Injuries are an inevitable part of an athlete’s life. Seldom there will be a sportsperson who has not undergone a muscle tear or muscle strain. Such injuries tend to hamper the performance or many even compel the athlete to take time off from the game.
Apart from these serious injuries, there is another type of injury, which is the sports-induced skin injury that can also have detrimental effects on an athlete’s performance. While we may not have complete control over other muscle and bone injuries, when it comes to skin injuries, we can definitely exercise more control and work towards avoiding them.
So how can you stay away from skin injuries? There are quite simple and easy steps you can follow to keep the skin injuries at bay. Here are five quick tips for taking care of your skin:
Keep your skin clean and dry and shower after every practice and game
Keeping your skin clean and dry is of utmost importance as the moist skin is prone to more damage. Therefore, sweat-wicking fabrics are recommended for athletes so the skin stays clean and dry.
Additionally, athletes must not forget to take a shower after every practice or game. Use of antimicrobial soaps is recommended. Once this is done, you should wipe your body till it is completely dry.
Use anti-chafing creams and anti-fungal powders
Chafing and fungal infection are quite common among athletes as there is repetitive rubbing of body parts with each other, for instance, things, groins, under arm, etc. While these problems may not seem to be grave at the beginning, if left unattended can affect performance in the long run.
Use of medicated tapes and talcum powder can avoid the problems of chafing. Similarly, to avert fungal problems, which typically appear on the neck, athletes can use anti-fungal powders. These powders can also help absorb perspiration and soothe irritated skin.
Wear moisture-wicking clothes on the field and sandals off the field
The moisture-wicking clothes help keep the athlete’s skin dry and prevent germs from growing. Apart from this, ensure that you change your sportswear regularly so that the sweat and germs do not accumulate on your skin.
Also, wearing sandals or other comfortable footwear off the field helps reduce infections on the feet. Since the athletes spend a lot of time in shoes that cover their entire feet, it is important that whenever they are not training, they wear sandals or other footwear that will allow some breathing space to their feet.
Do not share personal care items
Athletes should ensure that they do not share their personal care items, including napkins, towels, razors, combs, soaps, and the like with their fellow colleagues. Sharing of such items can spread infection if the items are shared by or received from a person who already has a skin injury.
It is therefore essential that every athlete carries his/her personal care items with them in their kit bag.
Perform regular skin checks and visit dermatologist
It is advisable that athletes visit their dermatologists on a regular basis to keep a check on their skin’s health. During these checks, the doctor may come across some cuts, sores, redness, swelling and pus, if any and treat the athlete for the same.
The said problems could lead to skin irritation. It is important for athletes to be fully aware about their skin. In case of any skin problems, they should not hesitate to visit a dermatologist. Delaying treatment could have other long-term effects.
