08: Ringworm

That's right folks. I got da funk - right on my face, neck, and left arm.

AAAAAGGGHHH! I am so frustrated!

Contrary to its name, ringworm is actually caused by a fungus, not a worm. Why did they have to give it that nasty name? I don't know - it only freaks people out more.

That's the harsh reality of any sport that involves practicing or competing on a mat or with boxing gloves. Even though our mats are sterilized between every class, you can't guarantee that the guy punching you in the face sterilized his gloves after punching the last guy in the face.

Along with this fungus, fighters and wrestlers also run the risk of staph infections (Staphylococcus Aureus) - which can be pretty serious if not treated immediately, and of course the famous cauliflower ears, which involves the cartilage in the ears growing out of control after repeated abuse.

According to the doctor I saw yesterday, ringworm is not contagious from skin to skin contact, though I have heard otherwise. He said you can transfer it to a non-human surface or contract it from a non-human surface.

According to some sources on the internet, you can spread it by skin to skin contact, so I don't know what to believe. To play it safe, I'm not going to go to Muay Thai or any other class until this clears up. I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable, and I don't want to spread it to any other surfaces at the gym.

Here is a link to one of the sites where I read about ringworm: http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/ringworm-of-the-skin-topic-overview

This throws a real monkey wrench into my scheduled workout plans, as I was supposed to begin my Strength & Conditioning classes this week, along with Boxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu the last week of this month. Now, they're all going to have to wait until at least the first week of February, and it wouldn't be wise to try to start them all in the same week.

Until then, I will be taking my meds prescribed for it and doing all non-contact exercises and conditioning. I can still lift weights, run, and punch the bags, so it looks like that's what I'll be doing for the next two weeks.

It sucks, but this is the reality of these kinds of sports. Hopefully, I'll some more exciting and less creepy stories for you in a few weeks.