All of these skin diseases MAY NOT BE COVERED FOR COMPETTION! Report anything suspicious to your athletic trainer or physician ASAP so you can stay competitive!
Herpetic lesion (aka herpes simplex, herpes zoster, herpes gladiatorium, cold sore/fever blister) is a viral infection transmitted by direct contact and may appear ANYWHERE ON THE BODY.
Signs and Symptoms:
Lesion: Numerous clustered vesicles (blisters) filled with clear fluid on a reddened background. The vesicles continue to develop for 7-10 days and eventually become dry, crusted lesions. Recurrent outbreaks are sometimes preceded by irritability, headache, and tingling, burning and/or itching of the skin at the site of recurrence. Other symptoms may mimic a mild viral illness with fever, joint aches and pains, sore throat, and inflammation of the eyes.
Return to play guidelines:
Tinea aka Ringworm is a fungal infection that can be seen anywhere but is most commonly found on the head(tinea capitis) or upper body (tinea corporis) i.e. neck, trunk, and arms.
Signs and Symptoms:
Lesion: Round, reddened, scaly plaque with raised borders. Though normally circular in shape, the lesion may present with a more irregularly shaped border in athletes.
Return to play guidelines:
Molluscum Contagiosum is a viral infection transmitted by skin-toskin contact. Signs and Symptoms: Lesion: flesh-colored to lightpink pearly papules with a dent or depression in the middle. Return to play guidelines: Lesions must be curetted (scraped out) by a physician at least 24 hours prior and subsequently covered for competition. Impetigo Impetigo is a superficial bacterial infection most commonly found on the face, neck, and upper extremities. It is highly contagious and MAY NOT be covered for competition.
Signs and Symptoms:
Lesion: begins as a thin-walled vesicle that ruptures to expose a raw surface covered in a yellowish-brown or honey-colored crust. In the early stages it may also present as superficial blisters that rupture easily.
Return to play guidelines:
Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles that appears in areas of high friction and perspiration and is caused by a bacteria (most commonly Staphylococcus aureus). Furuncles (boils) and carbuncles (larger boils) are complications of this infection. Active infections MAY NOT be covered for competition.
Signs and Symptoms:
Folliculitis: red or white bumps at the base of the hair follicles, especially in areas that have been shaved, taped, or abraded. Furuncle lesion: tender, red, nodular swelling. Carbuncle lesion: when multiple furuncles join, a mass of pus filled tissue develops with localized redness and swelling. A fever may also be present.
Return to play guidelines:
MRSA aka Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus is a severe bacterial infection that common antibiotics cannot treat. MRSA lesions often look like spider bites. This highly contagious and potentially dangerous infection MAY NOT be covered for competition.
Signs and Symptoms:
Lesion: Initially is very similar to folliculitis/furuncle/carbuncle infections. Develops quickly from small pustules into larger pustules or abscesses with swelling, redness, and possibly black markings. Other symptoms may include systemic infection symptoms such as fever, fatigue, etc.
Return to play guidelines:
Perform a daily full-body skin check and report any suspicious lesions to your athletic trainer or physician as soon as it appears!
The sooner you report it, the sooner you get treatment and the sooner you return to play!