Dealing with Boils in Active People

 Dealing with Boils in Active People

            Introduction

A common dermatological condition in physically active people is boils. The condition is highly prevalent in athletes especially those playing contact sports due to its transfer through skin-to-skin contact. A common type of boil occurrence is a methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which is known for its resistance to common antibiotic medication. We shall analyze various aspects of boils in physically active populations for a better understanding.

Discussion

Nature of the Problem

A boil is a bump on the skin that is filled with pus. The pimple is more painful and can be yellowish. Boils result from infections of the hair follicle leading to the skin around the follicle to die (NCBI, 2018). The dead skin leaves a hollow pus-filled space that is known as an abscess (Shallcross et al., 2015). Several boils can occur in the same area which is referred to as a carbuncle (NCBI, 2018).  Some boils may resolve by themselves. Young athletes are often affected by the condition and have a risk of being life-threatening where they manage to penetrate the bloodstream. Some of the common areas where boils can be found include armpits, face, back, and thighs.

Transmission

Boils are highly infectious. They are easily passed from person-to-person through contact. This makes them quite common in athletes. The infection-causing bacteria are often spread through skin-to-skin contact. Also, there is a high risk of contracting the infection by sharing personal items such as towels and other sporting equipment (URMC, 2020). Another way by which the bacteria can be passed is through poor hygiene. Poor hand washing practices before and after sports can lead to further infections. Another major way by which infections are transmitted is through injuries which may allow for bacteria to penetrate through the skin.

Prevention

There are several tips by which athletes can reduce the risk of being infected. To begin with, there is a need to exercise adequate hygiene by carefully dressing wounds. Also, there is a need to wash hands using liquid soap. Liquid soap is preferable to bar soap as it minimizes the risk of leaving the bacteria on the soap (URMC, 2020). Athletes can also use alcohol-based sanitizers in the event there is no soap and water. Other self-care practices that are useful in preventing the occurrence of boils are prompt showering after taking part in sporting activities and avoiding sharing of toiletries and towels. Protective gear is important for a reduction in cuts and bruises in contact sports which may be avenues for contracting the bacteria.

Presenting in Individuals

There are various ways by which the condition may present itself. To begin with, the condition may appear as a red bump which is red and may be painful. The swelling is under the skin and is hard to touch. This is followed by the leaking of pus.  The skin that is around the boil may be hot or warm to the feeling of touch. The bump also grows relatively quickly. Other symptoms may include the development of fever, body aches, and chills. In some extreme cases, there may be shortness of breath.

Treatment

Various treatment choices are available for boils. The healthcare provider may drain any of the fluid-filled sores. The healthcare provider may also choose to have the patient disinfected by having them wash their bodies in water that is diluted with bleach. To add on, there is a need to disinfect the equipment and environment to avoid a re-infection. Various antibiotics are used to treat boils that are available over-the-counter. They include amoxicillin, erythromycin, and ampicillin. There may be a need to test a sample of the boil to determine the most effective antibiotic.

Participation

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) places various guidelines that are aimed at the creation of a conducive environment for players especially student-athletes. The NCAA places great importance on the occurrence of boils in student-athlete leagues. The decision to participate in sports for people with boils is determined by an on-site physician (Klossner, 2013). This is particularly important for wrestlers with the status being predetermined at the time of a tournament or meet. The decision that the onsite physician makes is considered to be final. The guidelines include a previous 48-hours being infection-free, completion of a 72-hour antibiotic period (Klossner, 2013).

Conclusion

In conclusion, boils are a common occurrence among many young athletes. The condition is caused by the bacteria staphylococcus aureus. Several boils may form together to form a carbuncle. Boils present as hard lumps that progress to leak pus with a yellowish color. The presence of boils in young athletes poses a high risk of spread as such, the NCAA has placed various policies to determine the participation of athletes with a history of the infection. Individually, there is a need to practice high levels of hygiene to reduce the risk of contracting or passing the infection to other individuals. There is also a need to disinfect the surrounding areas to avoid reinfection.

References

Klossner, D. (2013). 2013-2014 NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook. Retrieved from https://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/SMHB%20Mental%20Health%20INterventions.pdf

NCBI (2018). Boils and Carbuncles: Overview. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513141/

Shallcross, L. J., Hayward, A. C., Johnson, A. M., Petersen, I. (2015). Incidence and recurrence of boils and abscesses within the first year: a cohort study in UK primary care. British Journal of General Practice. 65(639): e668-e676

URMC (University of Rochester Medical Center). (2020). Preventing MRSA in Athletes. Retrieved from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=160&ContentID=27