How To Treat and Prevent BJJ Mat Burns

Mat Burns also known as Rug burn, carpet burn, and friction burn affects the area when rubbed against the mat. When skin rubs too hard on the mat surface it burns the skin because friction produces heat and causes a mat burn. Most of the grapplers consider their mat burn as a badge of honor. Typically, mat burns are small and treated easily so they should not be ignored.

However, some mat burns cause problems if they don't get treated on time. Mat burns can cause staph infection. In the gym, staph infections spread fast because of the heat, moist places, and close contact. It can lead to painful rashes, and blisters, and even create a burning wound. Besides the mat burn, carelessness, while training on the mat can lead to MRSA infection which is caused due to Staph infection, difficult to treat than mat burn.

The following are the main reasons for the mat burn cause among BJJ practitioners.

• Mat Burns are caused due to penetration steps. Excessive rubbing against the floor while sparring or training can result in a burn on your knees and toes.
• Another cause of the mat burn is Friction, which produces heat when the body rubs against the mat and burns the skin.
• The rough texture of the mats can also cause skin burns.
• Poor quality mats made from paper with heavy wood pulp content are chemically unstable and acidic. The wood pulp causes mat burn and abrasions.

Knees take the whole weight of the body and if rubbed against the mat while training can result in knee burns. Typically, grapplers counter this by wearing knee pads or trousers that protect against knee rubbing. Gi trousers guard you against Mat burns around the knees but No-Gi practitioners usually get mat burns.

It is caused by kneeling having your feet flat on the ground and shifting your toe across the mat. This may sound quite specific, but it happens all the time while transitioning from guard positions and side control.

The third most common mat burn susceptible area is the elbow as we often stay on one elbow and the elbow carries a lot of weight.

Mat burn on the feet is common for grapplers and wrestlers. Given the nature of BJJ, the feet are often most prone to being burned. Grapplers practice with bare feet on the mats, increasing the possibility of rubbing feet against the mat and causing a burn. The skin of the outside of the feet is soft; in some cases, there might be a chance of getting a second-degree burn.

Face mat burn usually happens when your opponent turns your face down onto the mat. It happens when you are in a front headlock and your training partner just pins your face down into the ground and puts pressure on the back of your head. This situation causes the face to burn.

One way to prevent mat burn is to ensure the hygiene of mats. Keeping the mats and surrounding area clean and germ-free would help you a lot in preventing any complications related to mat burns. Discipline in martial arts also focuses on the cleanliness of your training place.

When you wear a full BJJ Gi, it's less likely for your skin to rub against the mat, wearing socks also reduces your chances of getting mat burn. Though hands and feet can catch calluses very fast mostly they don't need any treatment. You can avoid this by wearing socks and gloves.

Hands are used to lift and bear a lot of weight and work because of the grip and pull. There are different qualities, sizes, colors, fabrics, and functional bandages available. Use one according to your preferences.

If you do not want to wear long-sleeved rash guards, consider buying high-quality and comfortable elbow and knee pads. You will feel comfortable over time because they have padding and can limit your joint mobility from the start. But they prevent your skin from rubbing on the mat and ultimately the mat burns.

Rash guards are made from soft, thin, and compression material, wearing a good quality BJJ rashguard can prevent rashes and mat burns. The rash guard should be tight-fitting to help prevent rubbing skin against the mat to avoid mat burns. Rash guards can also be worn under the BJJ Gi.

There is a higher possibility of getting mat burns after competitions or hard sparring sessions. BJJ Rolling significantly increases the chance of mat burn as you are more likely to scramble hard and move faster which can scuff up your feet easily.

• Proper training is an underrated skill that has to be acquired with patience. Make sure you are using water-resistant tape and the wrapping should be anchored.
• Wear grappling socks.
• Try to switch your training in Gi if you train No-Gi.

The best instant cure is to wash your affected area with cold water. Keep in mind that you have to treat it the same way you treat other wounds. The mat burned with cold water directly after 15 minutes of getting wounded. Rinse with cold water for a few minutes. Remove any clothing or jewelry that is near the burnt area of the skin that can stick to the skin.

• Apply cool water over the burned skin for a few minutes
• Soak it in clean water and gently apply a clean towel
• Apply a moisturizing cream or lotion

An important step to treat the mat burn is to disinfect the wound with medically approved antibacterial ointments or creams to prevent any possible complication.

If you don’t have vulnerable skin caused by mat burn, you can instantly apply a burn cream to avoid further infection. Sometimes, a practitioner may have developed infections caused by mat burns, it can take a few days to recover. If you apprehend any sign of infection, consult your doctor.

If you spot a reddish or pinkish spot on your skin during or after BJJ training, it may be caused by a mat burn. Treating mat burn quickly is important in order to avoid complex skin infections. For that reason, you should avoid touching the wound directly with your hands and use sterile gauze from a first aid kit.

• Clean the wound with normal saline or sterile water.
• Soaked gauze in sterile water, now wipe the wound from the outer edge.
• You can use cold sterile gauze to cool the wound.
• Avoid touching the wounds directly with your hands, simply use the sterile gauze.

In case of a mat burn, try to apply the liquid bandage to close the wound more rapidly. Liquid bandage products should be used on the mat burns. It helps in drying, preventing pain, and guards your body against bacteria.

A liquid bandage is made up of glue, mixed with common antiseptic and anesthetic. If you need to remove the liquid bandage, apply a small quantity to the affected area and slowly wipe it off.

Note: Apply Liquid Bandage only when your burn wound is small. Otherwise, consult your physician.

• Showering: Soak your body part in water having mat burn. Mix some disinfection in water.
• Leave the Wound Open: Do not cover it with any clothes, let the wound heal in the open air.
• Salt Water: Mix some salt into the water and soak your burn areas in the salted water which accelerates the healing significantly.
• Rest: Taking rest is the most important step in any recovery process.
• Consult with Physicians: If your mat burns are not healing at home then instead of wasting your time, consult your physician immediately.

After having the mat burn, immediately clean it with wipes and check the affected area. Mat burn is a minor thing while training Jiu Jitsu but they are annoying to treat. However, to avoid mat burns, take care of your skin during and after practice. Prioritize personal and mat hygiene. Consult with your physician if the wounds are spreading.