Here are some valuable tips on how you can protect yourself (and your teammates) from Ringworm and/or Staph Infection.

Martial arts gyms, particularly those dedicated to grappling disciplines such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling, need to be highly vigilant about the risk of ringworm and, even more concerning, staph infection outbreaks. To start, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of these two infections.

Ringworm is an extremely contagious fungal infection that can affect the skin or scalp. This troublesome fungus spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact or by coming into contact with an infected individual or object. Ringworm usually presents as scaly and may appear as red, causing itching. It’s important to note that ringworm may not always be visible and can even develop on the scalp, so when washing your hair, make sure to inspect by touch. If necessary, consider having a friend or training partner examine your scalp. Sundhed.dk

Staph infection is caused by bacteria that are often present on the skin or in the nasal passages. Staph can be transmitted from one person to another and is highly contagious. These bacterial strains can readily spread through cuts, abrasions, and direct skin-to-skin contact. Additionally, Staph infections can be transmitted through the sharing of items like razors, towels, uniforms, or equipment. It’s worth noting that many individuals who contract Staph often mistake it for a rash, pimple, or blister.

So how can you prevent contracting ringworm and staph?
We clean the mats daily and we spry the mats with anti bacterial soap and clean them after class.

Here is what you need to do as a member of Arte Suave.

1. Always wear clean equipment, never wear the same gear more that ones. It’s not only unsanitary but also very offensive to your teammates nasal passages.
2. Clean your equipment and uniforms after using them. This ties directly into step 1. For boxing gloves and Muay Thai shinguards, spraying them down with disinfectant spray immediately after use will go a long way towards keeping your gear sanitary and smelling nice. For Jiu Jitsu gi’s, rash guards, shorts, and spats, they need to be washed after every single training session, even if you trained light and didn’t work up a sweat. On at least 60 degrees or use some kind of anti bacterial soap.
3. Bathe/Shower immediately after your training session. As much effort as we put into keeping our mats and training equipment clean, you still need to shower after you wrap up. Doctors recommend that you do this within 30-60 minutes after you conclude training in order to maximize your odds of killing any thing that you may have picked up from someone else.