How to Protect Yourself from Skin Infections in BJJ: Lessons from My Experience

13 Feb, 2025

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is an incredible martial art that offers physical fitness, mental discipline, and a fantastic sense of community. However, as with any close-contact sport, there are risks, and one that often goes overlooked by beginners is the risk of skin infections. I want to share my personal experience and what I’ve learned so you can stay on the mats and avoid unnecessary downtime.

My Naivety as a Beginner

When I first started training, I thought I was doing everything right when it came to hygiene. My routine seemed simple but adequate: shower before training to smell good, then rinse off with water after training. I thought this was enough to stay clean and protect myself from any issues. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way that my routine was lacking when I developed my first fungal skin infection. It wasn’t anything severe, but it was frustrating and sidelined me for six weeks—an eternity for someone who loves training. That experience made me realize that I needed to step up my hygiene game, not just for myself but also out of respect for my training partners.

The Importance of Post-Training Hygiene

After that episode, I overhauled my routine to minimize the risk of skin infections, and it’s made a huge difference. Here’s the approach I now recommend for anyone training BJJ or any other grappling-based martial art:

1. Before Training: Always shower and come to the gym clean. This isn’t just about smelling good; it’s a baseline for keeping the mats in a clean environment. Clean skin also helps reduce the risk of transferring germs or bacteria to your training partners.
2. Immediate Post-Training Hygiene: Right after training, don’t just rinse off with water. Use soap to remove sweat, dirt, and bacteria from your skin. Even a quick shower with a small amount of soap at the gym is better than skipping this step.
3. At-Home Clean-Up: Once you get home, take another, more thorough shower. Use an anti-fungal soap to scrub down your entire body, paying extra attention to areas that were in close contact with the mats or your training partners. Wash your hair with shampoo to remove any lingering bacteria or sweat.
4. Clothing Care: Consider your training gear (gi, rash guard, spats, and other clothing) “contaminated” after each session. Throw them straight into the washer and use a hot water setting to kill bacteria or fungi. Don’t reuse gear without washing it thoroughly—this is crucial for preventing the spread of infections.

Why This Routine Works

This multi-step routine has created a much safer layer of protection for me. By being consistent with these habits, I’ve been able to avoid further skin infections and stay on the mats consistently. While it might seem like a lot of effort at first, it quickly becomes second nature, and the peace of mind it provides is well worth it.

Final Thoughts

Skin infections are a common but preventable issue in BJJ. Don’t wait until you experience one to take action—proactively adopting a solid hygiene routine will save you a lot of frustration and keep you training longer. By coming clean to the gym, showering thoroughly after training, and properly handling your gear, you’ll reduce your risk and help create a healthier training environment for everyone.

Train hard, stay clean, and I’ll see you on the mats!