IntroductionDermatological diseases are common in sportsmen. Therefore, physicians practicing sports medicine must be aware of the risks of possible skin disorders associated with different types of sports. Various studies exist that discuss the relation of skin lesions with type of sports such as athletics, swimming, wrestling and also soccer players. Soccer is a sport in which the foot is susceptible to acute and chronic mechanical injuries, as well as increased sweating and occlusion during trainings [1]. Also many factors such as training environment, climate and education levels may contribute the occurrence of these lesions. Present literature has only limited data on the evaluation of possible dermatological conditions in soccer players' feet and associated factors. Most of the studies on soccer players involve skin health as a whole, and discusses aspects such as traumatic lesions, infections, contact dermatitis, environmental encounters and exacerbation of pre-existing dermatoses [2,3]. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate possible dermatological disorders and associated factors in soccer players.
FindingsThis cross sectional study was conducted in North Cyprus. Forty young Turkish Cypriot soccer players were included in the study with their consent, as well as the consent of their families and team. Demographic features such as age, education level were recorded, along with foot care features (such as wearing of socks, usage of different products, washing and drying attitudes and factor related to shoes). Feet of all players were examined by a dermatologist and a sports physician. All the lesions were recorded, along with the site of occurrence, symmetry and diagnosis. Further mycological, bacteriological and other screening tests were done to clarify the diagnosis. Diagnoses were classified into 4 groups: bacterial infection, fungal infections, dermatoses and traumatic lesions. Microbiological results were also classified as: (a) No colonization in culture medium; (b) Bacterial (normal flora); (c) Pathogenic bacteria; and (d) Mycoses. Statistical analysis were done by using SPSS software program.1 Near East University Hospital, North Cyprus Correspondence: Kaya Süer Email: kayasuer@mynet.com We questioned the foot care habits and determined the frequency of skin and nail lesions in young soccer players. 40 players joined the study. The mean age, height, and weight means of the subjects were 15.2 ± 2.3 years, 166.8 ± 11.5 cm and 56.1 ± 12.9 kg, respectively. The average years in sports were 5.9 ± 3.0 years. 26 players. Twenty six players (65.0%) had type 2 skin characteristics, while 13 players (32.5%) and 1 player (2.5%) had type 3 and type 4, respectively. The foot care habits of the players have been summarized in table 1, whereas table 2 gives the results of the physical examination which was performed to determine possible skin and nail lesions. There was no relation between the types of skin or nail lesions (traumatic, viral, fungal or bacterial) and foot care habits of the players...