Had a son with a skin rash that was not impetigo OR ringworm. Doc prescribed Keflex and to cover it. Whatever it was is going away and all within a few days. Helps with acne as well.

Nigel did you stay at a Holiday Inn?

My feelings are that "the herps" are a much more dangerous problem than ringworm.

While I'm at it, why has ringworm become such a problem in the last several years? I never recall ringworm in the 70's!

The addition of climate controlled wrestling rooms.

I think there has been a decline in making wrestlers shower at school immediately after practice. When i was coaching hs ten years ago, I was told that i had to make sure everyone showered immediately after practice.

For those who do skin checks - what do you do with a kid who has a cold sore on his/her lip? This situation came up last year - my son was wrestling a kid at districts with a "lesion" on his lip. I didn't say anything but if it was herpes simplex virus type 1 - that is something that once you get it you'll have it the rest of your life. At least with ringworm you can get rid of it!

Wrestlingmom is right on the money! I believe the presence of Herpes has much more potential for damage than ringworm does!

Saturday night, I had my first situation...but I bet it happens more than we admit or know.

A parent ask me if there son should wrestle novice the next day, Sunday.

The sister had the chicken pox - diagnosed earlier in the week. However, the son showed no visible symptoms.

I discussed her opinion - what if one of her son's competitors was in the same situation?

I later recommended that he not wrestle...better respectful and safe, than sorry to her wrestling community.

Between this forum and that conversation, I'm now worrying about how many out there are asking/advizing/acting responsibly with the issues of the other communicable diseases you've mentioned, and poor hygene practice.