Don't know if anyone has this problem. I get fever blisters every now and then. Before I get them, I can tell when one is coming and apply medicine which keeps them small. However, since becoming a ref and having the whistle in my mouth most of the game, the blisters sometimes spread to another part of the mouth. I clean the whistles with Peroxide and replace at half time if only working one game, or between games if 2. Anybody know how to stop this from happening? Is there something I can do during dead ball or time out? Thanks for your help in advance.

[Edited by OldCoachNewRef on Jan 8th, 2004 at 12:42 PM]

I try to never use a whistle 2 games in a row without cleaning it well...I put them in the dishwasher then soak in listerine or some such (never thought of peroxide). I also switch whistles after the first if I work a 2 game set.

And I never, ever (ever) take a whistle from someone else. If I lend my whistle to someone else they get to keep it.

Does your whistle cause this problem? I don't have that problem.

Fever blisters aren't developing on one side of your mouth because you're using a whistle and have a blister on the opposite side. I can have one and kiss my wife, but she doesn't get fever blisters because I have them.

In the interest of my health I would kindly request that you refrain from kissing your wife while you are ill.

:p

I've got a real good one but it would probably get me in trouble. :)

Let's just said I'm "covered" if you're sick. :D

blech !!***#
 

I can play that game, too.

I reach in my bag and <U>hope</U> that my dirty socks haven't touched my whistle.

mick

Or during a game.

Yes, I really think the whistle made the virus (blister) spread. I usually get one in one area and it goes away pretty fast (3 or 4 days). The last time (about 3 weeks ago) I got one, I had another on the other side and another on the upper lip. I think by taking the whistle out or even just repositioning it, the germ caries. And BBR, I can kiss my wife on the lips on the other side, but I wouldn't try the opposite of violatio with her (how cunning).

[Edited by OldCoachNewRef on Jan 8th, 2004 at 02:52 PM]

peroxide
 

Peroxide is a very poor antiseptic despite what your mother may have taught you. You might want to try something a little stronger to actually sterilize your whistle and then use the peroxide to rinse the whistle at the end.

Another satisfied CMG user.

I tape my whistle before a game. When the game's over, the tape goes in the trash. I don't know if that would help your situation or not. I do it for the cushion, but it might help to remove any germs left over from your last game.

What kind of tape do you use?

It's just black athletic tape that I got from the local sporting goods store. Probably made for taping hockey sticks or something, but I put a thin strip around the whistle for padding.

Chuck,
Have you tried the fox with the padding on the end of it? The first time I tried it it felt like I was biting on a 2x4 but after I got used to it I like it...

...And yet another satisfied CMG user. :)

Count me in.

Re: peroxide
 

What would you suggest? Also, is it really an issue? Are there nasties that can live long enough to be a problem?

I haven't tried it, mostly b/c I'm just cheap. I have about 20 Fox 40s and I just can't see spending money on more of them. I like the tape, actually. Helps put me in a basketball mindset. (And I don't worry about washing the tape after every game, like Dan does.)

Try what it says on the back of the package. Soaking the whistle in a water viniger solution. I do this between 1 every month or twice a month, depending on how sick i was, and how much crap i've coughed into the whistle. It really cleans out the inside. Let is soak overnight, then rinse it out, because i'm pretty sure no one likes the taste of viniger in their mouth for an hour and a half game.

And you've got another satisfied CMG user here.

Dan's not so worried about the tape part (the outside) Dan's worried about the inside, that swamp where all the kooties live.

The vinegar method will get the inside squeeky clean.

CMG...chewed right through it!!! I'm on #3 this year with 10-12 nights to go!!! Teeth keep getting flatter, and my hearing keeps getting worse!!!

I just use the usual fox 40. I buy a dozen at a time and start a new one when the chew marks in the other start becomming somewhat deep... so about once every 3 1/2 weeks it seems. Also sometimes i chip part of the whistle bridge (the thing u put inside the teeth) thats usually a good indication this whistle has that night and the next one left in it.

I bought 3 of the CMG whistles this year. Love them. Would love them more if they were a bit smaller.

I have never cleaned a whistle, personally. Once they start getting scummy inside I throw it out. Probably a bit wasteful, now that I think about it.

