The Importance of a Clean Wrestling Room

by Yvette Ingram, Lock Haven University (PA)

Consequences of an Unclean Mat

If a wrestling mat is not  cleaned properly athletes may catch skin diseases. Staphylococcal infections, ringworm, impetigo, and herpes simplex virus are the four most commonly seen in wrestling. One problem lies in the fact that not only can wrestlers catch skin disease from other teammates, they can also catch skin diseases from others who may use the wrestling room.  For example at Lock Haven University physical education classes also use the wrestling facilities.

How to Clean The Mat Mats should be cleaned twice daily with disinfectant cleaner.  Wrestling mats should be cleaned two or three hours before each practice or competition. Mats can  be cleaned with 1:100 household bleach and water, 70% Isoprypyl  alcohol or hydrogen peroxidem If for some reason a $2.00 bottle of bleach is not available Rubbing alcohol or peroxide can be used and has shown to be effective. Most of the literature recommends the bleach or a cleaning agent specifically designed to kill the HIV and Hep viruses. Only use rubbing alcohol and peroxide if nothing else is available.

How  can  skin diseases be prevented?

Keeping The Mat Clean
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All mats and walls should  be cleaned on a daily basis with a disinfectant cleaner such as a solution of 1:100 household bleach and water.  This solution should  be made everyday (5).

Street shoes should not be worn on a wrestling mat and wrestling shoes should not be worn off of a wrestling matt (6). This is where the physical education classes hinder the wrestling room  process, PE classes often just wear whatever shoes they wear outside.  

What wrestlers and coaches can do to stop the spread of skin  diseases:

General

• Do not  use  others  combs, brushes, hair ornaments, hats, scarves, towels, washcloths, socks or shoes.
• Never walk barefoot in public places.  If you must use a public shower  area  always wear shower shoes.
• After bathing or swimming dry your feet and in between your toes thoroughly.
• Do not involve yourself in any contact sports without wearing socks or shoes (3).
• Expose your feet to the air when you are at home. Change your socks and underwear frequently.
• Do not wear heavy clothing in warm weather that will cause you to sweat.
• Check your pets for areas of hair loss(4).
• Wrestlers should shower before and after workouts with disinfectant soap.
• Clothing  should  be washed daily including all towels (6).
• Wash hands frequently (5).

Wrestling

• Following each use of head gear the equipment should be wiped down with alcohol pads.
• Coaches should direct skin inspections on a daily basis.
• Wrestlers that have open wounds or any breaks in the skin should  be dissuaded from participating until the skin is healed or the wrestler has been allowed to participate by a licensed physician.  If a wrestler  is cleared to play, they should have the affected area covered to avoid any cross contamination form happening (6).
• If a wrestler believes they may have a skin  infection the athlete must notify a coach and athletic trainers as soon as possible.
• Ventilate the wrestling room with fans to lower the humidity and temperature.
• Neoprene sleeves and support braces  must   be wiped with a disinfectant after each use.
• All team  members  should  keep  their  finger nails short in order to avoid scratching anyone (5).
• If a wrestler  sees a skin lesion on his/her body,  s/he needs to get it checked immediately.  The wrestler should tell the coach about it, as well as seeing a physician at the first opportunity.  The athletic  trainer  should   also be made aware of the skin infection.