happy + healthy staph
The Hidden Danger In Sports by Lindsey Justus
You know you run the risks of getting bruises and bumps in your game , but what about the dangers your helmets and knee pads can ’ t save you from ? Whether it ’ s football , volleyball , or soccer , playing any sport makes you susceptible to Staphylococcal infection , otherwise known as “ staph .”
What exactly is staph ?
Staph is a skin infection caused by bacteria that thrive in moist conditions ( like locker rooms .) Sounds gross , right ? These bacteria are often passed between athletes via skin-on-skin contact . Once you get a cut or abrasion , which often happens in the heat of the game , you are vulnerable to contracting staph .
How Can I Tell if I Have Staph ? Staph may appear as small red bumps that resemble spider bites or a cluster of blisters that resemble pimples . According to Children ’ s of Alabama , “ If a minor infection gets worse — for example , you start feeling feverish or ill , or the area spreads and gets very red and hot — it ' s a good idea to see a doctor .”
But why should I worry ? If little unexplained bumps don ’ t freak you out , get a load of this : untreated staph can grow to a painful boil , and can cause diseases like cellulitis , toxic shock syndrome , and staph pneumonia . Still not worried ? It ’ s also possible for staph to develop into MRSA , a strand of staph resistant to antibiotics . In addition , it always has the chance to enter the bloodstream and spread to your bones , joints , lungs or heart , which can be fatal .
How can I prevent it ? What ’ s better than treating staph early on ? Not having it at all ! Here are a few tips to keep those nasty bacteria out of your system : About 50 %
• Wash your hands often . of staph
• Keep hands away from nose and groin . infections are
• Avoid sharing personal items like towels drug-resistant . and soap .
• Shower immediately after practice and games .
• Clean and cover all wounds promptly .
• Wash any sports laundry in hot water , then dry on the hottest cycle .
What if I get staph anyway ? Even if you do everything in your power to prevent it , you can still develop staph . You should see a doctor immediately if you suspect you have become infected . Your physician will tell you how to properly care for the wound , and how to keep it from spreading to other parts of your body ( and other people !)
Watch for these too !
Athletes are also prone to develop ring worm , herpes simplex , and athlete ’ s foot . Curb these infections by keeping your equipment , uniforms , and body clean .
44 | Spring 2018 www . potentialmagazine . com