martial arts classes

When I was 17 I developed a skin inflection from training Martial Arts bare-chested.  I did not wear a t-shirt or a martial arts uniform top called the gi.  After a doctor’s office visit and skin pigment damage on my abdominals that I still have to this day, I was told by the doctor I had a form of a fungus or fungi- infection.  It was caused by making contacted with another person or the training area surface.

Fast forward a few months later during the same year, I found myself developing a new type of rash on my arm during training in Hawaii.  The year was 1997.  This new rash was different and was like having small patches of bumps on my elbow.  I never went to the doctors for this one skin inflection because with a little of hydrocodone cream the rash would go away over night or on the second day.  Over the years, I would continue to get this skin inflection during a summer months always on my left arm.

Finally, by the end of the year, I had arrived to a small circle pattern on my neck.  I knew what it was the moment I saw it in the mirror of my mother’s car.  Right before I was going to ask her to drive me to the doctors, I remember the training session I had the day before.  It was with a drop-in student that asked to train with me during open mat.  I never met this person before.  While we were rolling I saw a skin infection on his wrist.  I was hoping that he did not make contact with me or that my gi would protect me.  However, on the Sunday afternoon in my mother’s car, I asked her to drive me to the doctor.  And he told me what I already knew, “Tony welcome to the worm!”  I turned to my mother and said, “I knew it was ringworm!”  The good news was I caught ringworm early and after a little bit of Lotrimin antifungal cream, it cleared up what seemed overnight.

This was year to learn about the importance of being very clean with my Martial Arts training.  Over the years, I have been able to avoid and protect myself from the other major skin infections related to fungi and bacteria by following these rules:
1) Wear A Clean Kimono-  Yes, the magic of the gi as a training tool will also help with hygiene!
2) If training no-gi, wear a clean long sleeve rash guard like a surfer!
3) Take a hot shower no longer then 45 minutes or up to an hour after your training.
4) Look at your body in the mirror- Yes… Do it often and check your back, hair lines and hard to see areas for infections.  If it itches you, check it out!
5) Don’t train with a skin infections or open cuts on your body.
6) Don’t train with others with infections or open cuts on their body.
7) Train Martial Arts in a clean environment and asked how the mats and training areas are being cleaned.
8) Don’t be afraid to ask your instructor or your doctor if you have a skin inflection.

9) Have in your home: antifungal cream and hydrocodone cream for your skin, and also have other cleaning products for your equipment.

My best,

Prof. Tony Pacenski
2nd Degree Black Belt
BJJ Revolution Team

martial arts classes

Elite Training Center
1628 South Pacific Coast Highway,
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 543-1600
www.elitetrainingcenter.net

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