The East Penn School District/OAA Skin Infection Policy follows in accordance with the Skin Infection Guidelines provided by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) sports medicine handbook, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) sports medicine committee, and the National Athletic Training Association (NATA) position statement on Infectious Skin Disease.
Skin infections in athletes are EXTREMELY common. Recognition of these diseases by certified athletic trainers, who represent the first line of defense against the spread of these infections to other team members, is absolutely essential.
The nature of athletics lends to an environment that may increase the risk of skin infection. A student-athlete’s stressed immune system, close contact with other individuals and surfaces and trauma to the skin resulting in small cuts, scrapes and abrasions all contribute to the student-athlete’s increased risk.
The most common skin infections include fungal infections, viral infections (herpes, simplex and molluscum contagiosum) and bacterial infections (impetigo, folliculitis, furuncles, carbuncles and MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus).