Since Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a full-body, demanding sport, it requires extra attention and care to injuries or soreness. Here are a few over-the-counter products you can find at any pharmacy to help with taking care of any minor injuries to your body while training.
One of the most common issues facing Jiu Jitsu students is athlete’s foot. What is athlete’s foot? It’s scaling, flaking, or itching of the feet. Sometimes, you may notice cracks in between the toes, and maybe even your raw skin peeking out. This is a symptom of athlete’s foot, which can be very painful if not treated right away. What causes athlete’s foot? Moisture, warm areas in the foot that don’t get ventilated. So who is more susceptible to getting athlete’s foot? Typically, it’s those who are walking around barefoot all the time, because their feet are constantly touching different bacteria on the ground. Fungus caused by athlete’s foot can spread to the palms, groin, and other parts of the body. Are there any ways to prevent this? One very basic method is using moist, antibacterial cloths known as Wet Ones. The good thing about this product is that it comes in a nice little container which is easy to use and convenient to keep with you in a gym bag while you are training, or even at your bedside table at home. These wipes kill 99.99% of all bacteria, and they’re said to help your feet dry a lot quicker. They also come in different scents. Before putting on your socks or shoes, take about 10-15 seconds to wipe your feet down with one of these cloths. Wet Ones are moderately priced at between 3.99$-5.99$, and can be found at most local pharmacies.
A product recommended for someone already dealing with athlete’s foot is Lamisil powder. If you’re the type of person who tends to sweat a lot, especially on your feet, then you can apply this powder, and it will keep the area dry. Lamisil is odorless, so for those with bad smelling feet, this could be a good thing. In case you have a more serious case of athlete’s foot — in which you can see the cracks in between your toes or are experiencing severe scaling and itching — then get the Lotrimin Lamisil cream. You can apply it to the affected areas of your feet, and it will help them heal a lot quicker. This product is not to be used instead of seeing a doctor. It’s always best to consult with a physician if the condition worsens. This product is pretty inexpensive, and available over-the-counter in most pharmacies, making it popular in the BJJ community.
Other products for treating minor injuries include KT Tape. The tape can be used to wrap any any joints, ligaments, or muscles, that are aching, or have been overstretched, or hyperextended when you’ve trained BJJ. You can put this tape anywhere you want — the knees, calves, shoulders, biceps, and thighs. The company that manufactures the tape has a website which explains exactly how to apply it. The tape is made of 100 percent cotton, and is really flexible. The pro version of the tape can stay on for between five and seven days. The company offers a different version that lasts between one and three days. The pro version costs around $20 U.S. and the regular version retails for about $13 US. 12.99 U.S. dollars.
Another popular BJJ product is CVS CVS breathable tape. It’s about 1 inch wide, and 2.2 yards long. If you’re regularly training Jiu-Jitsu, your fingers are going to go through a bit of wear, especially since you count on them for securing grips and holding your opponent down. This all results in wear and tear on your hands and especially on your fingers — a syndrome commonly known as “Jiu Jitsu fingers,” which results in thicker knuckles.. This tape is great because it gives enough support around the knuckle area, helping to decrease any type of pain felt around around the knuckle-joint. This product is very inexpensive, retailing for about $3 at most drug stores.
