#BJJ #MMA #STAPH and not getting it!!

Okay..I’ve written tips on preventing staph before, even including a link to the ”Top 10″ worst cases of Staph infection in MMA histroy (use the blog search function to find that)

…However seeing Ol’ Mark Hunt’s recent videos on Facebook about Staph…and running a Summer BJJ Camp for Newbies to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu…I figured I’d throw up another entry.

The unique thing about training Combat Sports is the close contact training partners have with one another. Regardless if you are working in the Muay Thai clench, or attempting to pass the guard, you and your training partners are literally entangled in each other.

As a result of this, skin infections can occur. While uncommon, they are not unheard of and it is important to protect yourself by knowing what to look for, and a few ‘’veteran’’ tips can greatly reduce your chances of ever catching something.

The two most common skin infections are Ringworm, and Staph.

Ringworm is a skin fungus that is contagious and spreads from contact. If someone has ringworm and places the infected area on a gym bag, the mats, or another training surface that you come in contact with, you run the risk of infection. Ringworm is just like athletes foot and jock itch. You will usually notice a circular area that itches and begins to lose hair, which if gone untreated will continue to grow in diameter. You cannot train with Ringworm, because of how contagious it is. If you notice a spot on your skin and are not sure if it can be ringworm, always ask your instructor! Ringworm can be treated with simple antibacterial topical cream.

Staph infection is a bit more serious than ringworm because if untreated the severity of the infection can grow into a life threatening situation. Due to the lack of knowledge about Staph, often people will let it go untreated until it starts to really become an issue. Staph has several phases in it’s development and the sooner you detect it, the easier it will be to treat it. Staph infection usually starts like a pimple that won’t pop, after a few days like that it will begin to look like a blister where the top has been rubbed off. Often people will start to develop a fever, and the area that is infected will become swollen and sensitive, red in color and sore. Often Staph infections enter the body from an open wound like a cut or a scratch (Don’t scratch those mosquito bites!) If you think you have a staph infection, it is important to get it looked at. Do not assume it will ‘’Clear up on its own”, as that usually leads to a more serious infection. If you are unsure if a pimple, or mosquito bite could possibly have progressed into a Staph infection, speak to your instructor or a physician.

Steps for Preventing Infection

1. Shower. I know this sounds like common sense, but showering as soon as you finish practice as possible is the key. Do not go get something to eat, sit on the couch, or go shopping until you’ve had a chance to wash the ‘’Gym Funk” off your skin.
2. No open cuts! Even if they are a simple mosquito bite, you need to cover them with athletic tape. Imagine if someone started to bleed and you had an open wound. That scary thought should be in your mind when it comes to any abrasion. Cover it with athletic tape during training and use disinfectant to clean the wound after practice.
3. Make sure you ‘’body wash’’ is antibacterial. Lots of people take showers with shower gel, some of which are nothing more than liquid perfume. There are many Anti-fungal soaps that include ingredients like Tea Tree Oil, use them!
4. Always wear a clean shirt while training, especially if grappling! A shirt is a protective layer between your skin and anyone you are training with. It keeps their sweat off of your body and decreases the exchange of body fluids.
5. Bring multiple T-shirts to practice! Once a shirt is soaked with sweat, change it for a fresh layer of protection. You aren’t wearing the shirt to keep your sweat off your partner, you are wearing it to keep theirs off of you!
6. Clean your gear daily! Have a package of baby wipes in your gym bag. These are handy and can be used to clean your boxing gloves, shin pads, headgear after a training session, in addition to giving your body a quick disinfectant rub down.
7. If he tells you it’s “Just a Mosquito bite”, find a new training partner. Chances are it could just be a Mosquito bite, however it is always better to be safe than sorry, especially with your own health.
8. Bring a towel to the gym. Use the towel to wipe yourself down, and keep it personal. Don’t share your towel with anyone else.
9. When using a public shower, ALWAYS where shower shoes. A simple pair of flip flop sandals will keep your feet from standing on someone else’s “Gym Funk” while you clean up after training.
10. Help keep the academy clean. While the gym is maintained by a cleaning crew, it is also your facility. Take pride in it, don’t let a dirty shirt hide under the ring, or an old set of hand wraps hang from the bags. Bring your equipment to the gym, and bring it home after!
11. Pay attention to your own body! In the gym everyone is part of a team. Don’t be selfish and ignore any signs of infection. With Staph, Ringworm and other ‘’Mat Funks” they can quickly spread to the entire class if you are not careful. If you notice a pimple on your leg, and you have never had a pimple on your leg before, or if a mosquito bite seems a bit too red, ask your instructor! Getting things checked out as soon as possible will get you back into training as fast as possible. Prevention is the best cure!

While most of these tips seem pretty practical, many people who train have never actually thought about them in relationship to preventing skin infection. There is nothing to be embarrassed about if you do become a victim of Staph or Ringworm, however it is important to get it treated as quickly as possible and to stop training until the symptoms disappear.