The chance of developing a skin infection exists with any contact sport where bacteria can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact and sharing towels or equipment.

Given that wrestling requires athletes to get really up close and personal, the sport has historically had a particularly high incidence of various types of skin disease.

In this edition of A Visit to the Training Room, Kai Aboulian, an athletic trainer and physical therapist at Foundry Sports Medicine in Providence, discusses ways to avoid picking up an infection and signs to watch for in case you already have one:

Observing proper hygiene can go a long way in avoiding developing an infection.

Some simple steps that wrestlers can take:

* Always report any skin infection or rashes to the athletic trainer or your coach for examination. Don't risk infecting your entire team. These problems can be cleared up in a few days if attended to immediately.

* Keep your hair short. Use shampoo with selenium sulfide in it. (for example, Selsun Blue). Check with your doctor if you have any skin allergies.

* Shower with antibacterial soaps and cleansers after each practice, match or tournament. There are several agents on the market for pre-wrestle protection as well as post-wrestle cleansing.

* Keep fingernails short and trimmed back to skin to avoid scratching and open wounds.

* Keep wrestling clothes clean. Hit the mat with only clean practice clothing and wrestling gear. Even shoes, knee pads and headgear should be washed at least weekly.

* Wrestling shoes should only be worn in the gym. Stones and debris can rip mats and injure wrestlers. There are disinfectant sprays for shoes, gear and gym bags. Periodically air out your gym bag, as well.

* Don't share wrestling gear, hygiene products, clothing, food or drink containers with others. This can contribute to massive illness and outbreaks within a team.

* Problems are compounded when wrestlers ignore cleaning routines. Be part of a clean team.

* In general, make sure that you keep your immune system up by maintaining a healthy diet, and getting enough rest. This is crucial for fighting infections of any kind and for preventing recurrent herpetic lesions.

* Be aware of the symptoms of various infections and diseases:

Gladiatorum: Lesions on the face, neck or head that are often accompanied by a headache or fever.

Chicken Pox ( Varicella): A viral disease accompanied by a low-grade fever, and is followed by a rash that quickly develops into small blisters.

Ringworm (Tinea Infections): A Fungal or Dermatophyte infection of the scalp or the skin which includes an itchy or flaky rash. The signs are: small, scaly, sharply marginated plaque with pink or red color.

Impetigo: A streptococcyl- or staphlococcyl-based bacterial infection that occurs on the surface of the skin.

Folliculitis: A staph-based bacterial infection of hair follicles.

If you suspect you have any of the above infections, contact your physician immediately to receive the proper treatment.

If you have a specific sports medicine question for Kai, e-mail it to him at kai@foundrysportsmedicine.com.

(Some of the above information was obtained from the National Collegiate Athletic Association.)