Preventing Skin Infections in Athletes

• Report all skin infections
  Report all skin infections to a health care provider for further evaluation.
  • Excluding Athletes from Competition or Practice
    
    
• Washing hands
  Clean hands often with soap and water. Use alcohol hand rub if soap is not available and hands do not look dirty.
  • Hand Hygiene: Wash Your Hands!
    
    
• Showering
  Shower onsite immediately after every practice and game. Use soap and warm water and do not share towels.
  
  
• Covering Wounds
  Cover all breaks in skin with a water proof bandage. Change the bandage if it gets wet.
  • Changing Bandages
    Poster showing the steps for how to change your bandages.
    
    
• Wash Clothes
  Wash clothes and towels after every practice and game. Use detergent and dry thoroughly.
  
  
• Sharing personal items
  Avoid sharing used water bottles.

For more information about caring for a skin infection, see Care of a Staphylococcus aureus Infection.