(This Article includes facts from Yahoo news, USA Hockey Magazine, & others)

Staphylococcus aureus or “Staph” are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Sometimes these bacteria cause infections, most of which are minor and can be readily treated with antibiotics but they can also cause more serious infections. MRSA (methycillin resistant bacteria) is a type of staph that is resistant to the usual antibiotics. About 1% of the population is colonized with these harder to treat bacteria. Though most infections with MRSA occur in a hospital or health care setting, the incidence in the community setting is growing and that is the source of the concern for sports teams.

A staph infection most commonly looks like an infected pimple or boil, and can be red, swollen, painful and have discharge. It can be mistaken for an insect or spider bite. A staph infection can develop from an abrasion or “turf burn”. More serious complications such as pneumonia or systemic infection can also result. The infection is spread by skin to skin contact, or contact with contaminated objects such as bandaids, razors, clothing or athletic equipment.

Open cuts or scrapes on hands become subject to infection when players put their hands into dirty hockey gloves. The same is true for other players’ equipment that comes in direct contact with the skin and is not kept clean and dry between usage. A closed hockey bag with wet equipment in a warm house is the perfect place to encourage bacteria and germ growth.

Keeping your equipment clean and dry can help prevent an infection.

The most effective way to prevent the spread of MRSA is through good personal hygiene.

• Keep hands clean by washing frequently or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. ALWAYS wash hands thoroughly after hockey and before eating.
• Any wound, cut or abrasion should be cleaned and covered at the time of the injury and kept clean and covered until healed. With any sign of infection (redness, warmth, swelling, pain and/or drainage), consult your health care provider. AVOID Walking around locker rooms with bare feet.
• Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
• Avoid sharing personal equipment such as towels or athletic equipment.
• Shower daily and as soon as possible after games or practices. ALWAYS remove damp clothing between games and keep it away from clean clothing.
• Report suspicious skin lesions to the school nurse, coach or parent. EARLY TREATMENT IS IMPORTANT and ELIMINATES Further Exposure to others! Clean surfaces of athletic equipment after use. ALWAYS Dry out your equipment ASAP (equipment drying stands are great for this) and clean or treat surfaces regularly.