HEALTH TIPS 

(And other miscellaneous info)

FOR WRESTLERS

ATHLETES FOOT - BLEEDING - HEAT RASH - HYGIENE - IMPETIGO - INGROWN TOE NAIL - INJURY PREVENTION - JOCK ITCH -  RINGWORM - STAPH - STRENGTH CONDITIONING  

ATHLETES FOOT

Athlete's foot is also caused by a fungus. Athlete's foot affects the palms or soles of the feet and the areas between the toes. Athlete's foot can anyone whose feet tend to be damp or sweaty.  The signs and symptoms of athlete's foot include itching, burning, redness, and stinging on the soles of your feet. The skin may flake, peel, or crack.

Athlete's foot is contagious. The fungi that cause athlete's foot thrive in warm, moist environments, such as showers, or sweaty shoes. It's often spread in damp areas, such as public showers. To prevent getting athlete's foot, dry your feet -- and the spaces between your toes -- thoroughly after showering with a clean towel. (Avoid sharing towels because this can spread the infection.)

To keep your feet as dry as possible, try to avoid wearing the same shoes or sneakers all the time, and don't wear socks made of polyester, nylon, or other synthetic materials. Cotton or wool socks are a better bet. If possible, choose sneakers that are well-ventilated -- some sneakers contain small ventilation holes that help to keep your feet dry.

Wrestling shoes let your wrestling shoes dry well after practice. If you put them in your locker, loosen the laces and place the shoes on the top of other items so they can air dry.  (A little Febreeze will help the odor, but will not prevent fungi growth). If you are diagnosed with athletes foot, then take your shoes home and wash them. You can hand wash wrestling shoes with warm water and Woolite. A little bleach (no more than 1/4 cup bleach to a gallon of water) will kill germs. Remember, If you use too much bleach, it will discolor your shoes.!

If you have athlete's foot, there are over-the-counter antifungal creams and sprays that may solve the problem. Sometimes, a doctor may need to prescribe a stronger antifungal cream, spray, or pill that's taken orally.

BLEEDING

Wrestlers often get cuts and scratches during practice or a match. Most of these are minor, but they cannot wrestle if they are bleeding because of the risk of blood borne pathogens such as hepatitis and HIV. One fast cure is a styptic pencil. This is a white "pencil" that you can find with the shaving supplies in most drugstores. You can moisten the tip, then touch the pencil to the cut and it stops the bleeding.  It's a good idea for each wrestler to have his own styptic pencil in his bag. If they share styptic pencils with other guys, they run the risk of sharing blood-borne pathogens.

Nosebleeds also often occur. To stop your nosebleed: * Use tissues or a damp cloth to catch the blood.  *  Sit or stand so your head is above your heart.  * Tilt your head forward and pinch your nostrils together just below the bony center part of your nose.  * Applying pressure helps stop the blood flow and the nosebleed will usually stop with 10 full minutes of steady pressure -- don't keep checking to see if the bleeding has stopped. * Apply a cold compress, such as ice wrapped in a cloth or paper towel, to the area around the nose.

If you get a nosebleed, don't blow your nose. Doing so can cause additional nosebleeds. Also, don't tilt your head back. This common practice will cause blood to run into your throat. If you swallow the blood, you might vomit.

Some OTC nose sprays will help shrink the blood vessels and stop the bleeding faster. Ask your pharmacist what is the best spray to buy. Hemorrhoid gel also works! If a wrestler often gets nosebleeds, it's a good idea for him to have his own nose spray in his bag.

HYGIENE

Take a shower! This is the best advice for any wrestler or athlete! Always take a shower as soon as you can after practice or a match. Coach recommends an anti-bacterial soap, such as Dial.  Always dry off thoroughly.

Laundry tip -- Do not put your sweaty clothes in the middle of the laundry basket and forget them! They can cause mold and mildew on your other clothes. Either wash them, or put them where they can dry out until you are ready to wash them!

IMPETIGO

Impetigo is an infection of the skin.  It starts as a reddened area that becomes a pus-filled blister.  The blisters easily break and form thick brownish scabs.  Sores are usually on the face, hands, and legs, but can appear anywhere on the body.  It may look like acne at first, but will spread and get worse. Acne medication will not help it.

You can get impetigo from other people who have it. Wrestlers can also get impetigo by scratching insect bites or when they get scratched during practice or during a match. When they scratch and break the skin, the impetigo bacteria can infect the skin.  The bacteria may be found under our fingernails.

Impetigo usually will not go away by itself. It should be treated with a prescription antibiotic. 

