Information on Staphylococcal Skin Infections among Sports Participants
Download the News Release from the Health Department of Northwest Michigan.
Staphylococcus or Staph is a type of bacteria. It may cause skin infections that look like pimples or boils. Skin infections caused by Staph may be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. Sometimes wounds or scrapes are red and have “honey colored” drainage. Anyone can get a Staph infection. People are more likely to get a Staph infection if they have skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a Staph infection or contact with items and surfaces that have Staph on them. Individuals are at greater risk if they have openings in their skin such as cuts or scrapes.
If you think you may have a staph infection you should notify your coach and contact your doctor for treatment. Treatment for a Staph skin infection may include taking an antibiotic or having a doctor drain the infection.
How can I prevent staph skin infections?
Practice good hygiene:
- Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Shower as soon as possible after all practices and games
- Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
- Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.
If I have a staph skin infection, what can I do to prevent others from getting infected?
You can prevent spreading staph skin infections to others by following these steps:
- Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered with clean, dry bandages. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions on proper care of the wound. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph, so keeping the infection covered will help prevent the spread to others. Bandages or tape can be discarded with the regular trash.
- If a wound cannot be completely covered the player should not participate in practice or competitions until it can be covered adequately or until the wound has healed.
- Clean your hands. You, your family, and others in close contact should wash their hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after changing the bandage or touching the infected wound.
- Do not share personal items. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms that may have had contact with the infected wound or bandage. Wash sheets, towels, and clothes that become soiled with water and laundry detergent. Drying clothes in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying, also helps kill bacteria in clothes.
- Talk to your doctor. Tell any healthcare providers who treat you that you have or had a staph skin infection.
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