Skin Conditions in Sports Ch. 17

Blood-Borne Conditions

•HIV/AIDS▫Transferred through body fluids…you get

the picture▫Can also be transferred through breast

milk Bet you didn’t know that

▫Takes approximately a gallon of saliva or tears to transmit HIV

▫Causes fatigue, night sweating, sores that don’t heal, coughing and diarrhea

Blood-Borne Conditions•Hepatitis B

▫Causes infection of liver▫Transmitted by contact w/ blood▫You always have it, never goes away▫Makes you more prone to cirrhosis▫Signs and symptoms similar to flu, other

than jaundice▫If suspected, medical attention needed

immediately▫Completely preventable with vaccine

Skin

•First line of defense •Holds fluids in, and secretes oily

substance•Made up of 3 layers

▫Epidermis-thin, connects to dermis▫Dermis-thicker, contains hair follicles and

sweat glands▫Hypodermis (subcutaneous layer)-helps

hold skin to underlying bone and muscle tissue, stores about 50% of the body’s fat

Wounds/Skin Infections

•Primary concern, for care giver, when dealing with wounds is preventing contact with blood or body fluids▫Use barrier devices▫Throw away all used items in biohazard

bag/receptacle▫Dispose of sharps properly▫Thoroughly clean area used to treat

wound/infection▫Clean any instruments used ▫Wash hands

Skin Infections

•Folliculitis▫Inflammation of a hair follicle▫Antibiotics needed▫Caused by pressure on hair follicles

•Tinea Corpis (ringworm)▫Fungal infection▫Red, scaly, raised, ring shaped sore▫Usually cured with anti-fungal cream▫Caused by lack of hygiene (typically)

Skin Infections

•Furuncle (boils)▫Bacterial infection▫Bright red sores with hard center, looks like a

pimple▫Use heat packs to draw infection out▫Carbuncles are just groups of boils

•Impetigo▫Caused by either staph or strep infections▫Causes blisters in clusters that break open and a

yellow crust appears▫Antibiotics needed to stop infection

Viral Infections

•Warts• Caused by HPV• Treated with many different commercial

products•Plantar warts

• Unlike “normal” warts, they grow up into foot b/c of weight bearing

• Can be very painful• Sometimes they resolve on their own, other

times surgery is needed

Viral Infections

•Herpes Gladiatorum▫Causes cold sore/fever blister▫Tend to appear during high stress times,

with physical trauma, or when fatigued▫Contagious when sores are present▫Virus never goes away, can be dormant at

times▫Anyone with active infection must be held

out until “crust” appears and comes off