Proper Prevention &
Management Recommendations

  1. Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and warm water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer routinely.
  2. Encourage immediate showering following activity.
  3. Avoid whirlpools or common tubs with open wounds, scrapes or scratches. 
  4. Avoid sharing towels, razors, and daily athletic gear.
  5. Properly wash athletic gear and towels after each use.
  6. Maintain clean facilities and equipment.
  7. Inform or refer to appropriate health care personnel for all active skin lesions and lesions that do not respond to initial therapy.
  8. Administer or seek proper first aid.
  9. Encourage health care personnel to seek bacterial cultures to establish a diagnosis.
  10. Care and cover skin lesions appropriately before participation.

How Do I Avoid MRSA?

Personal hygiene is key in the prevention of MRSA and Staphylococcus aureus.

  • Thorough cleansing after workouts and contact with other players is your primary defense.
  • Utilize alcohol-based hand sanitizers during workouts and games.
  • Launder your uniforms and other athletic clothing in hot water and dry them with a hot dryer.
  • Any athletic equipment must be thoroughly sanitized after use to avoid transmission of bacteria, as MRSA can live for days on surfaces.   There are companies now that perform this service so you can be assured that you are cleaning your equipment thoroughly without compromising its integrity.  Don’t forget your gym equipment, as it can become a breeding ground for bacteria as well.
  • If you have an open wound, be sure to clean it well, and keep it covered with a bandage that attaches to the skin on all sides.
  • Do not ever share or borrow towels, razors, soap, or any other personal items.

     

Athletes - What To Do If You Have A Skin Infection
Personal Hygiene: Wash hands regularly 
 For at least 15-20 seconds every time you wash.

Use soap and warm water 		 After using the restroom in any way.

After touching your skin infection or dressing (bandage). 

Before eating.
Personal Hygiene:  Shower 
Daily, and right after your practice or game 
Change into clean clothes (wash hands after changing clothes) 
After you shower.
When wound drainage gets on your clothes 
Use the laundry 
Wash practice clothes, uniform, and towels after each use 
Disinfect equipment 
After every game and practice 
Do not share personal items 
Such as razors, towels, washcloths, bars of soap, personal clothing, hair care or deodorant products
Do not let others touch your infection 
Always keep wound covered 
Cover your wound 
If your bandage comes off, throw it away in a plastic container and wash your hands.  Tell the athletic trainer that you need a new bandage.  Athletic trainer should wear gloves. 
Warms soaks and compresses 
You may be told to soak your skin infection in warm water or to apply a moist compress for 20 minutes at a time.  Listen carefully to the instructions and do it just that way.  If your infection begins to drain, report it to the athletic trainer or coach.  Do not soak with another player. 
Medication 
Don't share medicine with anyone.  Take all the medicine the doctor gives you at the times and dosages perscribed.  If you don't take all the antibiotics the doctor gives you, the germs causing your infection may allow another infection. 
Report to the athletic trainer or coach IMMEDIATELY 
 If you develop:  Fever 
Red streaks from the wound 
Drainage 
If your infection starts to:  Have odor 
Drain more
If you think another player has made contact with your wound