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Insight on dealing with skin issues at your schools
2 year(s) ago • 640 views • 12 replies
JSBrown beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
How have you guys dealt with skin issues, i.e. Ringworm, in your schools? Just looking for some advice from users here that may have affiliate schools that cross train, etc and find it hard to contain/eliminate the problem.
CGBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Shower with soap after training usually does the trick
JSBrown beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Agreed. That’s the advice we give. Shower right after class, use antifungal soap, don’t train if you see ANY skin irritation, if you do stay away for a week and treat the area, don’t travel in training gear, wash your gym bag, etc.
We clean the mats after every session, etc. Aside from checking people’s bodies, it’s a difficult thing to control, especially with affiliates and cross training.
We clean the mats after every session, etc. Aside from checking people’s bodies, it’s a difficult thing to control, especially with affiliates and cross training.
JBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
My list of class rules list includes the following:
"Make sure that your uniform is clean (i.e., wash all parts of it after every training session). Also, be sure to wash yourself after every training session: showering with plenty of soap will help prevent skin infections."
"It is your responsibility to inform your instructor and all your training partners about any injuries or health conditions you might have. This is especially true for all communicable diseases: do not train if you are sick and can spread a disease to others. Please be mindful and honest about your health before you step on the mat."
We also clean the mats with anti-fungal/bacterial/viral cleanser after every training session. I tell students to shower ASAP after class. So far, we haven't had a problem, but I got ringworm many years ago from some dirty mats in a college fitness room, so I'm a bit paranoid.
"Make sure that your uniform is clean (i.e., wash all parts of it after every training session). Also, be sure to wash yourself after every training session: showering with plenty of soap will help prevent skin infections."
"It is your responsibility to inform your instructor and all your training partners about any injuries or health conditions you might have. This is especially true for all communicable diseases: do not train if you are sick and can spread a disease to others. Please be mindful and honest about your health before you step on the mat."
We also clean the mats with anti-fungal/bacterial/viral cleanser after every training session. I tell students to shower ASAP after class. So far, we haven't had a problem, but I got ringworm many years ago from some dirty mats in a college fitness room, so I'm a bit paranoid.
CGBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
I think in 20+ years of training in my home gyms, I've seen skin infections maybe 3-4 times. Might be something to do with European gyms almost always have showers and people use them directly after training. Rarely ever see that in the US gyms I've been to.
Regular soap is more than fine btw
Regular soap is more than fine btw
JSBrown beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
My list of class rules list includes the following: 'Make sure that your uniform is clean (i.e., wash all parts of it after every training session). Also, be sure to wash yourself after every training session: showering with plenty of soap will help prevent skin infections.' 'It is your responsibility to inform your instructor and all your training partners about any injuries or health conditions you might have. This is especially true for all communicable diseases: do not train if you are sick and can spread a disease to others. Please be mindful and honest about your health before you step on the mat.' We also clean the mats with anti-fungal/bacterial/viral cleanser after every training session. I tell students to shower ASAP after class. So far, we haven't had a problem, but I got ringworm many years ago from some dirty mats in a college fitness room, so I'm a bit paranoid.
Jim, thanks for your input. What specific cleanser do you use?
Aside from the rules, which pretty much match up with everyone so far and cleaning the mats, it’s still an issue unfortunately. I think the issue is people still training with it (either knowingly or unknowingly) which causes the problem to bubble back up.
If someone has something under their rashguard, shorts, etc. it will be impossible for a coach to see. That’s where you’re depending on others to be responsible which is obviously an issue.
Aside from the rules, which pretty much match up with everyone so far and cleaning the mats, it’s still an issue unfortunately. I think the issue is people still training with it (either knowingly or unknowingly) which causes the problem to bubble back up.
If someone has something under their rashguard, shorts, etc. it will be impossible for a coach to see. That’s where you’re depending on others to be responsible which is obviously an issue.
Edited 2 year(s) ago
SLBrown beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Honesty from everyone on the mats. Point it out! The person may not realise they have an infection.
We also regularly advise the team about prevention and cure.
Ultimately it comes down to trust.
We also regularly advise the team about prevention and cure.
Ultimately it comes down to trust.
JBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Jack, I’m at the mercy of what our Health and Exercise Science Department budget can purchase at an affordable price, so the exact brand we use varies depending on funding and availability. Currently, we are using the Lysol multi-surface disinfecting wipes. Every student grabs one at the end of class and wipes the mats down carefully. So far, we haven’t had any problems.
MBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
How have you guys dealt with skin issues, i.e. Ringworm, in your schools? Just looking for some advice from users here that may have affiliate schools that cross train, etc and find it hard to contain/eliminate the problem.
If someone in your school has it, then everyone could be at risk. Like you said it could be impossible for you to see if they came to class and it was in a non-obvious location. When I was involved with my daughter's wrestling, a common area for it to go unchecked within the scalp.
Now for skin protection, I recommend a brand called Defense, they make a Barrier foam that can be used before practice. They also make Body wipes for after-practice.
I have never had a problem and I don't use anything. I wash my gear, all of it EVEN THE BELT (yes I know that is tabo for some) and my gym bag as well. The recommended way to surface treat is using something like Lysol or diluted bleach works great. I spray my bag at least once a week with Lysol.
Now for skin protection, I recommend a brand called Defense, they make a Barrier foam that can be used before practice. They also make Body wipes for after-practice.
I have never had a problem and I don't use anything. I wash my gear, all of it EVEN THE BELT (yes I know that is tabo for some) and my gym bag as well. The recommended way to surface treat is using something like Lysol or diluted bleach works great. I spray my bag at least once a week with Lysol.
BMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Just looking for some advice from users here that may have affiliate schools that cross train, etc and find it hard to contain/eliminate the problem.
I'm not sure what cross training has to do with ringworm?
We've been open for almost 7 years, we probably average 20 students/class and have yet to have a reported case of ringworm coming from our gym. I encourage my students to cross train, and we welcome anyone to come train with us, as well.
We wash our mats religiously, regularly make post-training announcements reminding students to shower regularly, and we have shower facilities at the gym as well.
We've been open for almost 7 years, we probably average 20 students/class and have yet to have a reported case of ringworm coming from our gym. I encourage my students to cross train, and we welcome anyone to come train with us, as well.
We wash our mats religiously, regularly make post-training announcements reminding students to shower regularly, and we have shower facilities at the gym as well.
JSBrown beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Cross training in the sense that we have multiple affiliate schools that routinely train together at each other’s facilities. We highly encourage cross training as well, not only with our affiliate schools, but other schools as well.
What I was inferring to was since members routinely train at our other schools and abroad, while you can do everything in your power to control the issue at your location, you are at the mercy of what others do and preach at their schools.
What I was inferring to was since members routinely train at our other schools and abroad, while you can do everything in your power to control the issue at your location, you are at the mercy of what others do and preach at their schools.
Edited 2 year(s) ago
BMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Cross training in the sense that we have multiple affiliate schools that routinely train together at each other’s facilities. We highly encourage cross training as well, not only with our affiliate schools, but other schools as well. What I was inferring to was since members routinely train at our other schools and abroad, while you can do everything in your power to control the issue at your location, you are at the mercy of what others do and preach at their schools.
Gotcha.
Yeah, I guess there's not much you can do to completely filter out all the dirty trolls who train at your gym, whether they're "foreign or domestic". The best you can do is to maintain clean facilities and encourage appropriate hygiene practices.
One added method of precaution I take, is to cover up a much skin as possible. I almost never wear short sleeve rash guards, even in the summer. I've been able to avoid the worm since my college wrestling days by just being a little more meticulous about cleanliness.
Yeah, I guess there's not much you can do to completely filter out all the dirty trolls who train at your gym, whether they're "foreign or domestic". The best you can do is to maintain clean facilities and encourage appropriate hygiene practices.
One added method of precaution I take, is to cover up a much skin as possible. I almost never wear short sleeve rash guards, even in the summer. I've been able to avoid the worm since my college wrestling days by just being a little more meticulous about cleanliness.
Edited 2 year(s) ago
JSBrown beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Gotcha. Yeah, I guess there's not much you can do to completely filter out all the dirty trolls who train at your gym, whether they're 'foreign or domestic'. The best you can do is to maintain clean facilities and encourage appropriate hygiene practices. One added method of precaution I take, is to cover up a much skin as possible. I almost never wear short sleeve rash guards, even in the summer. I've been able to avoid the worn since my college wrestling days by just being a little more meticulous about cleanliness.
Agreed. It’s always long sleeve rash guards for me too, even in summer.
Even if someone tries to train without a rashguard under their Gi, that is a no go. We make them put a t-shirt on at least.
Even if someone tries to train without a rashguard under their Gi, that is a no go. We make them put a t-shirt on at least.
