This is an exciting week as everyone looks forward to the culmination of the season. Unfortunately, there will be a few wrestlers whose season will end before they ever step on the mat. These are those kids who show up at weigh-in with suspicious skin conditions that result in their being DQ'd at the skin checks.
Skin checks are an important part of our sport. With athletes coming into very close, sustained contact with each other, and with some increasingly deadly contagious diseases out there, it is important that we protect everyone from those few who might carry something that we don’t want them to share.
If you see anything suspicious on one of your athletes, don’t play roulette by waiting until the skin checks at state to see if there is an issue. Get your athlete to a physician today to have the condition evaluated. If they get the all clear, have the doctor complete and sign the
skin form and bring it with the athlete to weigh-in.
As always, the best treatment is prevention. I’ve copied a portion of a nice article from the
Virginia Department of Health on what athletes & parents should do to protect themselves:
- Athletes should be regularly encouraged to follow good hygiene practices, including frequent hand washing, showering immediately following each practice or competition, and NOT sharing "drinking" water bottles.
- Remind athletes NOT to touch other peoples' skin infections. Any draining wound should be considered a potential skin infection.
- Athletes should be instructed to NOT share personal hygiene items (e.g., bar soap, razors, nail clippers, etc.), or topical ointments, antibiotics, deodorants, and salves.
- Athletes should be encouraged to promptly report abrasions, lacerations, or skin infections to a coach/team trainer, or school nurse.
- Cosmetic shaving should be discouraged.
- Athletes with open wounds should be discouraged from using whirlpools or common tubs. Individuals with scratches or open wounds can infect others or become infected in this kind of environment.
- Athletes should be reminded to wash practice clothes/uniforms with soap and warm water and dry in a hot dryer after every use.
- Messages should be repeated regularly (e.g., weekly) and following any observed violations. Rewards for compliance (as well as potential penalties for non-compliance) may help to reinforce appropriate behaviors.
- Visual aids (e.g., posters) should be present and located strategically to remind athletes, staff, and parents regarding proper behaviors.
- Coaches and staff should be role-models for students and parents - they should strive to model correct behaviors.