Injuries to Epithelial Tissue

Injuries to Epithelial Tissues Epithelial tissue makes up the layers of our skin Many types of epithelial injuries in sports Superficial epithelial tissue injuries follow a 3 step healing process – Response – Repair – Remodeling

Superficial Injuries to Epithelial Tissue Abrasions – outer layer of skin has been scraped off – turf burns, sliding in baseball and softball, falling while running xc or track Laceration – jagged tear in the flesh – head wounds – usually will need stitches

Superficial Injuries to Epithelial Tissue Puncture Wound – penetration of a sharp object deep in skin – rare in sports Incision – clean, straight cut – cut usually made by a very sharp object – usually needs stitches

Superficial Injuries to Epithelial Tissues Callus – thickened area of skin – usually not painful – caused by friction against the skin over time – common areas side of big toe heel “ball of foot” palm of hands

Superficial Injuries to Epithelial Tissues Blister – build-up of fluid under skin – caused by friction against the skin – occurs rapidly and not over time – very painful once they develop – common areas heel palm “ball of foot”

Superficial Injuries to Epithelial Tissues Hematomas – a blood-filled swollen area – goose-egg – areas where no muscle present between skin and bone – cranium, shin, under nail beds

Superficial Injuries to Epithelial Tissues Contusions – injury received by a blow to area – a bruise – bleeding spreads out into surrounding tissue – extremely common in all sports

Treatment and Care – Contusions & Hematomas Immediate Treatment (RICER) Rest Ice – applied for 20 minutes Compression – ace bandage Elevation Range of Motion

Treatment and Care – Contusions & Hematomas Follow-up Treatment Continue to ice Mild stretching Protect area – donut-shaped pad over injury

Skin Infections Skin always has some amount of bacteria, fungus, and viruses living on it Skin infections occur when: – there are breaks in the skin – organisms have uncontrolled growth

When worry about skin lesions? Lesions are bright red Lesions that are warmer compared to other skin Inflammation and irritation around the skin lesions Prior history of infectious skin lesions Skin abrasions increase the risk of skin infection

Expertise Experienced person with skin lesions, the better the medical evaluation The best situation is qualified physicians, trainers and referees working together for the benefit of the athletes

Skin Infections - Highlights Bacteria (can be cured) – Staphylococcus including MRSA – Streptococcus bacteria causing Impetigo Fungal (can be cured) – Ringworm – Athlete’s foot Viral (can’t be cured but can be treated) – Herpes – Warts – Molluscum contagiosum

Skin Infections - Bacteria Right antibiotics is required to cure a bacterial skin infection Antibiotics will not cure fungal or viral infections Can be the fastest growing infections Most easily spread among athletes

Staphylococcus Infections Staph Aureus bacteria commonly cause skin infections 20 to 30% of healthy people have Staph on their skin. Staph are resistant to some antibiotics all Staph infections can be treated with one or more antibiotics

Staphylococcus Infections Athletes, military recruits, children, and prisoners are at higher risk of Staph infections. Risk of infection increased when there are: – cuts in the skin – close skin-to-skin contact – crowded living conditions – poor hygiene – contaminated items and surfaces

Typical Staph Skin Lesions

MRSA – Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria – Does NOT respond to some antibiotics used to treat regular Staph – MRSA skin infections are on rise in high school athletes

MRSA – Appears on skin as sores or boils – Looks much like a regular Staph infection – Spreads through direct contact with people or equipment/surfaces contaminated with MRSA

MRSA Treatment – Don’t ignore infected areas – Don’t drain sore yourself – Seek medical attention – Doctor will drain sore, bandage and may prescribe antibiotics – Keep sore covered at all times to reduce infecting others

Staph and MRSA Staphlycoccus Infections Staphlycoccus Infections

Impetigo – Highly contagious bacterial skin infection – Caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria – Not common in adults but occurs in close contact athletes (rugby, football and wrestling) – Video

Impetigo – Appears first as small blisters – Blisters evolve to yellowish, honey colored crusted blisters – Can be treated with topical antibiotic – Can’t participate until all blisters are cleared up – Refer athlete to doctor for correct diagnosis

Staph vs. Strep Strep bacteria Staph bacteria

Ringworm – Caused by a fungus (not worm) called Tinea Corporis – Appears as ring-shaped lesions on skin – Spreads through direct contact with infected individuals

Ringworm – Fungus thrives on warm, moist skin – Athletes at greatest risk are wrestlers and football – Accounts for approx 84% of skin infections in wrestlers – Treat with antifungal creams and avoid contact with others

Ringworm Tips to prevent ringworm 1. Shower after playing sports 2. Dry thoroughly after bathing or swimming 3. Wash clothes and yourself after each workout 4. Avoid contact with individuals who are infected 5. Don’t share towels or clothing with others

Athlete’s Foot Athlete’s foot – Caused by fungus called Tinea Pedis – Fungus thrives in warm, moist areas – Contagious and spreads through person to person contact – Also spreads by walking barefoot across contaminated floors

Athlete’s Foot Athlete’s foot – Symptoms are burning, itching and scaling of the skin – Treated by many antifungal topical medications – Keep feet dry as possible, don’t walk barefoot across locker rooms or weight rooms

Herpes – Viral infection – Most common in athletes is Herpes gladiatorum (mat herpes) – Caused Herpes Simplex Virus type I – Same virus that causes cold sores

Herpes – Once infected, can treat symptoms but have the virus inside body for life – Lesions usually appear on face or upper body – Contagious during outbreaks – Seek medical attention – No practice or play until no longer contagious

Warts – Most common in athletes is plantar warts – Caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) – Virus enters skin through cuts or cracks – Usually occur on soles of feet and can spread by walking barefoot

Warts – Usually not a health risk – Can be treated easily with freezing kits or cauterization – Treat immediately to avoid spreading virus to others

Molluscum Contagiosum Molluscum Conagiosum – Caused by the pox virus – Lesions are contagious and should be treated immediately to avoid spreading – Most common in wrestlers – Video

Wrestling Mats - Haven for Bacteria Wrestling Mats - Haven for Bacteria