The best way to prevent the spread of staph infections such as the antibiotic-resistant skin infection or "super bug" known as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus ("MRSA") among football players is to maintain good personal hygiene and avoid direct contact with skin lesions of other athletes.

Everyone associated with football teams, including players, coaches, teachers, parents, and administrators, can help prevent sports-related skin infections and should be aware of the prevention measures set out below.

MRSA prevention tips: CDC

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that:

• Sports team administrators be encouraged to provide facilities and equipment necessary to promote good hygiene, such as clean facilities and adequate supplies of soap and towels.

• Football coaches and parents should:

  • Encourage good player hygiene (e.g. keeping hands clean by washing with soap and water or using an antibacterial hand sanitizer)

  • Teach players to avoid sharing towels, razors or other personal items that come into contact with bare skin, use a barrier (e.g. clothing or towel) between their skin and shared equipment such as weight-training benches, and inform coaches about active skin infections;

  • Be taught to administer proper first aid,

  • Practice appropriate hand hygiene themselves, and

  • Implement a system to ensure adequate wound care and to cover skin lesions appropriately before play. 

MRSA prevention tips: football

The CDC also recommends the following specific steps to prevent the spread of skin infections among football players:

• Launder personal items such as towels and supporters after each use. The water should be at least 160 degrees; washing time should be 25 minutes or more. 

• Clean and cover all wounds. If an football player's skin is injured, it should be washed immediately with soap and warm water, dried and covered with a clean bandage. If a wound cannot be covered adequately, the program should consider excluding players with potentially infectious skin lesions from practice or competition until the lesions are healed or can be covered adequately;

• Encourage good hygiene, including washing hands often, using soap or a antibacterial gel or lotion, showering and washing with soap after every practice and game;

• Ensure availability of adequate soap and hot water;

• Discourage sharing of towels and personal items;

• Establish routine cleaning schedules for shared equipment. Shared athletic equipment, such as pads or helmets, should be cleaned or laundered at least once a week, but ideally after each use;

• Train athletes and football coaches in first aid for wounds and recognition of wounds that are potentially infected (remember that the MRSA risk is increased by playing on artificial turf);

• Encourage athletes to report skin lesions to coaches; and

• Encourage coaches to assess athletes regularly for skin lesions.

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