Preventing Skin Infections For Grapplers
While martial arts like Jiu Jitsu can be adrenaline-filled, gratifying and noble sports, the not-so-glamorous side of grappling involves the dreaded and much feared - skin infections.
Skin infections like ringworm, staph, impetigo, folliculitis and herpes strains may be lurking on the mats. While we all trust our gyms are kept clean and sanitised, this doesn’t always protect us against these diseases.
Practising the following suggestions can reduce the likelihood of contracting skin infections as a result of grappling.
Implement Strong Hygiene Practises
This is a no-brainer. Keeping yourself clean is the best way to keep yourself and your training partners safe from skin infections. Be sure to shower before and immediately after training, always wear shoes off the mats, keep your nails trim and always cover open wounds. When showering, look for a soap containing tea tree or other anti-bacterial agents. Alternatively, you could add a few drops of tea tree oil to your regular soap.
Refrain from sharing personal care items such as razors, nail clippers, shoes and towels. It would also be wise to avoid shaving before training to minimise the likelihood of bacteria entering broken skin. Clothing should be washed after training in hot water using detergent and an anti-bacterial solution.
Strengthen Your Immune System
Improving your immune system will greatly reduce your chances of contracting a skin infection. Keratinocytes are the predominant cells of the outermost layer of the skin and act as the first line of defence against skin infection. Once triggered, they begin the cellular cascade that makes up the immune response.
Boost your immunity by consuming a variety of antioxidant-rich foods such as broccoli, kale, citrus fruits, dark berries, parsley, onions, cherries and legumes. Be sure to stay hydrated with at least 8 glasses of water per day (more if you’re actively training) and get a minimum of 7 hours of restful sleep per night.
Diversify your gut bacteria by eating a variety of plant foods rich in prebiotics and add 1-3 tablespoons of probiotic-rich foods (yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, nato, etc) to your daily diet.
Use antibiotics only when prescribed and as prescribed. Abusing antibiotics or taking them too frequently will severely disturb your gut bacteria and your body’s response to the medication, leading to poor immunity and chronic health issues.
Use Topical Treatments
After training, apply a diluted solution of tea tree oil onto broken skin or any areas prone to infection (keep away from eyes and sensitive areas). Topical creams containing St. John’s Wort, Lemon Balm and other anti-bacterial/fungal/viral herbs can be useful.
If you’re currently infected, depending on the nature of your infection you may need a topical anti-bacterial, anti-fungal or anti-viral. Your healthcare practitioner will be able to determine which option is best for you and may also prescribe oral medication to be taken concurrently.
If you have a current infection or suffer from recurring infections, I highly encourage you to seek a knowledgeable healthcare practitioner immediately. If that’s you, book an appointment. I’d love to help.
For more on all things health and wellness, subscribe to my newsletter. You’ll be the first to hear about new articles and healthy recipes to support you on your wellness journey.
