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