or throat. Most of the time, the bacteria cause no problems or relatively minor skin infections. But staph infections can turn deadly if the bacteria burrow deeper into the body, invading the bloodstream, urinary tract, lungs and heart.
Staph infections can range from minor skin problems to food poisoning, fatal pneumonia, surgical wound infections and endocarditis, a life-threatening inflammation of the heart lining. If the bacteria spread deeper into the body, they can cause fatal infections in the bloodstream, bones, heart lining or lungs. The symptoms vary, depending on which part of your body is affected, but most infections are accompanied by fever, chills and sweats. Staph is extremely contagious and spreads quickly in close contact situations such as locker rooms and contact sports. Many staph infections no longer respond to common antibiotics. Today only 10% of staph infections respond to Penicillin, the first effective antibiotic against staph, which has now led to the use of stronger and more toxic antibiotics. Protecting the body from staph infections can seem exhausting, given how widespread the bacteria have become.
These common-sense precautions can help lower the risk:
·Wash  hands at all times
·Keep wounds covered
·Give high-risk foods the cold shoulder
·Use of feminine toiletry products should be used as directed and disposed of properly
·Keep personal items personal
·Get tested
 
8)Herpes Gladiatorum (HG), caused by Herpes Simplex Type-1 virus (HSV-1), has received attention due to the speed of which it can spread and the long term consequences an athlete may have, even after finishing his/her career. The spreading of this virus is strictly skin-to-skin with the outbreaks developing on the head, face and neck. Usually a primary outbreak is seen as a raised, rash which forms into groupings of 6-10 vesicles. Sore throat, fever, swollen cervical lymph nodes are typical signs with a first time outbreak. Reoccurrence usually involves a smaller area with less systemic signs and for a short duration.
Once an outbreak occurs on a team, removing the athlete from competition or play is mandatory to minimize its spread. After being on antiviral medication, and provided no further signs of infection, he/she can return to play.
Guidelines for HSV-1 treatment and prevention
First time outbreak:
·Seek medical attention and oral antiviral treatment to expedite its clearance.
·Regardless if treated, there should be no contact until all lesions are healed with well-adhered scabs. No new vesicle formation and no swollen lymph nodes near area are involved.
·Consider being placed on prophylactic oral antiviral medication for remainder of a season and each subsequent season.
 
Recurring Outbreaks:
1.Seek medical attention and oral antiviral treatment to expedite its clearance.
2.Consult physician on the amount of hours after oral antiviral medication and along with no swollen lymph nodes near area involved.
3.If not treated with antiviral medication, no contact until all lesions are healed with well-adhered scabs. No new vesicle formation and no swollen lymph nodes near the area involved.
4.Consider being placed on prophylactic oral antiviral medication for remainder of a season and each subsequent season.
Any individual exposed to the outbreak 3 days prior to its development, should be isolated for direct contact with other athletes for 8 days. Examine them daily for the potential outbreak.