Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin and nails that “plagues” grappling martial artists. It is common in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu because the conditions for the growth and spread of ringworm can often be found in BJJ gyms. And since fungal infections are mainly propagated through skin-to-skin contact, the spread of the infection is aided by the nature of BJJ which requires repeated physical contact in demonstrations and rolling.
Ringworm in BJJ is a common topic of discussion because of how fast it can spread within the gym, and due to the disruptive nature of the fungus when it becomes an outbreak. Many of the reasons why ringworm is rampant in BJJ can be attributed to a lack of knowledge about how to easily recognize, treat, and prevent its appearance and growth.
This article contains information on what ringworm is, and how to completely deal with it in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Read on to find out.
Common Causes of BJJ Ringworm
Ringworm (medically referred to as dermatophytosis) is neither a worm nor is it caused by a worm, as the name suggests. Rather, it is the appearance of the infection on the skin that resembles a circular “ring” worm.
The infection is typically caused by close to 40 types of fungus (dermatophytes) that could be of the Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, or Microsporum category. These types of fungi tend to thrive in warm, damp, and moist areas such as locker rooms and training gyms.
Sweat and Dirt on BJJ Mats
Sweat and dirt on gym mats provide the perfect environment for fungi to grow. Unclean mats, closets, clothes, and BJJ equipment also harbor germs that can aid the growth of infectious fungi. The fungi move from the mat to the skin during practice which is conducted with the students barefoot and with their hands and face exposed.
Dirty Equipment
It can also remain alive in clothes, bags, equipment, carpets, and floors, until it moves to the skin when a person comes in contact with the infected surfaces and materials.
Ringworm thrives on keratin-rich skin layers. It can spread all over the surface of the skin if it remains untreated. In some cases, the dermatophytes can attack beneath the skin layer if there is contact with an exposed injury.
You have a higher chance of getting infected with ringworm if you have a weakened immune system. Diabetic and HIV patients are especially prone to getting infected.
Sweaty People in Tight Quarters
Household crowding is also a massive cause of the appearance and transmission of ringworm in BJJ. The activity of sweating in tight training apparel for a long time in the same space as a multitude of others presents a good habitat for the fungi to nurture and spread.
You can get ringworm from rolling with an infected person or coming in contact with surfaces they have touched. There is an added risk of contracting the fungus when you:
- use public locker rooms, showers, and swimming pools;
- share towels and clothing materials.
Additionally, ringworm is a zoonotic disease, which means that it affects animals and humans alike. It can be transmitted from pets to humans or humans to pets, thus further propagating its spread.
Check out our popular article on how to treat and prevent mat burn
What Areas of the Body are Most Susceptible to Ringworm
Fungal infections can affect any part of the body. The dermatophytes that cause ringworm typically attack the scalp, skin, hair, and nails. Those parts of the body are rich in keratin which the fungus feeds on. The various types of ringworm are named after the part of the body they affect. Areas of the body which are most susceptible to ringworm include:
- Scalp
- Feet (commonly called ‘athlete’s foot’)
- Beard
- Groin (commonly referred to as ‘jock itch’ by martial arts insiders)
- Hands, arms, or legs
- Toenails or fingernails (also called onychomycosis)
The symptoms and stages of ringworm differ according to what area of the body they infect.
BJJ Ringworm on the Scalp
For ringworm on the scalp, it tends to start out as a small bump or sore. The scalp becomes tender to touch and may begin to feel flaky. The hair around the ringworm also tends to fall out in patches. The abundance of keratin in the hair on the scalp makes the fungi thrive on it. It may prove rather difficult to get rid of the infection in this area. Ringworm on the scalp is typically contracted when you share hats, headgear, combs, or hairbrushes with someone that has ringworm.
Ringworm on the Feet
Another common area for ringworm to appear on the bodies of BJJ practitioners is the feet, where it is more often known as athlete’s foot. The infection typically starts between the toes before it spreads to the under and sides of the feet. The skin between the toes turns white and becomes tender to touch. Athlete’s foot is a common type of ringworm in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu because training barefoot on unclean mats is perhaps the most viable way in which the fungus spreads.
BJJ Ringworm in the Groin
In the groin area, where a case of ringworm is called “jock itch”, the initial sign of infection is an itchy rash in the fold where the leg touches the body. It can then spread to the inner thighs, waist, and buttocks. Groin itch is typically gotten when you don’t uphold good BJJ training hygiene.
How to Treat BJJ Ringworm
BJJ Ringworm can just be as easily treated as it can be transmitted. This is why, despite being highly contagious, it is not so dangerous. The first step to getting treatment is recognizing the symptoms of infection. Regardless of the part of the body that is affected, the following general symptoms can be expected from any ringworm infection:
- raised, circular shapes with red outer edges form on the skin
- the skin becomes scaly and itchy
- the ring-like patches form blisters and may begin to bleed
Visit the Doctor
You should visit a doctor promptly when you notice these early signs. A doctor will carry out a diagnosis that involves examining the site of the fungal infection and making some inquiries about your medical history. A small scraping of your skin may be looked at under a microscope to confirm the characteristics of the fungus responsible for the infection.
Other skin problems such as psoriasis (which is not contagious) can be confused with ringworm in BJJ. Hence the need for a professional diagnosis.
Your doctor may prescribe topical or systemic medication depending on the type of ringworm you have.
Topical Medication
Topical medication is prescribed to treat ringworm in its early stages on the skin and groin. You will be advised to thoroughly apply antifungal creams such as miconazole, clotrimazole solution, and ketoconazole once or twice a day on the infected area. This method of treatment will continue for about four weeks even after all signs of the infection vanish.
