Abstract

Athletic activity may cause or aggravate skin disorders which may diminish athletic performance. Athletes must avoid painful sunburn. The most effective protection against excessive exposure to sunlight is use of sunscreens. Viral, bacterial and fungal infections are common in athletes due to heat, friction and contact with others. The treatments of herpes simplex, molluscum contagiosum and plantar warts are described in this article. Impetigo and folliculitis often develop after trauma. Diphtheroid bacteria in moist footwear may produce pitted keratolysis and erythrasma. Tinea pedis is common in athletes. Interdigital, dry-moccasin and pustular-midsole forms can be distinguished. Nail infections by a variety of organisms may appear as onycholysis with or without paronychia and should be treated with the appropriate antibiotics. Tinea versicolor occurs in heat and humidity. Since Pityrosporum orbiculare is part of the normal flora it often recurs, necessitating regular treatment. Acute trauma injuries include contusions, black heel or petichiae of the heel, black toe (bleeding under the nail), joggers nipple caused by chafing, and foot blisters. Chronic trauma may result in calluses, corns and paronychia. Sweat and friction may aggravate pre-existing psoriasis, acne, atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis may be caused by dyes, rubber chemicals or glues associated with sports equipment, by detergents or fabric softeners, plants, antibiotics or anaesthetic salves. Verf.-Referat (gekuerzt)