A ripped skin is a common occurrence among athletes, mostly in the field of gymnastics. From the novice gymnasts to the elite performers, nobody is spared. For the beginners, they normally get their skin ripped because of a tight grip on the bars or plain lack of familiarity. For the advanced gymnasts, the rip is caused because of the excess callous developed on their hands.
Causes of Skins Ripped Off
- A ripped skin for a gymnast happens when the upper layer of the skin of the palms or the one around the wrist, separates from the layer below, which contains the bloody rich tissues.Sometimes the rip may form on the gymnast’s wrist.
- Hand guards or handgrips that continuously get rubbed on the skin will cause the rip.
- There are also times when the constant swing on the bars with the excessively tight grips causes the build up of callous on their skin. The force on the swing pulls the outer layer of the skin causing some kind of a blister or one filled with blood.This is where the rip is more imminent to occur.
How to Prevent Skin Peeling
- Novice gymnasts can prevent getting a ripped skin with the help of practice.
- Training on the proper swing techniques and appropriate change in the grips will lessen the pains of a ripped skin.
- Constant bar workouts coupled with a daily hand regimen will minimize the effects of a ripped skin on professional gymnasts.
Home Remedies for Ripped Skin
When gymnasts get their skin ripped off, here are some of the things he/she should do:
- Carefully remove excess skin. Nail clippers that are properly sterilized should be used to avoid infection. Then wash the ripped area with soap. Hand lotion on the rip is a definite no-no.
- There are also products available in the market that is in a patch form with a liquid substance inside. It is used to directly cover the ripped skin. The product though may be a little bit stingy, just like iodine.
- Over-the-counter antibiotic ointment are used to help fight off infection. The antibiotic ointment when applied on the rip before going to sleep may also help in the skin’s recovery. You may need to cover it with a glove or a sock to prevent the ointment from entering the eyes or that the ointment getting rubbed on the bedsheets and pillows. This treatment should be continued until the rip will be covered with a new skin.