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 & Treatment and Care – Contusions & HematomasHematomas
Immediate Treatment (RICER)•Rest•Ice – applied for 20 minutes•Compression – ace bandage•Elevation•Range of Motion
Treatment and Care – Contusions & Treatment and Care – Contusions & HematomasHematomas
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
Typical Staph Skin Lesions
MRSA
• 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
• 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
Impetigo• 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• 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
• 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
• 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 ringworm1. Shower after playing sports2. Dry thoroughly after bathing
or swimming3. Wash clothes and yourself
after each workout4. Avoid contact with individuals
who are infected5. 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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