Molnlycke Health Care Applauds New Position Statement Guidelines on Prevention of Skin Diseases in Athletics from National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)

NORCROSS, Ga., June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Molnlycke Health Care US, the manufacturer of Hibiclens®, an antiseptic antimicrobial skin cleanser, applauds the new position statement guidelines on Preventing Skin Diseases in Athletics issued last week by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA).  The new position statement guidelines were presented at NATA's 61st annual meeting and clinical symposium in Philadelphia and have been developed over the past five years by a committee of experts.  The position statement guidelines appear in the July 2010 issue of the NATA Journal of Athletic Training.

The position statement guidelines are part of an ongoing effort by NATA to reduce the incidence of skin diseases among athletes at all levels.  A recent review of infectious disease outbreaks conducted by the authors of the statement found that skin diseases accounted for more than 50 percent of all infectious diseases in competitive sports from 1922 through 2005.  

"This statement underscores the need for prevention and education among athletes, athletic trainers, coaches and parents," said Jack Doornbos, executive director, Molnlycke Health Care.  "Education is the cornerstone of preventing skin diseases such as MRSA that can be debilitating for an athlete and a team.  Losing one key athlete can affect the performance of an entire team.  This is why we provide free educational materials including posters, DVDs, checklists and newsletters with proven best practices to help prevent skin infections in athletics," he added.  "All of these materials have been developed with the guidance of a panel of athletic trainers from all levels of athletics that are recognized experts in their field."  

Three of the seven key guidelines NATA issued address hygiene and care of the skin including ongoing hand hygiene, showering after sports and daily skin surveillance for lesions.  A new approach to helping prevent skin infections during sports is to shower or wash prior to activity with a cleanser that contains 4 percent chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG).(1)  CHG bonds to the skin and actively kills germs for up to six hours without leaving a residue.  This helps protect hands and body during contact.  A final shower after practice and competition cleans the skin again and removes any debris that may have been picked up.  If a shower is not possible before or after activity, washing hands and arms and other high-contact skin areas is another option that may be instituted.

Hibiclens, a 4 percent CHG wash, has been used in hospitals for decades.  Now professional athletes, college wrestlers and entire athletic teams use it before and after practices and games.  Molnlycke Health Care also manufactures an alcohol-based wipe, Hibistat®.  Individually-wrapped, containing 0.5 percent CHG and 70 percent isopropyl alcohol, Hibistat is intended to be used without water, which is perfect for recreational sports, camps and locations that do not have showers or sinks.  

"We are encouraged that the authors stated that the guidelines will continue to be updated and evolve as new information becomes available," said Doornbos.  "We believe preventive measures before contact are an important component to a solid prevention program."

Unlimited, free educational materials for parents, athletes and coaches about skin diseases including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are available at www.hibiclens.com or by calling 1-800-805-0585, ext. 7940.  Additionally, Hibiclens and Hibistat are available in the first aid section at drug stores including CVS, Rite Aid and Stop & Shop.  Hibiclens is also available in the first aid section at Walgreens, Walmart and Target.

About Molnlycke Health Care US, LLC

Molnlycke Health Care US, LLC, consists of two divisions – Surgical and Wound Care.  Focusing on prevention of surgically- related infections for both patients and healthcare workers, the Surgical Division (formerly Regent Medical Americas, LLC) encompasses the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of powder-free surgical gloves (Biogel® surgical gloves); the number one supplier (by value) of skin cleanser (Hibiclens® and Hibistat® antiseptics); and BARRIER® protective clothing.  A leader in trauma and pain management, the Wound Care Division's market dynamics are driven by an aging population, higher incidence of pressure ulcers and increased home treatment.  

(1) MHC study #061123-150.01

SOURCE Molnlycke Health Care US, LLC