THEME INTRODUCTION
T
he skin is the body’s first line of defense
against the external environment. Protection
is not its sole purpose, however; its functions
are manifold, including several mechanisms to
help keep the body healthy and safe. Of all our
sensory organs, the skin provides us with the
most information about our external environment. Our awareness of heat and cold and
ability to distinguish between sharp, dull, soft,
and hard objects are vital to daily functions.
The skin maintains a constant internal temperature and protects us
from fluid loss. When it is
compromised its ability to
function is weakened, increasing the risk of dehydration, sensory deficit,
infection, and a host of contagious and noncontagious
conditions.
Athletic trainers and
therapists need to be familiar with common skin conditions that can change the
way the integumentary system functions and affect athletes and their performance.
Mark Leski, in “Common Dermatological Conditions in Sports,” reviews environmental, traumatic, and infectious causes of skin conditions.
Photographs of selected conditions will help
in identifying and assessing them. Dr. Leski
provides prevention tips and treatment protocols that often combine topical and systemic
medications.
Reporting sexually transmitted diseases is
often embarrassing for athletes. Encouraging
them to report all rashes no matter where they
are located is imperative if a rash is to be identified and appropriately treated. A rash associ-
ATHLETIC THERAPY TODAY
ated with a sexually transmitted disease can
affect systemic functioning and result in longterm consequences if left untreated. In “When
Is a Skin Rash More Than Just a Rash?” Ben
Velasquez emphasizes the importance of obtaining a sexual-behavior history when evaluating skin conditions. Graphic photographs
emphasize the need for quick identification
and proper referral.
The skin’s response to treatment as a result of touch is described in “Massage and Skin
Conditions.” As more athletic trainers and
therapists become licensed massage therapists, the need to understand how massage
can affect skin conditions becomes more critical. Bill Whitehill explains the benefits and
limitations of massage to the skin and identifies massage techniques (lymphatic drainage,
reflexology, and Shiatsu) that can be safely
used on athletes with certain skin conditions.
Early identification, detection, and proper
treatment of skin cancer often determine the
difference between life-threatening and non-lifethreatening consequences. We are in a prime
position to observe abnormalities and changes
in the skin of our athletes. Lori Dewald provides
a primer on the ABCDs of skin cancer.
My article on lupus, rare among athletes,
explains how it can affect wound healing. The
following case study on problematic healing
after ACL-reconstructive surgery is an interesting case of an athlete with the lupus gene.
As I developed this theme, the list of skin
conditions that could have been presented
became never-ending. I hope the topics chosen give you a new respect for the role we
have in preventing, identifying, and treating
skin disorders in athletes.
Malissa Martin, EdD, ATC, CSCS
Theme Coordinating Editor
MAY 2002 ❚ 7