Abstract
Objective: To determine distribution of dermatologic disease among major league baseball (MLB) players and compare the distribution to that seen in the general population.Design: Cross Sectional SurveySetting: Data was collected via anonymous, online, randomized survey in January 2017.Participants: Head athletic trainers for 25 MLB teamsMain Outcome Measures: The distribution of dermatologic disease encountered by MLB athletic trainers for players versus non-player personnel.Results: The 3 most commonly encountered dermatologic conditions for MLB trainers among baseball players were blisters, contact dermatitis, and nail problems including onychomycosis. In contrast, the 3 most common dermatoses seen among the non-player personnel control group were rash, tinea, and concerning skin lesion which more closely resembled the distribution of skin diseases among the general population.Conclusions: MLB players experienced a different mix with a greater proportion of mechanical, infectious, and contact related skin conditions likely due to the baseball-related activities that impact on these athletes’ skin on a day-to-day basis. The prevalence of the dermatologic disorders noted in the study reinforces the importance of focused dermatologic education for trainers to enhance player care. Keywords: baseball; MLB; dermatology; disease distribution; blisters; contact dermatitis; mechanical skin injury; elite athletes
Highlights
The most common injuries that impact athletes are skin related.[1]
The 3 most common dermatoses seen among the non-player personnel control group were rash, tinea, and concerning skin lesion which more closely resembled the distribution of skin diseases among the general population
Major League Baseball (MLB) players experienced a different mix with a greater proportion of mechanical, infectious, and contact related skin conditions likely due to the baseball-related activities that impact on these athletes’ skin on a day-to-day basis
Summary
The most common injuries that impact athletes are skin related.[1]. Professional baseball players are subjected to physical and environmental stressors which may interrupt their skin’s protective barrier.[2]. These factors place athletes at higher risk for infection, mechanical skin injury, and exacerbation of pre-existing conditions that may inhibit their athletic performance or keep them off the field. Athletic trainers (ATs) play a critical role in allowing baseball players to perform at the highest possible level. They must be able to identify and manage common dermatologic problems. Multiple sports associated dermatoses have been described[1,2], but the distribution of skin disease specific to baseball players, to our knowledge, has not yet been investigated. The purpose of this study was to examine the most common dermatoses Major League Baseball (MLB) ATs encounter among their team’s players and compare this disease spectrum to what is seen in their non-player personnel and the general public
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