Abstract
Dance encompasses a broad range of activities but is generally related to any form of rhythmic movement. Prolonged use of tightly fitting clothing, occlusive footwear, and exposure to excessive moisture or sweat are all factors inherent to the athletic artform of dance. These factors place dancers at an increased risk for acquiring fungal infections. Dancers across all genres of dance place an extraordinary amount of physical pressure and impact forces on their feet and toes, leaving them very susceptible to various conditions associated with repetitive nail trauma, blistering, bruising, and superficial skin tears. Dancers should be cautioned to look for signs of infection including pain, swelling, redness, and warmth, erythema or induration to the skin and should seek medical attention immediately if these signs of infection are present. Rosin has a wide range of uses, including for string instruments, but dancers use rosin on their shoes to create friction between the shoe and the floor. Typically, dancers crush the rosin–purchased in small-rock forms–into a powder and then rub it into the toes and heels of their shoes. The common acute allergic contact dermatitis reaction to rosin tends to occur within 1–3 days after exposure and is often confined to the area of contact with rosin. Gymnastics is a physically demanding sport requiring strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Athletes in this sport routinely perform complex maneuvers using various types of equipment such as mats, bars, beams, and vaults, often in close contact with one another and shared surfaces. Gymnasts are particularly at risk for dermatophyte infections due to their frequent use of shared facilities and the sweaty conditions that result from repeated bare-footed practice. The repetitive friction from movements such as vaulting and tumbling can create micro-abrasions that compromise the skin’s barrier, increasing susceptibility to infection.