Gloria Beim, MD is the physician for the US National Track Cycling Team, a member of the Olympic Sports Medicine Organization, and the author of The Female Athlete’s Body Book (McGraw-Hill). An accomplished athlete herself, Dr. Beim founded Alpine Orthopaedics & Sports Performance and Regional Hand Center.on the Western Slope of the Colorado Rockies. In an interview, she cited some of the common female athletes’ skin problems and what to do about them:
Body Acne
Perspiration and tight-fitting clothing are two of the most common culprits, she says. Spandex, for example, traps perspiration against the skin and it then mixes with surface oils. The result is a film that clogs pores and causes blemishes. Dr. Beim says treatments for body acne are similar to those for facial acne but the body tends to be more resistant to therapy because it is difficult to reach all around. Body skin is also thicker than facial skin, and the blemishes are constantly re-exposed to friction from clothing. If you sweat excessively, she says, be sure to wash thoroughly after workouts.
Dr. Beim advises “To keep acne under control, wash daily with benzoyl peroxide or a salicylic acid pads followed with an alpha hydroxy acid-based body moisturizer to help exfoliate the skin while preventing it from drying out. Acne that doesn’t respond to treatment may be caused by hormones and pop up as premenstrual breakouts on the face and neck. It may be wise to avoid certain cosmetic foundations and medications because they may cause acne.”
Oily skin
She says oily skin is a problem particularly in young athletes. Their oil glands may be very active and as a result, clog the pores and cause blackheads and white heads.
Stressed Hair
Sweat and weather can affect hair, the sports doctor points out. “Sunshine and heat can dry it out and moisture can cause it to become somewhat uncontrollable. A lot depends on the type of hair and the sport. For example, dandruff can occur if you have excess oil in your scalp.
Dr. Beim says the first lines of treatment are shampoos with selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, tar, sulfur or ketoconzole: “Try leaving the lather of the shampoo in for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Residual soap may irritate the scalp and actually aggravate the problem. Once you have cleared up the problem, continue the medicated shampoo no more than once or twice a week. Most of these shampoos are too damaging for long term daily use. Try to avoid using a blow dryer whenever possible.”
Can An Athlete Have Nice Nails?
You would think as an athlete, you would have short, clean, unadorned nails. But after all, you are a female and beautiful nails are important to many of us. Our nails reveal a lot of important information about our health and habits. Normal nails should have a healthy pink skin or nail bed below them, indicating a good blood circulation.
Dr. Beim says split nails, for example, are usually due to dehydration---loss of moisture. They are not caused by lack of calcium nor will they be helped by gelatin.If you are a competitive athlete or just work out on machines at the gym, you may have a problem if you wear false or sculptured or press-on nails, she says. " Press-on or sculptured nails all use some form of acrylic, a common allergen. If you have a severe allergic reaction around and under your nails, your nails may lift and become detached. Furthermore, if you wear sculptured or nail tips for months and months, you may develop a fungus infection. Give your nails a periodic rest."
You may also be allergic to formaldehyde in nail polish and sensitive to acetone in nail polish remover. All the large companies now make some products without these two chemicals so look for the ones without these ingredients.
Athletes can use the following tips for nail care:
1. As an athlete, you certainly should not grow your nails too long because this leads to nail trauma and weakens the nails.
2. Your nails are not tools and should not be used as screwdrivers, scrapers or staple removers.
3. Protect your nails during athletics that require the use of your hands or that require you to use products that may affect them, such as solvents and dish detergents.
4. Your cuticles should not be over manipulated, or pushed back with wooden or metal instruments. If you do push the cuticles back over vigorously you weaken the nail matrix and open the space above it to chemicals, fungus and viruses.
Dr. Beim says your skin is the largest organ in your body: “You need to take care of it so it can take care of you. Not only can you prevent significant medical problems with some of the conditions, but you’ll look better, be a better athlete and therefore feel better about yourself.”
For more information about skin care and athletes check: http://www.emaxhealth.com/66/17521.html
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