INGROWN TOENAIL

An ingrown toenail is when your toenail grows into the skin of your toe. The sides of the nail curl down and dig into your skin. If you trim your toenails too short, or taper the corners, particularly on the sides of your big toes, you may set the stage for an ingrown toenail. An ingrown toenail may also happen if you wear shoes that are too tight or too short. Any of your toenails can get ingrown, but it’s most likely with your big toes. 

When you first have an ingrown toenail, it may be hard, swollen and tender. Later, it may get red and infected, and feel very sore. You may see pus drain from it. Finally, your skin may start to grow over the ingrown toenail. 

To treat an infected ingrown toenail, soak your foot in warm, soapy water or warm water with Epsom salts several times each day. You may need to gently lift the edge of the ingrown toenail from its embedded position. You can purchase "Dr Scholls Ingrown Toenail bandages" which have a hard ridge that separates the skin from the toenail. (These are expensive). It may also help to use an over-the-counter antibiotic product, such as Walgreens Mercuroclear which has an antiseptic and analgesic (pain reliever).

INJURY PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

The coaches have specific exercise programs for injury prevention with wrestlers. The neck, shoulder, and back are places at highest risk, but other areas of the body are at risk as well. The best injury prevention is not only proper warm-up and conditioning during the season, but also strength training post-season to prepare the wrestler for next year.

Remember, sports are not just about wellness and fitness; it’s performance. There will be injuries. We have excellent trainers at all our matches and tournaments (Thanks Mrs. Varner!) In addition to any information the trainer and/or your doctor provides, here’s some basic information:

Generally, the acronym "RICE" applies to acute injury:

* Rest

* Inflammation management

* Compression on a joint that is swelling

* Elevation of the injured part.

Heat is not a good choice.

Ice reduces inflammation, and anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxin) are your friends!

Rest and sensible return to activity are important as well.

Ignore proper healing and arthritis becomes your companion.

JOCK ITCH

Jock itch is another fungal infection. It can affect anyone who sweats a lot. The fungi that cause jock itch thrive in warm, moist environments, especially areas like the insides of the thighs. The signs and symptoms of jock itch include itching and redness in the inner thigh area. The skin may flake, peel, or crack. 

To prevent getting jock itch, bathe thoroughly after practice or wrestling. Dry your genital area and your inner thighs thoroughly with a clean towel after showering. (Avoid sharing towels because this can spread the infection.) If you wear an athletic supporter, make sure that you wash it often. It may help to rub cornstarch or other drying powders on the area a few times a day. 

A doctor can often diagnose jock itch simply by examining the affected area. If you have jock itch, there are over-the-counter antifungal creams and sprays that may solve the problem. Sometimes, a doctor may need to prescribe a stronger antifungal cream, spray, or pill that's taken orally.

It is also possible to get a "heat rash." This is different from jock itch because it is just an irritation. It is not caused by a fungus. In addition to keeping the area dry, it may help to dry the area even more by blowing a cool hairdryer on the area after showering. Ointments such as A&D ointment may help.

RINGWORM 

Ringworm is a fungal infection. Wrestlers are most likely to get it on the skin or  the scalp. You get ringworm from other people who have ringworm or by wrestling on contaminated mats. You can also get it from animals, or even from the soil. It is very common. Because it is very contagious, you may not be allowed to wrestle if you have ringworm. 

Ringworm of the skin starts as a red, scaly patch or bump. Over time, it may begin to look like a ring or a series of rings with raised bumpy borders around a clear center. This ring pattern gave ringworm its name, but not every person who's infected develops the rings.  Ringworm of the scalp may start as a small sore that resembles a pimple before becoming patchy, flaky, or scaly. It may cause some hair to fall out or break into stubbles, and there may be a swollen, tender, inflamed area at the site of the infection.

If you have discover a red, patchy area that you think may be ringworm, call your doctor. It is easy to diagnose and treat with either over-the-counter (OTC) drugs or a prescription drug. If you have ringworm that is being treated by the doctor, get a doctor's excuse that says it is not contagious if it is covered (by bandage/tape, etc.).

STAPH

The following information on staph infections has been taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web site- link here

What is Staphylococcus aureus (staph)?

Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as "staph," are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 25% to 30% of the population is colonized (when bacteria are present, but not causing an infection) in the nose with staph bacteria. Sometimes, staph can cause an infection. Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States. Most of these skin infections are minor (such as pimples and boils) and can be treated without antibiotics (also known as antimicrobials or antibacterials). However, staph bacteria also can cause serious infections (such as surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia).

