Tinea corporis gladiatorum: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Tinea corporis gladiatorum has been an infrequently reported condition in the dermatological literature. Two previous reports have investigated wrestlers during recognized epidemics of tinea corporis gladiatorum, but no study has examined wrestlers to determine the point prevalence of tinea corporis gladiatorum in a team without a known epidemic. Furthermore, no comparative study exists.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to determine the prevalence of tinea corporis gladiatorum in high school wrestlers in comparison with high school indoor track athletes.

METHODS: Members of both the high school wrestling and indoor track teams were examined for the presence of tinea corporis. Students with clinical lesions of tinea corporis were evaluated with potassium hydroxide examination. The prevalence of tinea corporis in each group was compared.

RESULTS: Seven of the 29 high school wrestlers (24%) had lesions of tinea corporis. No members of the track team had evidence of tinea corporis. There was a statistical difference between the two groups (P =.005).

CONCLUSION: Tinea corporis gladiatorum can be found quite frequently among high school wrestlers. Because infection with dermatophytes can disqualify a wrestler from competing in matches, vigilant surveillance and rapid initiation of therapy can reduce the suspension of a team's practice and competition.