(BMJ) - A 21-yo male wrestler presented w/ a painful rash on his face and neck. No fever, headache, or eye complaints. Exam: vesicular lesions on an erythematous base scattered on face and right side of neck + a tender lymph node. What is the diagnosis?
Tinea corporis
Lichen simplex chronicus
Scabies
Herpes gladiatorum
Syphilis
You are correct. Herpes gladiatorum (or "mat herpes") is common in wrestlers and is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, most often on the right side of the body. Recurrent infection is usually milder than the initial outbreak. The patient was treated with acyclovir and returned to training 1 week following crusting of lesions.