Everything You Need To Know About Skin Infections in Brazilian Jiujitsu

  • By Jeff Mao

Published: Friday 6th Sept 2024

Skin infection such as staph and ringworm is common in combat sports gyms. When I first started training, I got a lot of skin infections. It would piss me off, and I didn't know how to deal with it.

 

Having to deal with these infections many times. I have come up with solutions I used to reduce common skin infections. And when I do get a skin infection, which isn't very often. They heal quickly without any problems. 

 

I do want to get one thing clear. Some of these infections can be serious. So you should seek proper medical advice from a doctor. 18-year-old Ray Williams travelled to Thailand for BJJ and Muay Thai training. But his journey took a tragic turn when he contracted staph skin infection. Ray collapsed and fell into a coma for 5 days before he passed away.  

Ray Williams (left) trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai since the age of 14

Common Skin Infections in Combat Sports

There are two common types of skin infections in combat sports - ringworm and staphylococcus aureus (staph). So what’s the difference between the two?

 

Ringworm is caused by fungal infection and it can affect the skin, scalp and feet. On the other hand staph infections are caused by bacteria and can affect the skin, body, bloodstream, lungs and even bones.

 

Knowing the difference between the two is important, because treating a fungal infection is different to treating a bacterial infection.

Staph Infection

Ringworm

Staph

Ringworm

Different types of ringworm fungal infections

Ringworm of the body is a fungal infection that affects the skin on various parts of the body. It’ll appear a red, circular rash. If let untreated  the center of the rash may become clearer as it grows, giving it a ring-like appearance

 

Jock itch is a common fungal infection that affects the groin area. This is more common in men and athletes, but it can affect anyone.

 

Athlete's Foot is a common fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet. And it usually starts between the toes. 

 

Nail fungal infection of the nail bed, matrix or plate. Infected nails may become discoloured, thickened, brittle and produce foul odour. 

 

Scalp ringworm is a fungal infection that affects the scalp and hair shafts. Infected area of the scalp might start to bald and lose hair. 

 

Ringworm of the body is a fungal infection that affects the skin on various parts of the body. It’ll appear a red, circular rash. If let untreated  the center of the rash may become clearer as it grows, giving it a ring-like appearance

 

Jock itch is a common fungal infection that affects the groin area. This is more common in men and athletes, but it can affect anyone.

 

Athlete's Foot is a common fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet. And it usually starts between the toes. 

 

Nail fungal infection of the nail bed, matrix or plate. Infected nails may become discoloured, thickened, brittle and produce foul odour. 

 

Scalp ringworm is a fungal infection that affects the scalp and hair shafts. Infected area of the scalp might start to bald and lose hair. 

 

How to treat ringworm infections

It’s usually recommended to use antifungal creams, ointments, or lotions that you can buy over the counter at chemists. 

Such as:

  • Lamisil (Terbinafine) 
  • Canesten (Clotrimazole)
  • Bleach

Lamisil is found in chemists as an over the counter cream

If ringworm affects your scalp use medicated antifungal shampoo. Available at most supermarkets or pharmacies. Look for active ingredients 

  • ketoconazole
  • selenium sulfide
  • pyrithione zinc.

 

Usually symptoms of ringworm should disappear after a couple of days up to 2 weeks.If the infection doesn't go away after two weeks of treating it at home. It is time to see a doctor. You might need stronger prescription creams or oral antifungal medicines. 

 

Symptoms of Staph Infection

As mentioned earlier staph is a bacterial infection. And when this bacterial infection is resistant to most antibiotics it becomes MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus). 

Common staph skin infections in combat sports

Boils are painful, pus-filled lumps that form under the skin when bacteria infect and inflame one or more hair follicles. They often occur on the face, neck, armpits, or buttocks.

Cellulitis is a deep skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain in the affected area. It often develops in areas where the skin has been broken, like cuts or insect bites.

Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection that causes red sores, usually around the nose and mouth, which burst and form honey-colored crusts. It commonly affects young teens


 

Abscesses are pockets of pus that develop in tissues, organs, or spaces inside the body due to an infection. They cause pain, swelling, and can feel warm to the touch.

Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles, leading to small, red bumps or white-headed pimples around hair follicles, often caused by bacteria or fungi.

Abscesses are pockets of pus that develop in tissues, organs, or spaces inside the body due to an infection. They cause pain, swelling, and can feel warm to the touch.

Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles, leading to small, red bumps or white-headed pimples around hair follicles, often caused by bacteria or fungi.

Boils are painful, pus-filled lumps that form under the skin when bacteria infect and inflame one or more hair follicles. They often occur on the face, neck, armpits, or buttocks.

Cellulitis is a deep skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain in the affected area. It often develops in areas where the skin has been broken, like cuts or insect bites.

Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection that causes red sores, usually around the nose and mouth, which burst and form honey-colored crusts. It commonly affects young teens


 

Staph bacteria can also enter deeper than soft tissue. Which is when staph bacteria become very dangerous and potentially become life threatening.

