Turf burn injuries are unfortunately common among athletes who play sports like football or soccer that are frequently played on artificial turf and in which falls are common. They are caused by friction between the athlete’s naked skin and the synthetic turf as he or she slides on it after a fall or “dive”.
The friction and resulting heat can remove layers of skin and cause a great deal of pain to the athlete. In addition, the injured skin normally has an unsightly (sometimes raspberry coloured) appearance.
However, the greatest threat from a turf burn injury arises from infection. Even though an infection may initially be localized, it can in the absence of proper treatment become much more generalized and possibly even life threatening.
As a result, it is important when treating a turf burn to keep the infection risk to a minimum. If signs of infection do appear, it is important to recognize them and take the appropriate steps in a timely manner.
Below, we will describe the symptoms of turf burn injuries and provide hints to indicate when an infection may be present.
We will then lay out suggested steps for treating a turf burn, paying particular attention to what should be done to prevent infection.
Finally, we will suggest some steps that an athlete can take to minimize the risk of getting a turf burn injury in the first place.
The incidence of turf burns has grown in recent years in line with the increasing use of synthetic fields for soccer and football games.
More worryingly, a report by Begier, Frenette, Barrett et al has reported a connection between (i) high morbidity outbreaks of antibiotic resistant staph infections among athletic teams and (ii) both the increased incidence of turf burns and the greater popularity of cosmetic body shaving.
With these statistics, it is clear that the proper treatment of turf burns should be a high priority among athletic trainers responsible for protecting the health of athletes in their care.
The most noticeable symptom of a turf burn is the intense pain it causes over the injured area. Skin damage, in the form of a raspberry coloured patch, is usually also present, together with bleeding from the injured area.
However, as painful as the injury itself may be, the real danger comes from the potential it introduces for infections. The additional symptoms produced by a turf burn that is becoming infected include skin redness, swelling, blisters and pus oozing from the damaged skin.
The development of a fever is another possible sign of complications due to infection.
Should the athlete notice some or all of these signs of possible infection after experiencing a turf burn injury, he or she should seek medical help immediately.
Although the initial treatment of a turf burn injury (with no signs of infection) does not require a high level of medical training, timely treatment is vital.
It is also important that whoever is treating the injury avoids touching an open wound with his or her naked hands, as this could increase the infection risk.
Most of the items required for initial treatment of a turf burn injury can be found in a first aid kit such as the BriefCase.
Suggested steps for treatment are:
Unless an infection develops, the healing time for a turf burn injury should be a few weeks.
Although it is difficult to prevent these injuries entirely, you can reduce the risk of experiencing them if you:
Showing all 3 results
The Mueller Sports Medicine Multi Sport Knee Pad will provide protection from injuries such as bruises, bumps, burns or scrapes resulting from friction between your skin and the floor of the court or the turf of the playing field. The knee pad’s elastic material makes it easy to slide on. You will also enjoy the…
Use the Mueller Sports Medicine Performance Sleeve to cover scrapes, cuts, turf burns and other skin injuries. It will also protect your arm from further harm. The Performance Sleeve is made from smooth Lycra fabric . It also has a seamless design that helps prevent prevent skin welts, marks or other irritation. There are snug…
Mueller Sports Medicine ProStrips is a taping product to protect your fingers from blisters, turf burns, finger and hand abrasions, and calluses.
