Rugby is a sweaty and dirty kind of sport, which can lead to some unpleasant smells and fungal infections if your child doesn’t keep on top of these basic hygiene hacks.
The fungi that cause jock itch, athletes foot and thrush thrive in warm and sweaty conditions, and some children and young people seem to be more susceptible to these infections than others.
We know this isn’t always top of a kid’s priority list, but here’s some info to help you explain why that post match shower and regular washing of kit, is so important.
Hack 1: Change out of dirty rugby kit quickly
Leaving on sweaty kit after playing rugby can increase the likelihood of getting a yeast infection because of the bacteria spreading from the fabric onto the skin.
It’s worth packing a spare set of clothes for your child to wear on the way home from the pitch.
Hack 2: Make sure they’re showering properly
If you’ve ever noticed that your child comes out the shower with mud all over them you’re not alone!
It’s worth speaking to them about the importance of washing properly to get rid of the bacteria and sweat accumulated.
It can help to use antibacterial soaps designed to rid the skin of harmful germs and not just smell nice.
Hack 3: Get them sliders or flip flops for communal showers
At most rugby clubs and schools, there are communal showers for use after a rugby match or practice.
As these showers can get humid and warm they are hotspots for the fungi responsible for athlete’s foot and verrucae.
You can pack some cheap flipflops for your child to wear in the communal showers so they don’t have to walk directly on the floor.
Hack 4: Wash rugby kit after each use
It’s easy to forget to wash your child’s rugby kit if its kept in a sports bag, separated from the rest of the laundry.
However, leaving the muddy, sweaty kit dirty for too long will cause it to go damp and accumulate mould.
Hack 5: Keep mouthguards clean
It’s easy to forget about mouthguards in their little boxes, but they can be breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi, with oral thrush being one nasty result.
Wash and dry gum shields thoroughly after each use.
Hack 6: Avoid tight kit and underwear
Rugby clothing is usually quite tight-fitted to make it harder to grab on to during a tackle. But as kids grow quickly it can soon get too tight.
This can chafe against the skin and also make your child susceptible to fungal infections such as jock itch.
Hack 7: Avoid sharing personal items
You can never know for certain if someone has or is carrying the germs of a fungal infection.
To help prevent your child from getting an infection from a teammate and vice versa, make sure they know not to share their personal items with others.
This includes water bottles, mouthguards, towels, socks and other rugby kit.
Hack 8: Get them a hygiene water bottle
If you’re worried about your child sharing their water bottle it’s possible to buy one that is designed to be safely shared without contamination.
You may have seen these distinctive looking bottles during rugby matches on the TV. They’re often brought on during breaks in play and allow multiple people to use one water bottle safely.
Hack 9: Check out the labels
Different bodies react in different ways to materials, so if your child is having problems it’s worth turning detective.
Sportswear tends to be made from synthetic materials which absorb much moisture, allowing sweat to evaporate.
However some people will find these materials invite fungal infections such as thrush and athletes foot.
Materials with natural fibres, such as cotton, are said to be anti-bacterial and also hypo-allergenic, which can be good for players with sensitive skin.
Make sure you do your research and find kit that is suited to your child’s needs on the pitch.
Before you go…
Here are some laundry hacks, that will help maintain your child’s kit and keep them comfortable while on the pitch.