Some staph bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. MRSA is a type of staph that is resistant to antibiotics called beta-lactams. Beta-lactam antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. While 25% to 30% of the population is colonized with staph, approximately 1% is colonized with MRSA.

Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have weakened immune systems. These healthcare-associated staph infections include surgical wound infections, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia.

Staph and MRSA can also cause illness in persons outside of hospitals and healthcare facilities. MRSA infections that are acquired by persons who have not been recently (within the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure (such as dialysis, surgery, catheters) are know as CA-MRSA infections. Staph or MRSA infections in the community are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils, and occur in otherwise healthy people.

Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infection in the United States and are a common cause of pneumonia, surgical wound infections, and bloodstream infections. The majority of MRSA infections occur among patients in hospitals or other healthcare settings; however, it is becoming more common in the community setting. Data from a prospective study in 2003, suggests that 12% of clinical MRSA infections are community-associated, but this varies by geographic region and population.
 

Staph bacteria, including MRSA, can cause skin infections that may look like a pimple or boil and can be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or surgical wound infections.

CDC has investigated clusters of CA-MRSA skin infections among athletes, military recruits, children, Pacific Islanders, Alaskan Natives, Native Americans, men who have sex with men, and prisoners.
Factors that have been associated with the spread of MRSA skin infections include: close skin-to-skin contact, openings in the skin such as cuts or abrasions, contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living conditions, and poor hygiene.

Practice good hygiene:

1. Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
3. Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
4. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.

People with weakened immune systems, which include some patients with HIV infection, may be at risk for more severe illness if they get infected with MRSA. People with HIV should follow the same prevention measures as those without HIV to prevent staph infections, including practice good hygiene, cover wounds (e.g., cuts or abrasions) with clean dry bandages, avoid sharing personal items such as towels and razors, and contact their doctor if they think they have an infection.

In the outbreaks of MRSA, the environment has not played a significant role in the transmission of MRSA. MRSA is transmitted most frequently by direct skin-to-skin contact. You can protect yourself from infections by practicing good hygiene (e.g., keeping your hands clean by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub and showering after working out); covering any open skin area such as abrasions or cuts with a clean dry bandage; avoiding sharing personal items such as towels or razors; using a barrier (e.g., clothing or a towel) between your skin and shared equipment; and wiping surfaces of equipment before and after use.

See your healthcare provider.

Yes. Most staph and MRSA infections are treatable with antibiotics. If you are given an antibiotic, take all of the doses, even if the infection is getting better, unless your doctor tells you to stop taking it. Do not share antibiotics with other people or save unfinished antibiotics to use at another time.

However, many staph skin infections may be treated by draining the abscess or boil and may not require antibiotics. Drainage of skin boils or abscesses should only be done by a healthcare provider.

If after visiting your healthcare provider the infection is not getting better after a few days, contact them again. If other people you know or live with get the same infection tell them to go to their healthcare provider.

Yes. It is possible to have a staph or MRSA skin infection come back (recur) after it is cured. To prevent this from happening, follow your healthcare provider’s directions while you have the infection, and follow the prevention steps after the infection is gone.

You can prevent spreading staph or MRSA skin infections to others by following these steps:

1. Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered with clean, dry bandages. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions on proper care of the wound. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph and MRSA, so keeping the infection covered will help prevent the spread to others. Bandages or tape can be discarded with the regular trash.
2. Clean your hands. You, your family, and others in close contact should wash their hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after changing the bandage or touching the infected wound.
3. Do not share personal items. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms that may have had contact with the infected wound or bandage. Wash sheets, towels, and clothes that become soiled with water and laundry detergent. Drying clothes in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying, also helps kill bacteria in clothes.
4. Talk to your doctor. Tell any healthcare providers who treat you that you have or had a staph or MRSA skin infection.

If you know someone that has a staph or MRSA infection you should follow the prevention steps.

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING TRAINING

If you wonder why the coaches work these boys so hard, it is not only to make them the best wrestlers possible. It is also to keep them strong, healthy, and prevent injury. Here’s a few pointers from a physical therapist. These are things that may help wrestlers stay in condition over the holidays when there is no practice at school.

The wrestler’s energy needs are anaerobic and explosive, and aggressive weight training is a solid means to that end. Don't think that 3 mile runs are sufficient training for this sport.

* Wrestlers should warm up with running, jump rope, etc for 5 minutes;

* then grab a few dumbbells and lift for 3 minutes straight without stopping;

* then do pushups for 3 minutes without stopping;

* repeat with sit-ups or other resistance exercises, without breaks in between, for at least a half hour.

Be warned – the first few times you do this, you will probably puke, but that is conditioning for this sport.......