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| OAA Speaks Out on Skin Infections and Return to Play |
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January 30, 2012
OAA Athletic Trainers at area schools have identified a concerning trend of student athletes, particularly wrestlers, returning to play before the recommended minimum criteria for return to play. The nature of athletics lends to an environment that increases the risk of skin infection so it is important that we as parents, physicians, administration, coaches, and athletic trainers are all working together to do our part to minimize the incidence of skin infection in our athletic population. Below is a summary of minimum return to play criteria for common skin infections. Condition | Return to Play | Tinea corporis (ring worm) | -Minimum 72 hour fungicide (14 days if on scalp) -Lesions must be covered | Herpes Simplex (primary) | -Free of systemic symptoms (fever, malaise, swollen lymph nodes, etc.) -No new lesions at least 72 hrs -No moist lesions, lesion must be covered by a firm, adherent crust -Minimum of 120 hours (full 5 days) systemic antiviral therapy or 10-14 days therapy if first infection | Folliculitis, impetigo, cellulitis, MRSA | -No new lesions at least 48 hours -Minimum 72 hour antibiotic therapy -No moist or draining lesions * MRSA lesions may need to be treated longer than 72 hours! |
For wrestling there is a NFHS Medical Release Form which is required to be completed. The officials working the wrestling match will ask for a copy of the completed form prior to letting the athlete participate. Although not required for all sports, please feel free to use this same form for students participating in other sports. Remember that if your child or student athelete is showing symptoms of a skin infection the best thing to do to get them back in the game or match is to have them seen by a medical professional as soon as possible to be diagnosed and begin treament. Click here to review the OAA Orthopaedic Specialists Policy on Infectious Skin Disease in Athletes: Referral, Diagnosis, Treatment and Return to Play What to read more? Check out this quick brochure for further information and understanding! |
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