Athletes Should Take Precautions to Avoid These Common Athletic Diseases and Infections

Athletes spend a lot of time sweating, showering and coming in contact with other athletes while they practice and play their sport. In close quarters with one another, many athletes are susceptible to diseases and infections. These are the top three diseases and infections that athletes should take precautions to avoid.

Athlete’s Foot and Other Fungi

Athlete’s foot and toenail fungus disproportionally affect athletes because athletes provide great growing conditions for fungi. Athletes commonly wear tight socks while sweating and wearing the same sports shoes that also harbor sweat and help to grow bacteria. Showering in the same stalls without wearing proper footwear (flip-flops or shower sandals) helps bacteria spread from one athlete to another. Fungal infections typically appear as hard brittle nails with yellowed or brown discoloration and strange white pitted areas on the nail [according to Healthline].

What can you do about athlete’s foot and nail fungus? Wear proper shower footwear when showering in a common shower. Change your socks frequently and never wear the same pair twice. Make sure that your shoes can air out and consider shoe deodorizer spray that can help to kill lingering bacteria. If you can, have another pair of sports shoes so you can alternate (perhaps a pair for practice and a pair for games?).

Another important tip is to keep your feet clean by washing them daily and checking to make sure that your toenails are clipped. When toenails are too long and rub up against your shoe, they can crack and chip. Cracked and chipped toenails are invitations to bacteria and fungi.

MRSA

MRSA, medically known as Methicillin-Resistant Staph Aureus, is a skin condition where pus-filled spots similar to spider bites or pimples pop up. Angry red bumps tend to appear on the face, shoulders, neck and chest. This virus is easily spread in athletes who either play in contact sports such as basketball, rugby or wrestling, or those who share athletic equipment or shower stalls.

The best way to avoid MRSA as an athlete is to make sure that all of your [personal hygiene products are separated from others and kept clean according to OrthoBullets]. Make sure you keep your razors, makeup, soap, clothes, towels and combs away from others. If you do develop MRSA or if another player develops MRSA, it is necessary to keep the area completely covered so that it does not spread to other players. Avoiding athletic games and practices until the infection has cleared is advisable.

Herpes Simplex Virus

The herpes simplex virus is a virus that infects athletes because it is highly contagious and is spread through skin-on-skin contact. For example, wrestlers who spend most of their practice time and match time on top of one another, commonly catch and spread herpes simplex virus. Herpes simplex virus type 1 occurs with sores on the face, most commonly around the mouth. Herpes simplex virus type 2 occurs around the genitals. Both types appear with sores that resemble cold sores and small whiteheads or pimples.

Unfortunately, not much can be done to prevent the virus. The best option is to make sure that any player who develops herpes does not play in a contact sport until cleared of the infection. To clear the skin infection, dermatologists can[prescribe “oral antiviral medications” according to the American Academy of Dermatology].

Whether you work as a professional athlete or enjoy playing sports in your free time, these diseases and infections can pop up and temper your fun. Take the necessary precautions for your sport to avoid these common athletic diseases and infections. You can’t stop all diseases and infections when participating in athletics, but with the proper preventive measures you can prevent many of them.

If you believe that you have any of these conditions, visit your local dermatologist to get a diagnosis and to move towards treatment. Early treatment of these conditions helps keep the virus from spreading and leads to a quicker recovery.