I do, however, have one fear - a grotty bastard infecting me with his gross skin condition. Let's face it, it happens all too often in BJJ, especially in competitions.

So, I'm putting together a handy guide so you shouldn't have to ask "what the hell is that?" when you see something abnormal. When you see something abnormal, just go and see your damn doctor. 

Ringworm

Ringworm, or tinea, is characterised by a ring-shaped rash that can be blistery, scaly, or crusty.

If you find an itchy rash that looks like a blob with a defined, red border, it's probably ringworm. Go see your pharmacist and get some topical antifungal cream.

MRSA/Staph Infection

These infections generally look like pimples or boils, developing over time into painful abscesses. There might be redness, warmth, inflammation or pain at the site, depending on the type of staph infection present.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact Dermatitis usually looks like red, raised blobs or blistery marks, and can occur as a result of an allergy or other irritation. Unlike ringworm, it does not usually have distinctive border markings. It may also be itchy.

Gi Burn

This one is tough to tell, though not impossible. It'll be unresponsive to topical treatments or antibiotics, and generally won't have a distinct shape like ringworm. It might appear as general redness or a graze-like mark, for example.

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but includes some of the most common skin abnormalities a Jiu Jitsu practitioner might experience.

It's not always easy to tell, so here's my one and only piece of advice:

SEE THE DOCTOR.

Do not train until it clears.

Good health to you all,

- George