Staph Infections in Wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu: A Prevention Checklist

Why wrestlers and grapplers get staph

Wrestling and jiu-jitsu check every box for how staph spreads. Public-health guidance sums it up as crowding, frequent skin-to-skin contact, broken skin, shared or contaminated items, and gaps in cleanliness.² A single round can involve all five: mat burns and scrapes, a training partner’s sweat, a shared mat, and a gi that sat in a bag overnight.

Most of the time, staph lives on skin or in the nose without causing trouble. The problem starts when it gets into a cut or scrape. That’s why the habits below focus on two things: keeping skin intact and covered, and cutting down how much staph you pick up and carry around.

Before training

• Check your skin. Look for new cuts, scrapes, and anything red or tender.
• Cover every cut or scrape with a clean, dry bandage that will stay put.
• Skip training if you have an open wound you can’t cover, or a spot that looks infected.
• Trim your nails so you don’t scratch your partners (or yourself).
• Bring your own water bottle and towel.

On the mat

• Wear a clean gi or rash guard every single session.
• Keep shoes off the mat, and flip-flops on everywhere else.
• Don’t share towels, razors, or gear.
• Tell your coach if you notice a suspicious spot on yourself or a partner.

After training

• Shower as soon as you can after class, with soap, before you do anything else.
• Wash your gi and rash guard after every session. Follow the care label, and dry them completely.
• Don’t leave damp gear in your bag. Take it out the moment you get home.
• Wash your belt, knee pads and bag regularly too.

What your gym should be doing

Good academies clean and disinfect the mats every day, using a product registered for the job and following the label’s contact time.² They also have a clear rule for skin issues: if in doubt, sit out until a doctor clears you. If your gym doesn’t do either, it’s fair to ask.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if you have a bump or patch that is red, swollen, warm, painful, or has pus, especially if it’s getting worse or you have a fever. Don’t try to drain it yourself, and don’t train until you’re cleared. Staph and ringworm can look alike early on, and they need different treatment.