Impetigo, Ringworm and other wrestling related funguses - what to know

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Impetigo - this is a pretty nasty fungus that occurs usually around the mouth and nose, with a larger risk of the fungus appearing around the ears, and in places where cuts and aberrations are in wrestlers. This is due mostly to headgear and cuts, when wrestlers don’t wash their headgear and ears after matches. Impetigo (Im-peh-TIE-go) causes small wells of pus around the mouth or nose, with the ear variation creating a small crust in the ear. Impetigo also creates acne like bumps around the affected area. Some treatments are the physical cream, which you apply to the affected skin and it should work in a couple of weeks to a month, and the pill treatment, which will get rid of it in around 4 to 7 days. The pill version should be used before every mealtime, or 3 times a day. The cream should be applied throughout the day, making sure the affected area is covered. As a side note, the pill tastes really bad, so it is recommended to take it faster than normal.

Ringworm - this is one of the most common skin funguses for wrestlers out there. Highly contagious, Ringworm is transmitted through touch, cuts in the skin, or just through dirty mats and gear. Again, always wash your gear. Ringworm starts as just another spot in the skin, developing into an itchy, circular ring. The middle of the fungus is usually clear, with the outside ring having a sort of crust looking rash. Some different kinds of Ringworm include Athletes foot, which is an itchy rash on the feet, which cracks and damages the skin, scalp Ringworm, which causes bald spots in the hair, and toenail Ringworm, which creates discolored nails. Ringworm can be treated using commonly used cream and pills, the cream can take 2 or more weeks of constant use to be treated, while the pill version can take a week to a month to work.

An image of scalp Ringworm in a Late stage

Jock itch - this is pretty common in athletes, specifically ones who sweat a lot. This contagious fungus appears in the warm, moist areas of the body, like the inside of the thighs and the groin. Jock itch looks a lot like Ringworm, with instead of a crust like edge on the affected area, it looks like a red spot, kind of looking like you pressed into a shag carpet too hard for a while. In the long term, the infection can go from a red spot, to a darker bruise like spot, and can also enlarge. This fungus can be transmitted through touch, infected mats/areas, and by sharing contaminated clothing. For some reason, this fungus is also reported to produce an unpleasant odor, something like mold or yeast might give off. Jock itch is best treated with over the counter creams like Lamasil, and should clear up in around 7 days or so.

In conclusion, all of these funguses occur with bad hygiene and dirty clothing, so always wash yourself, and your gear.

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Sources

“Jock Itch.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 21 Mar. 2025, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/jock-itch/symptoms-causes/syc-20353807.

“Impetigo, Contagious Skin Infection: Causes, Treatment & Prevention.” Cleveland Clinic, 6 Nov. 2025, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15134-impetigo.

“Ringworm (Tinea Corporis): What It Looks like, Causes & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 31 Dec. 2025, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4560-ringworm.

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Noah Lewis is a 10th grader at the white and blue school of Poudre high school. This is his first year in Poudre Press. He is also an avid wrestler, who wrestles year round. Other hobbies he enjoys include mountain biking, collecting sports memorabilia/cards, camping, and playing video games.