Herpes Gladiatorum
Herpes gladiatorum, also known as “mat herpes”, is a skin infection caused by herpes simplex virus, type 1 (HSV-1), the same virus that causes cold sores. It causes a rash usually on the head, face, neck, shoulders, arms, or trunk. If this infection gets in the eye, it can be serious and requires immediate medical attention.
Transmission
Anyone can get mat herpes, but the infection occurs more frequently in wrestlers and other athletes who have close physical contact with others. The virus can be spread via:
- Person to Person through direct skin-to-skin contact.
- A person can spread this virus until lesions are no longer present or a doctor determines the athlete is no longer infectious.
A past infection does not make a person immune. The virus can “hide out” in the nerves and reactivate later, causing another infection. Generally, recurrent infections are less severe and do not last as long. However, a recurring infection is as contagious as the original infection, therefore the same steps need to be taken to prevent it from infecting others.
Symptoms
Symptoms typically appear three to eight days after and can include the following:
- Rash generally lasts 10 to 14 days. There may be a later reoccurrence of the rash.
- Cluster of small blisters that may be painful or painless.
- Fever.
- Swollen lymph glands.
- Sore throat.
- Tingling on the skin.
Diagnosis
Consult your health care provider for a diagnosis. This will be done via a visual skin examination or through a viral culture for the herpes virus.
Treatment
There is no cure for mat herpes. A health care provider may prescribe an antiviral medication to reduce symptoms and may also reduce the number of times a person has mat herpes.
Prevention
Examine athletes for lesions on exposed skin and around their mouths or eyes before practice or competition. This should be done by a person familiar with this infection.
- Wash hands. Scrub with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. You can use an alcohol-based hand rub if your hands are not visibly soiled.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands.
- Shower using soap after each practice; use clean towels to dry yourself and do not share towels. Do not pick or squeeze skin sores; drainage is very infectious.
- Report any skin lesions or sores to your coaching staff immediately.
- Cleaning and disinfecting the environment and equipment daily
- Always use an EPA-approved cleaner according to the manufacturer’s directions.
- Ensure supplies for cleaning, and disinfection, are compatible with the surface or material you are cleaning.
- Wash mats and headgear after every practice or competition.
- Clean and disinfect locker rooms and shower areas daily.
If you have further questions about the treatment of your mat herpes, contact your health care provider
Exclusion Guidance
Individuals with mat herpes should not be excluded from work, school, or child care unless the general exclusions apply.
- Athletes participating in close-contact sports, such as wrestling, should be excluded from competition or practice until healing occurs or until a health care provider determines their condition is non-infectious.