Preventing Skin Infections in Athletes

• Report all skin infections
  Report all skin infections to a health care provider for further evaluation.

Excluding Athletes from Competition or Practice

• When should an athlete be referred to a health care provider? 
  • Any lesion, sore, or rash on the skin you are concerned about, especially those that are red, swollen, or draining fluid.
  • The athlete also has other signs of illness such as fever or vomiting.
  • Multiple athletes have similar symptoms.
• When should an athlete be excluded from competition or practice?
  • When the athlete has any concerning lesion, sore, or rash until evaluated by a health care provider.
    In general, if an athlete has an infection with fluid draining from the wound and participates in sport with a lot of skin-to-skin contact, they should be excluded until the infection is healed.
    
• When can an athlete return to competition or practice?
  • Consult with the athlete’s health care provider and specific sports league rules.
    
    
• Washing hands
  Clean hands often with soap and water. Use alcohol hand rub if soap is not available and hands do not look dirty.
  • Hand Hygiene: Wash Your Hands! (PDF)  
    
    
• Showering
  Shower onsite immediately after every practice and game. Use soap and warm water and do not share towels.
  
  
• Covering Wounds
  Cover all breaks in skin with a water proof bandage. Change the bandage if it gets wet.
  • Changing Bandages (PDF) 
    Poster showing the steps for how to change your bandages.
    
    
• Wash Clothes
  Wash clothes and towels after every practice and game. Use detergent and dry thoroughly.
  
  
• Sharing personal items
  Avoid sharing used water bottles.