Avoiding Staph Infections from Training in Martial Arts

Look at the picture above- Kevin "the Monster" Randleman, one of the biggest, scariest guys in the world of mixed martial arts, the man who suplexed Fedor Emelianko so hard Russian bears were reported to have been seen going to hibernate early, lost to something so small that it can't be seen by the naked eye. The thing that beat him? Staphylococcus aureus. commonly known as Staph.

Staph Infections (click to find symptoms and complications) are a very real and present danger when it comes to martial arts training, and even more of an issue when it comes to close contact martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, and Wrestling due to the nature of how it spreads.

Fortunately, many grappling schools take preventative measures (covered below), but infections can still happen, and due to the selective bacterial breeding that occurs over time on a surface that is cleaned, hardy and resistant strains (such as MRSA) may develop.

While the body, with the help of proper hygiene, can generally fight off staph on its own eventually, here is a Danger Checklist to follow:

How you know you have Staph/Should get it checked immediately :

• Do you have a fever?

• Do you see clusters of pimples or boils?

• Have the pimples/boils turned into open wounds?

• Is the area warm?

• Are any of the last three issues getting worse?

If you answered yes to these questions (Fever isn't always present, however, until later stages of the infection) go to your doctor immediately. If not, you may be risking the spread of infection to the bloodstream and even bones, leading to sepsis and toxic shock, sending the issue from contagious annoyance to potentially fatal condition

Here are some signs that you may want to have a talk with your instructor about proper training area cleanliness

• Do students come in wearing gis or clothing that hasn't been washed since the last training session?
• Are the mats not cleaned with disinfectant and clean mops or rags after every use?
• If there are showers, are they cleaned regularly?
  
• Do you notice rashes on your training partners?

• Wash hands with soap and water frequently.
  
  
• Keep cuts and abrasions covered during practice and wash them frequently with soap and water.
  
  
• If you are training in MMA nd No-Gi Grappling, consider wearing a rash guard. Wash your rash guard after each training session.
  
  
• Avoid contact with other persons’ wounds, and inform them of open wounds.
  
  
• Don’t share towels, clothing or equipment with others.
  
  
• Shower as soon as possible after practice.
  
  
• Gyms/Clubs/Individuals should establish regular schedules for cleaning any equipment that is shared. I recommend cleaning mats twice a day for a gym, just once after class for clubs and single classes. Clean Gloves and Pads at least once a day for gyms and others.
  
  
• Buy your own hand wraps, gloves, and pads.
  
  
• Change clothes frequently and only wear clean, washed clothes to practice.
  
  
• Early reporting and proper treatment of skin lesions is extremely important.

Here are some well-known disinfectants for cleaning:

For Gym Mats

• Commercial Mat Cleaning Solution
  

• 1:100 (I'd prefer 1:75) solution of household bleach and water made fresh every 24 hours
  

For Self

• 70% Isopropyl alcohol (Rubbing alcohol)
  
  
• Waterless antiseptic hand cleanser
  
  
• Hydrogen Peroxide/germicidal wipes
  
  
• Soap and water as a last resort followed by tea tree oil or neosporin
  

Other

• If you fear that you are now a staph carrier after your day of training, you can try this common eczema home treatment - fill a bathtub with lukewarm water, add 1/4 cup of bleach. Soak for 10 minutes, avoid water from neckline up. Get out and immediately cover self with lotion, and treat possible infected area with neosporin or tea tree oil. Do not do this more than 2x a week, as bathing in bleach solution can be irritating to the skin. (go figure.)
  

Well, that's it from me- train safe, and train clean.

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