Most of us don't need this reminder, but for those that may not be familiar with ringworm, I'll post a few things we've seen. We don't know if it is something that was brought in by our open room night, or if we brought it back from tourneys, but we had a few kids that got ringworm. It has been treated and is completely under control.

PLEASE do regular skinchecks with your kids. You'll find ringworm in places you may not easily see it. Armpits, back of legs, check 'em over good. The whole wrestling community has to do their part to keep from spreading that stuff. One tourney, or one practice, isn't worth giving that stuff to someone else, who might give it to someone else, etc. etc.

We also mop our mats with the good mat cleaner EVERY night. We tell the kids to shower as SOON as they get in the door, and to use Head and Shoulders, or some sort of antifungal shampoo to wash their whole body. Not lecturing anyone, just a reminder.

If anyone has anything to add to this, as far as tips or experiences, please do so.

Thanks
Doug

When my son was wrestling we used Kennedy Skin Creme. It is an anti-bacterial that you can put on before practice/match.

http://www.kennedyindustries.com/Shop/KS-Skin-Creme

Tinea Corporis (ringworm of the body) is often overlooked especially with the trend toward remote weigh-ins. One particular tournament this year that offered remotes had three different kids ousted by the refs for obvious ringworm. Are we just not educating our wrestlers & parents?

In general ringworm responds well to topical treatment. Topical antifungals are applied to the lesion twice a day for at least 3 weeks. The lesion usually resolves within 2 weeks, but therapy should be continued for another week to ensure the fungus is completely eradicated. The most commonly used antifungal creams are Clotrimazole, Ketoconazole, Miconazole, Terbinafine and Tolnaftate. All too often the ringworm fades "looks a little better & treatment stops prematurely. Eradication is KEY! Griseofulvin (oral anti-fungal can also be used to manage ringworm although quite a bit more costly.

Skin checks should be done with each weigh in session no less than once a week to prevent the spread!

Just my .02.

How long after you start treatment are you allowed to wrestle again and do they allow it to be covered up?

The Truth About Ring Worm

Ring Worm: A skin disease producing round scaly patches on the skin, caused by a fungus.

Communicable diseases, skin diseases, in particular, are a threat to wrestlers because of constant skin-to-skin contact and repeated minor abrasions. Skin diseases can sweep through a team unless the wrestlers are monitored and treated effectively. Preventative measures are of primary importance and require the cooperation of each wrestler, and very close observation of each coach. Skin diseases can not only hinder a wrestler but also cause him to be disqualified from competition.

Coaches must also watch very closely for signs of ringworm among their athletes. The rules require or recommend that all competitors be checked by medical personnel for communicable diseases before competition, but the fungus may have already spread among the athletes while conducting practice. Athletes may not be aware of the skin condition since the infected area does not cause pain or illness, but only slight redness, itching and scaling. It therefore does not motivate the wrestler to stay off the mat. The affected area may also not be visible to the athlete. Areas such as the back of neck/hairline, or back often go unnoticed. The fungus infection is very contagious and the athlete should seek medical treatment immediately, and stay of the mat until every bit of the infection has cleared.

Treatment may include oral medication and/or anti-fungal cream. Because of the nature of the sport, the usual method of treatment is not effective because of the excessive sweating. The athlete MUST BE COMPULSIVE in the treatment in order for it to be effective. Treatment takes 3-4 weeks.

Prevention of skin diseases includes showering after every practice. Wrestling uniforms and practice clothing should be laundered after each use, and mats should be cleaned with a disinfectant before each practice. However, most disease transmission occurs through skin-to-skin contact.

Length of Illness: The length of illness is dependent on the quickness with which you seek medical help, the type of ringworm which you have and the organism's sensitivity to treatment. The time can be days to weeks. (On occasion it can be months). also some individuals have a strong tendency to become easily re-infected.

Mat Maintenance: Wrestling mats must be washed every day prior to practice with a sodium hypochlorite solution (i.e. bleach). At tournaments the mats should be washed at the break between each session.

The Bottom Line
If we all do our part we can keep the disease from spreading and have a happy ring worm free wrestling year.

Author: Compliments of the British Columbia Wrestling Association and MaryAnn DeCorby.
Topic on Amateur wrestler.com

Please keep an eye on your kids. IF they should get ringworm on their head, they are required to be on an oral medication for 6 WEEKS with NO wrestling. That would be disheartening for someone to be kept from competing in Subs, Districts and State for something that can be caught from a skin check by the parents. It is not the responsibility of a referee to check our kids, it's OURS as parents. Check them over...no matter the age.

It is surprising, and disheartening, as an official to see the efforts that some go to get by us in skin checks. "Dry skin," "mat burn," "old," and sometimes trying to cover it up with a band aid. And coaches who will argue with you that its nothing...when all you have to do is go to a clinic and get a note...if a doctor says you are good to go, that's good enough but why do I have to make a medical decision on anything?