If you've trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for more than six months, you've probably either had ringworm, rolled with someone who had it, or spent way too much time staring at a suspicious red mark wondering if your life is over.
Welcome to grappling.
The good news? Ringworm is incredibly common in BJJ.
The bad news? Most people don't know what it looks like, how it spreads, or when they should stay off the mats.
What Is Ringworm?
Ringworm isn't a worm.
It's a fungal infection that loves warm, sweaty environments. In other words, exactly the kind of environment created by a room full of grown adults trying to choke each other while wearing pyjamas.
It spreads through skin-to-skin contact and contaminated surfaces, making Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling and MMA some of the most common places you'll find it.
Is Ringworm the Same as Athlete's Foot?
Kind of.
Ringworm, athlete's foot and jock itch are all fungal infections caused by closely related fungi called dermatophytes.
The main difference is where they show up.
- Ringworm usually appears on the body, neck, arms, legs or face.
- Athlete's foot affects the feet and between the toes.
- Jock itch affects the groin area.
For grapplers, it's not uncommon for an athlete to have athlete's foot and accidentally spread the fungus to other parts of their body through scratching, contaminated towels, clothing or poor hygiene habits.
That's one reason why skin care isn't just about looking good. It's about protecting yourself and your training partners.
What Does Ringworm Look Like?
The classic ringworm rash usually looks like:
- A circular or ring-shaped patch
- Red, raised edges
- Clearer skin in the middle
- Dry, flaky or itchy skin
The problem is that not every case looks textbook.
Mat burn, eczema, folliculitis, acne and random skin irritation can all look similar, especially in the early stages.
If you notice a rash that's growing, changing shape or becoming increasingly itchy, don't ignore it and hope for the best.
That's usually how half the gym ends up with the same problem.
How Do You Get Ringworm in BJJ?
Most people assume they got it from dirty mats.
Sometimes that's true.
More often, it comes from another athlete.
Common causes include:
- Training with someone who doesn't realise they have ringworm
- Training with someone who knows they have ringworm and shows up anyway
- Wearing unwashed rash guards or gis
- Leaving sweaty gear in your gym bag overnight
- Sharing towels or personal items
- Poor post-training hygiene
- Walking barefoot in locker rooms or public showers
Unfortunately, one irresponsible training partner can create problems for an entire academy.
Don't be that guy.
I Think I Have Ringworm. What Should I Do?
The answer nobody wants to hear:
➡️ Stay off the mats.
Yes, it sucks.
No, your teammates won't think you're soft.
In fact, they'll probably respect you more for not spreading it around the room.
If you suspect ringworm, speak with a healthcare professional and follow their treatment advice. Most cases respond well when caught early, but continuing to train usually makes things worse for both you and everyone around you.
And while you're treating it:
- Wash all training gear thoroughly
- Wash towels and bedding regularly
- Clean or disinfect your gym bag
- Avoid sharing personal items
- Follow your treatment plan until the infection is fully resolved
Trying to "train through it" rarely ends well.
How to Prevent Ringworm in BJJ
The good news is that most ringworm cases are preventable.
You don't need to live in a bubble.
You just need better habits than the average grappler.
1️⃣ Shower After Training
The sooner the better.
Don't finish class, run errands, grab dinner and then think about showering three hours later.
Get clean as soon as you can and dry off as quickly as possible.
2️⃣ Wash Your Gear Every Session
Every rash guard.
Every pair of shorts.
Every gi.
Every time.
If your gear smells like last week's open mat, you've already waited too long and you're risking it.
I use detergent and a sanitizer in the washing machine.
3️⃣ Wear Flip-Flops in Shared Areas (don't share them)
Locker rooms, public showers and changing rooms are prime real estate for fungi.
A cheap pair of thongs (flip-flops for my american brotherzzz) is a lot cheaper than weeks off the mats.
4️⃣ Wear Socks With Your Shoes
Wearing shoes barefoot traps sweat and moisture, creating the perfect environment for fungal growth.
A simple pair of clean socks helps keep your feet healthier.
5️⃣ Replace Old Socks if You've Had Athlete's Foot
If you've recently dealt with athlete's foot, consider replacing old socks and thoroughly washing the rest.
It's a small investment that can help reduce the risk of reinfection.
6️⃣ Check Your Skin Regularly
Most grapplers spend more time checking Instagram than checking their own skin.
Take 30 seconds after a shower and look for anything unusual.
Early detection beats a forced month off the mats.
7️⃣ Keep Your Gym Bag Clean
Your gym bag shouldn't be a biological experiment.
Empty it.
Air it out. I bought the Nike training bag that is really easily reversible.
Clean it regularly. I just spray mine with an alcohol and wipe it down.
If you've had a fungal infection, give it a proper clean before returning to normal training.
The Simplest Rule: Don't Train With Suspicious Skin
Every coach has seen this conversation.
"Hey bro, do you think this is ringworm?"
Meanwhile the rash is bright red, getting bigger every day and has already been there for a week.
If you're asking the question, get it checked.
Missing a few training sessions is far better than spreading it to your teammates.
Good training partners protect the room.
The Bottom Line
Ringworm in BJJ isn't a matter of if you'll be exposed to it. It's a matter of when.
The athletes who avoid it most consistently aren't necessarily lucky.
They just have better habits.
Take care of your skin.
Take care of your gear.
Take care of your training partners.
Because nobody wants to roll with the guy who knowingly brought ringworm to class.
And if you're serious about getting better at Jiu-Jitsu, becoming the training partner everyone wants to roll with is a pretty good place to start.
Train Hard. Be Technical. Smell Nice.
Justin.