As part of an ongoing effort to reduce the incidence of skin diseases among athletes at all levels, the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), Dallas, has released a position statement on Preventing Skin Diseases in Athletics.

The statement is published in the July 2010 issue of the Journal of Athletic Training, NATA's scientific publication, and includes comprehensive recommendations for avoiding, identifying, and treating fungal, viral, and bacterial skin infections, some of which are life-threatening. Click here for an electronic version of the complete statement.

A recent review of infectious disease outbreaks reported that skin diseases accounted for more than half (56%) of all infectious diseases in competitive sports from 1922 through 2005. Close quarters that promote skin-to-skin and bodily secretion contact make athletes particularly vulnerable to contracting skin diseases—some of which (eg, MRSA) can be life-threatening. Understanding basic preventive measures, identifying clinical features, and swift management of skin diseases is essential in preventing the spread of common and serious skin infections.

Guidelines for Skin Disease Prevention
"The burden of skin diseases extends far beyond the financial toll for medical services and lost productivity," said Steven M. Zinder, PhD, ATC, assistant professor of exercise and sport science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and chair of the position statement writing group. "We should concentrate our efforts on preventing these diseases rather than expending our resources attempting to treat them."

The recommendations include the following insights:

1) Institutions must provide adequate financial and human resources to implement a comprehensive infectious disease control policy.

2) Maintenance of clean facilities is paramount in limiting the spread of infectious diseases.

3) Adequate personal hygiene including frequent hand washing and showering after every sport activity may be one of the biggest factors in reducing the spread of infectious diseases.

4) Athletes and coaches must be educated about, and encouraged to follow, good overall hygiene practices.

5) Athletes must be discouraged from sharing towels, athletic gear, water bottles, disposable razors, and hair clippers.

6) All clothing and equipment should be laundered and/or disinfected on a daily basis.

7) Athletes should be encouraged to complete daily skin surveillance and report any suspicious lesions for treatment.

Education: The first-line defense against skin diseases
"It is necessary to have well-informed personnel and athletes in order to promote our best line of defense against skin infection outbreaks," adds Jack Foley, ATC, assistant athletic director and director of sports medicine, Lehigh University, and a part of the statement writing group. "Putting a strategic plan in place, and using a team approach with the latest clinical knowledge available to us, is the absolute best insurance against skin infections in athletics."

Click here for more information.

[Source: NATA]

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