Westbrook High School

                                                                                                                                                  October 2007

Outbreaks of skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus resistant to antibiotics have been increasingly reported in high school, college and professional sports teams, including football, lacrosse, basketball, rowing, wrestling and soccer.  Sharing of sports equipment and/or physical contact between players will increase the risk of infection.  The information in this letter will help you understand the risk, prevention, and treatment of these infections. 

What is Staphylococcus aureus?

Staphylococcus aureus (“staph”) are bacteria carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people.  About 25% to 50% of people in the US carry staph in their nose at any given time, but it does not make them sick.  Staph can also be carried in the armpit, groin, or genital area.  Most skin infections caused by staph are minor, like pimples, and can be treated without antibiotics.  However, staph can sometimes cause serious infections like pneumonia, blood or joint infections and deep skin infections.

What is MRSA?

Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is staph that has become resistant to the most common antibiotics used to treat it.  MRSA infections are similar to other staph infections but can result in longer or repeated illness, more doctor visits, and a need for more expensive and toxic antibiotics.  Originally MRSA was confined to hospital and nursing homes.  More recently, a strain of MRSA has been found in the community that is different from hospital strains in that it causes more skin and soft tissue infections.  This strain may also be called “community - associated” MRSA or CAMRSA. 

What do skin infections look like?

Ø      Sores that look and feel like spider bites, but are not spider bites

Ø      Red painful bumps under the skin called boils or abscesses

Ø      A cut that is swollen, hot and filled with pus

Ø      Blisters filled with fluid (usually on the face, called impetigo)

Ø      A warm, red firm skin area that is painful and getting larger, usually on the legs (called cellulitis)

Athletes tend to get the infection anywhere equipment rubs and causes broken skin, such as on the hands, knees, shoulders, elbows or on the buttocks or sides of the legs.

Tips on avoiding and caring for common skin infections with athletes:

Ø      Immediately shower after practice or competition.

Ø      Wash all athletic clothing worn during practice or competition after every use.

Ø      Wash and disinfect protective equipment such as helmets, shoulder pads or any other athletic gear daily with a solution made with 3 Tlb. Bleach to 1Qt. of water.

Ø      After disinfecting equipment leave out to air dry.  Do not enclose in a bag for storage overnight.  Student may bring equipment back to school the following day in a clean bag for storage during school day.

Ø      Clean and disinfect gym bags and/or travel bags if the athlete is carrying dirty workout gear home and then bringing clean gear back in the same bag.  Use disposable bags for athletic clothing used during practice.

Ø      Do not share towels or personal hygiene products such as deodorant, with other athletes.

Ø      Any athlete wearing protective gear such as pads, are encouraged to wear cotton undergarments between their padding and their skin whenever possible.  This is especially pertinent to Football and Lacrosse players.

Ø      Any skin lesion should be reported immediately to coach, trainer, nurse or personal physician for evaluation.  Students must be cleared for participation before returning to play.  If a staph infection is suspected, students will be referred for evaluation and will need to obtain clearance for play prior to returning.  Physicians are encouraged to culture lesion prior to treatment.  Any culture results should be reported to the school nurse.

Ø      Any skin lesion must always be adequately covered before a student may participate in sports.

Should you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact Susan Cawley, RN, WMS/WHS nurse at 399-2010, Bob Hale, Principal WHS at 399-6214, or the WHS Athletic Dierector Paula Fitzgerald.