Every once in a while a case of ringworm pops up in a BJJ academy and people start asking questions.
The makers of Defense Soap offer an excellent free guide about skin infections and I urge you to download it and get informed on prevention and treatment.
Here are some excerpts from the guide:
HOW DO PEOPLE GET RINGWORM?
Ringworm is spread by either direct or indirect contact. People can most easily contract Ringworm by direct skin to- skin contact with an infected person or pet.
People can also get Ringworm indirectly by contact with objects or surfaces that an infected person has touched, such as kimonos, belts, tatami mats, gym bags, shower stalls, etc.
HOW SOON AFTER EXPOSURE DO SYMPTOMS APPEAR?
Ringworm of the scalp usually appears 10 to 14 days after contact, and Ringworm of the skin generally appears 4 to 10 days after contact. The time between exposure and symptoms is not known for the other types of Ringworm.
One of the BJJ students at my old MMA gym is an emergency room physician and answered a few questions for me on the topic of ring worm.
Here is what he had to say:
If it is raised and round, it’s ringworm. There are several types of ringworm (tinea) that can cause the round shape on your body.
The chronic tinea pedis is the most common form of tinea. Applying topical anti-fungal cream for several weeks would be sufficient for most people. Many BJJ guys say they used Lamisil.
However, patients with chronic disease may require oral anti-fungal therapy such as taking terbinafine 250mg daily.
In medicine, we often say prevention is more important than treatment and it works for ringworm as well.
Don’t share sports equipment with other people.
Always wipe the floor before and after practice.
Showering before practice is another good way to prevent disease from spreading. If you have ringworm, you should be responsible and to stay away from the gym until fully recovered.
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