The incidence of skin-related infectious diseases has been estimated at 8.5% of high school sports-related conditions and injuries and 20.9% of college sports-related conditions and injuries.
2 About half of these skin infections affect the head, face, or neck, likely secondary to direct skin-to-skin contact with infected opponents.
2 Among high school athletes, the prevalence of skin infections in major categories is as follows: bacteria, 30%; herpes viruses, 20%; and tinea fungi, 20%.
2 Among collegiate athletes, the prevalence of skin infections have been reported as follows: herpes viruses, 47%; impetigo, 37%; tinea fungi, 7%; cellulitis, 6%; and methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), 3%.
2 Specific to herpes gladiatorum, numerous authors have estimated overall prevalence at about 20% of sports-related skin infections.
2-4
The incidence of contracting a skin infection from direct contact while competing against an infected athlete is 33%.
3,5 Reported statistics from Minnesota State Wrestling Tournaments between 1997 and 2006 revealed an incidence of skin infections between 2.5 to 3.7 of 100 individual competitors, with the highest incidence reported in urban areas.
6,7 The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) wrestling injury database statistics from 1988 through 2004 show the incidence of skin infections at an estimated 0.98 of 1000 athlete exposures (with exposure defined as equivalent to 1 practice or game).
8 Yard et al
2 documented that 70% of athletes with skin infections miss fewer than 7 days of sports before return to play.