Bacteremia (Septicemia): Staph bacteria enter the bloodstream, causing a potentially life-threatening infection.


Endocarditis: An infection of the heart valves and inner heart lining, which can be severe and lead to heart failure.


Osteomyelitis: An infection of the bone that can cause pain and swelling in the affected area.


Septic Arthritis: Infection of a joint, leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the joint.


Staphylococcal Pneumonia: A lung infection that can occur after the flu or in people with weakened immune systems.

How to treat Staph Infection

Staph bacteria infection is significantly more dangerous compared to ringworm fungal infection. 

 

Given its potential to escalate quickly and cause severe health issues. It is strongly advised to take extra caution. If you suspect you have a staph infection, seeking prompt medical advice is imperative. 

 

For staph infections that have been left untreated and reach deeper into the body, affecting muscles or the tissues surrounding muscles, surgical cleaning might be necessary as a treatment. 

 

For infections that only affects the soft tissue and doctors often prescribe antibiotic ointment such as:

  • Bactroban (mupirocin)

What Causes Infections in Combat Sports

Close Contact with an Infected Person
In combat sports, skin to skin contact is unavoidable, which makes it easy for infections like ringworm and staph to spread from one person to another. Especially if one person is already infected.

Close contact in BJJ increases the risk of skin infections


Warmth and Sweat
Physical activity in combat sport creates warm and humid environment. Making it ideal for bacteria and fungi to thrive. Sweat can promote the growth of harmful microbes on the skin and cloth fabric. 


Skin Irritations Providing Entry Points for Bacteria
Minor skin irritations and cuts provide an entry for bacteria. Once these bacteria enter the skin, they can cause infections. Ranging from mild irritations like folliculitis. To more serious conditions like cellulitis or abscesses.


Dirty Equipment
Sharing gloves or pads that haven't been cleaned can harbor bacteria and fungi leading to infections. Regular disinfecting of training gear and mats is important to help minimise the risk of spreading infections in the gym.


Dirty Clothes Leading to Cross Contamination
Wearing dirty rash guards, shorts and Gis can lead to cross-contamination. Where bacteria gets transferred from clothing to the skin and to other people. 
 

NOTE:

Youtubetuber Field of Focus has a channel that tests different detergents. She's proven regular laundry detergent doesn't remove microbes off your clothes.

 

It's recommended to use laundry detergent made for athletic wear. That contains some sort of antibacterial agent in them. Or adding laundry sanitiser into your wash can help. 

 Practices for Staying Clean and Healthy

1. Washing Your Body with Natural Antibacterial Soap

Why It Matters: Showering after training is crucial to remove bacteria and fungi. Natural anti-microbial soap help kill harmful microbes on your skin. Natural ingredients like tea tree, eucalyptus, and lemon myrtle have proven anti-microbial properties. While being gentle on the skin.

 

Medicated soaps made with harsh chemicals like tolnaftate & chlorhexidine. They will kill both good and bad microbes on your body. That can disrupt your body’s natural defence. Leading to more frequent infections.

2. Washing Your Laundry with Antimicrobial Detergent

Why It Matters: Rash guards and Gi’s gets drenched in sweat. Which is the ideal breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Using antimicrobial detergent ensures these harmful microbes gets removed. Which help prevent skin infections from dirty clothes.  

3. Using Sanitiser

Why It Matters: Laundry sanitisers are effective at killing bacteria and fungi. But it's important to be cautious about the ingredients. Benzalkonium chloride. They've been linked to skin irritation, allergic reactions, and even contributing to antibiotic resistance.
Use anti-microbial agents with safer ingredients like silver ion. They are effective without harmful side effects​. 

5. Wearing the Proper Clothes: Rashguard, Spats

Why It Matters: Rash guards and compression shorts protect your skin from cuts, abrasions, and direct contact with bacteria or fungi. Providing physical barrier that prevent the spread of infections between training partners.

6. Mat and Equipment Cleaning with Antibacterial Wipes

Why It Matters: After training session, mats and equipment should be thoroughly cleaned with antibacterial wipes. This practice helps to kill any bacteria and fungi left behind. Prevent the spread of infections among athletes. Proper cleaning ensures surfaces are free from harmful microbes. 
Poster

Hi, I'm Jeff, and my martial arts journey began when I was just 5 years old. I started with Taekwondo and later transitioned into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and wrestling. 

 

With over a decade of grappling experience, I've trained at various gyms around Sydney, Australia, and visited many others worldwide, including in Thailand, Singapore, Germany, Taiwan, and Japan. 

 

Throughout my travels and training, I've noticed a common yet serious concern shared by every combat gym: athlete hygiene.

 

Maintaining good hygiene is crucial for staying healthy and performing at our best. My aim is to share what I've learned and help others understand the importance of keeping clean, both for personal wellbeing and to create a safer training environment for everyone.