Much like antifungal creams, antifungal soaps also work to treat and prevent the appearance of ringworm on the skin. The Defense Antifungal Bar Soap and body wipes are effective choices for fighting against ringworm in BJJ.
For Severe Cases of BJJ Ringworm
For severe or extensive cases of ringworm on the skin, and for ringworm on the scalp, systemic medication is the usual prescription. Your doctor may prescribe oral antifungal drugs (tablets) such as terbinafine, griseofulvin, or itraconazole (which is particularly effective for nail infections). When using these drugs, you may experience the following side effects:
- headache
- decrease in appetite
- indigestion
- nausea
- painful joints and muscles
These side effects are usually minor and temporary. However, the medication should not be taken without a doctor’s prescription. Patients with a history of liver disease should NOT use terbinafine.
Antifungal shampoo may also be used alongside medication to speed up your recovery from scalp ringworm.
When treating ringworm it is advisable to stay off the mats until the infection is totally gone. This will keep you from getting reinfected and potentially spreading the disease to other students.
BJJ Ringworm Treatments to Avoid
There are multiple home remedies for treating BJJ ringworm yourself. Some essential oils such as lemongrass oil, coconut oil, oregano oil, and tea tree oil are known to possess strong antifungal properties. You will need to first make sure your skin is not allergic to any of these oils before using them continuously.
Plants such as aloe vera and turmeric may also work to treat ringworm.
Another common home remedy for treating ringworm and other fungal infections is apple cider vinegar. However, the use of this as an alternative treatment has been medically discouraged. It may have adverse effects on the skin and lead to open sores at the site of the infection.
How to Prevent BJJ Ringworm
The ease with which it can be transmitted makes ringworm one of the most difficult fungal infections to control. It is much easier to prevent the fungus from growing than it is to try to clamp it down. Personal and collective hygienic measures need to be followed to avoid a ringworm outbreak.
Adopting the following cleanliness steps can help prevent the growth and spread of Ringworm in BJJ:
Avoid Showing Up For Training Dirty:
It is your responsibility as a BJJ student to practice good hygiene. Endeavor to always shower and wear clean uniforms before hitting the mats. The first step in preventing ringworm in BJJ involves upholding your own personal hygiene. In our article about BJJ open mat and what to expect, we share some useful hygienic practices to follow when you’ll be in training with many other students.
Keep Your Training Gear Clean:
Before coming in contact with other people, your skin directly touches your grappling apparel first. You need to properly wash your shorts, singlet, rash guard, spats, gi, headgear, and belt after every training or rolling session.
Many BJJ students try to avoid washing their gis because of how heavy it is. But this is the major reason why the gi should be washed, as it tends to retain quite a bit of sweat. Hence, it provides a good environment for fungi to grow.
Using your gi multiple times without washing almost guarantees that you get ringworm. Rather, washing your gi (and adding some white vinegar to your detergent solution) helps to get rid of the dirt, smell, and fungi that accumulate during training. Washing with white vinegar may also help your gi last longer.
Shower Immediately After Training:
It sounds gross to think about but there are people who do not shower immediately after practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It is highly recommended that you shower with antifungal soap after training.
In case you have been exposed to the fungi that cause ringworm during contact with an infected person, equipment, or mat, bathing with antifungal soap 30-60 minutes after training can help kill the fungi and protect you from infection. If you cannot shower immediately you can use body wipes as a temporary alternative.
Train With Rash Guards and Spats:
Rash guards and spats are grappling training gear that protects the body from full skin-to-skin contact. They also help regulate your body temperature and absorb sweat. So in the course of rolling, less sweat gets on your training partner and the mat. Sanabul rash guards are good quality and affordable rash guard options for BJJ students .
Clean the Gym and Training Equipment Regularly:
While BJJ students have to exercise good hygienic practices, gyms also have a part to play as well. Mats that have not been cleaned in a long time provide a fertile surrounding for fungi and bacteria to flourish.
The amount of dirt and dry sweat that accumulates after every session should be enough to encourage gyms to clean the mats as often as possible. But washing BJJ mats can seem like a daunting task, which is why many gyms and academies shy away from it.
This video shows a great example of how to properly clean mats after training. And it is not such a herculean task after all! Gyms should also try to regularly disinfect the locker rooms, training equipment, and the entire training area to prevent fungal growth.
Avoid Sharing Gear or Clothing:
It goes without saying that you should completely avoid sharing clothing, towels, and training gear with other people while practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Students can carry the fungi that cause ringworm without showing any physical symptoms yet. So sharing clothing materials in the gym exposes you to the risk of infection as much as training on unclean mats. It should be avoided at all costs.
Conclusion
Good hygiene is something you have to exercise when practicing sports. In full contact sports such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu you have to take proper measures to ensure your protection as well as the protection of other students from fungal infections.
Ringworm in BJJ is nothing to be afraid of. Being well-informed about its causes and symptoms will help you prepare better for preventing it.
Ringworm can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal creams and drugs depending on the area of the body affected and the extent to which the infection has spread. Antifungal soaps also contribute to your safety from the disease and your recovery from it.
Home remedies may also be used to treat ringworm, however, the use of apple cider vinegar should be avoided.
It is far better to implement the steps we listed above to prevent ringworm in the first place. A bad outbreak of ringworm can have troublesome effects on your experience in training BJJ. This is because it can force gyms to be closed down for prolonged periods and competitions to be called off.
You have a responsibility to uphold good hygiene as a BJJ student. Gyms and academies also have their own part to play. If you have reservations about the cleanliness of your gym then you should speak up and encourage regular cleaning.
With good personal and collective sanitary measures, ringworm can become the least of your worries in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We wish you luck with your training and remember to remain clean.