Scabies In Contact Sports - What Athletes Need To Know

Contact sports like rugby, wrestling and judo are great for building muscle strength, teamwork and discipline, but they also create the perfect conditions for skin infections to spread.

Scabies in contact sports is a real concern because it thrives in environments with close and prolonged skin-to-skin contact. For instance, in wrestling, scabies is more common than in the general population due to the intense physical nature of the sport, where athletes are in constant close contact during training and competitions.

Scabies is caused by tiny mites which make your skin itch and leave a rash. It’s just one of many skin infections athletes might encounter but its ability to spread fast among teammates makes it one to watch out for.

It’s easily treated with topical scabies creams and oral medications but telling your coach and fellow athletes you have it can feel uncomfortable. With the right approach though and an open conversation you’ll be back in the game in no time.

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Why Are Contact Athletes At Risk?

Athletes who participate in contact sports are at higher risk of developing scabies because their sports involve exactly what mites love – close, prolonged skin-to-skin contact. Rolling around on mats during a judo bout, getting down to it in a rugby scrum or jostling for space on a basketball court all increase your chances of catching scabies if one of your teammates or a competitor has it.

Sharing equipment, whether it’s mats, shin pads, helmets or face guards can all increase your risk too. Throw in the warm and sweaty conditions of intense training sessions and you’ve got the perfect breeding grounds for scabies mites.

With packed training schedules and competitions, athletes don’t get much downtime either, making it harder to break the cycle of transmission. Competition in particular, brings athletes from various teams together, increasing the risk of exposure, even in winter when it’s colder and you might be wearing more layers.

Understanding the risks is the first step towards prevention and learning how to protect yourself from scabies and other skin infections.

Scabies treatments such as Lyclear can help to eliminate scabies fast.

Lyclear

Lyclear 5% cream is a highly effective topical treatment used to clear scabies and crab mites and their eggs from the skin.

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Spotting Scabies In Athletes

Scabies infection can be tricky to spot initially as symptoms are like many other common infections, leading you to question if it is scabies or something else? Knowing the signs makes all the difference. For contact athletes, scabies often shows up in areas with frequent skin-to-skin contact like the hands, wrists, in between fingers and around the waist. These spots might develop red, itchy bumps or a rash. You might also notice tiny spots and silver-coloured lines where the mites have burrowed into the skin.

Unlike regular sports rashes caused by sweating or friction, scabies tends to itch intensely at night and of course, there’s the burrow-like tracks on the skin. If multiple teammates start showing similar symptoms, it’s a good idea to suspect scabies.

Scabies can disrupt training and competition because the intense itch can cause discomfort and make it hard to focus. Plus, if you’ve been diagnosed you’ll need to stay away from training until you’re infection free. The good news is it’s easily treatable and if you or your teammates notice these signs you should get medication promptly to stop further spread.

What To Do If You Get Scabies

If you suspect you’ve got scabies don’t panic. While it is contagious it’s not usually a serious condition. Avoid close contact with teammates and let your coach know straight away. Telling them might feel awkward but it’s the best way to stop the spread.

Treatment is straightforward, with topical scabies creams like Lyclear and Permethrin being a good option.

You can usually return to training one to two weeks after treatment starts, once the itching subsides and you’re no longer contagious. To protect your teammates, clean shared gear, mats and clothes thoroughly and encourage them to watch out for symptoms too.

Permethrin

Permethrin 5% cream is effective in treating scabies and lice infestations, providing quick relief from itching and irritation.

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Preventing Scabies In Sport

While you can’t eliminate the risk of scabies entirely there’s plenty you can do to limit the chances. Start with simple practical strategies like cleaning mats and other shared equipment regularly. Use disinfectant after every session to reduce the risk.

Personal hygiene is important too. While scabies isn’t caused by poor hygiene it’s a good idea to shower after training, avoid sharing towels or clothing and wash any gear often.

Check your skin regularly to spot the early signs of scabies, like itching or a rash, before it spreads. Before competitions make sure mats and any sports equipment, protective clothing etc. is clean and encourage your teammates to follow similar protocols. Team-wide rules for cleaning and hygiene should help everyone stay scabies-free in future.

Always Remember...

It is essential that you speak to a licensed medical professional before starting any scabies medication. They can provide personalised, expert guidance, assess potential risks and ensure that your chosen treatment is safe and suitable for your health needs.

Getting Scabies Doesn’t Have To Be An Own Goal…

Scabies is a risk in contact sports but it’s one that’s easily manageable with the right awareness and quick action. Once you know how scabies spreads, you can recognise the early signs and take preventative steps like good hygiene and cleaning to help protect yourself and your teammates.

Prompt treatment with oral medications or topical creams helps to stop the spread in its tracks, gets you on the road to recovery and minimises disruption to your training and competitions.

If you suspect scabies or need advice don’t wait - see your GP or book a consultation online and get the help and support you need.

What's Next?

Take control with a quick, discreet consultation with a UK doctor. A confidential skin consultation can give you the answers you need. Our medical professionals will assess your symptoms, decide if it’s scabies or another skin infection and recommend the best treatment for your personal circumstances.

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