I try to eat "before" I get to the game.

Rich,
I cleaned one whistle out once. Sounded better. But generally I am not real concerned. The reason I cleaned it was that I thought it sounded funny. Got some stuff outa there.

Since I started I have been a mini foxer. BasketBallRef swore by the CMG so I bought some to try.
Last night (two 30+ Rec games, a lot of summer baseballers on the floor ;)) I switched on the run from my mini to the CMG in the first half of the 1st game.

I think I was sold last night. :)
mick

BK, there just like shoes. 3 pairs, rotating them daily, will last 5 times longer than one pair. If you'll use 3 CMGs and rotate them, they'll last much, much longer.

Also, if you haven't tried a CMG in the past year, they've changed the mouthpiece and it's much more durable. I just wish they would use a black material, and not the opague gray color.

You desperately need to try a CMG. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Maybe I'm halucinating, but I think I've seen them with black mouthpieces - just don't know where to buy them like that.

Warning: Microbiology post
 

To answer some of the questions posed here:

First, the virus which causes most fever blisters can survive in air for a fairly good period of time. The whistle, a wet surface, provides a great medium for the virii to spread to other areas of your lips/mouth. As an addendum, don't forget that the blisters can sometimes be contagious before an outbreak, so you should clean your whistle regularly.

Second, I wouldn't use peroxide. Although it should kill most germs, it's not intended for sterilization. Also, I don't want any residue of that stuff in my mouth.

Third, tape. This won't stop deposits from building up inside your whistle. As such, the whistles should be cleaned or disposed of on a regular basis.

Finally, my preferred method. I soak my whistles in antiseptic mouthwash, rinse, then use a toothpick to get any gunk inside (I find I have a problem with the ridges of the CMG). Mouthwash may kill more effectively than vinegar, and will definately taste better (you can't rinse out the vinegar taste very easily).

Of course, my roommate always suggests cleaning my whistles in gin, vodka, or the like - that's a whole different thread, though.

I've never cleaned a whistle in my five years of reffing, and I've had far fewer colds, and flu per year than any time n my life. However, I was very "detail-oriented" about my children's pacifiers -- at least the first child. So in that vein, I'll quote my favorite item of "Mother's Lore":

When the first child drops her binky, you put it in the dishwasher and get a clean one out of the drawer to give her.

When the second child drops his binky, you rinse it under the tap, and give it back.

When the third child drops her binky, you lick it off and give it back.

And when the fourth child drops his binky, you think, "Gee, I hope he finds it!"

What is CMG? I use a normal fox 40, don't chew through them and don't have to clean them because of blisters. Is CMG a joke or is this a real whistle? If so, does someone have a link?

CMG's
 

CMG = Cushion Mouth Grip. It's a Fox 40 with a cushion tip. The older CMG's have a smaller cushion than the new ones. I found someone who had the old ones and bought a bunch. I like them better. The new ones are huge whereas the older ones are not much larger than regular fox. I soak them in vinegar about once a month. The cushion seems to attract gunk.

Mregor

OK, I have one of those. I don't like it. I could use the same whistle for a year. Wait, I've been using my whistle for..........................

Me, too.

I use the same whistle every night and replace it when it gets cracked -- less than once per year.

Been there, done that.

I keep alcohol swabs in my bag so that I can sterilize my Fox 40 before games - For the main reason of preventing cold sores.

You mean you never eat the popcorn before a game?
I gotta eat the popcorn!!!

When I was coaching, our team would rate the road games by the quality of the popcorn.

I soak my whistle in bleach for about 5 minutes. Then a rinse and soak in water for 10. Bleach kills everything, including popcorn germs!

Gentlemen, cleaning your whistles will NOT prevent cold sores.

Cold sores are not a sign that you have contacted a germ. Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus, type 1. It's a reactivation of the virus which is already living in your body. Cold sores occur when the herpes virus, which has been asleep, reactivates. And before someone pops off, this is not the same as genital herpes, which is type 2.

This is why some people have cold sores habitually and some never have them. Neither my wife or my kids have ever had a cold sore in their lives, simply because they do not have the virus. I have them from time to time, but I ward them off by not allowing my lips to dry out or get sunburned, and I take Lysine.

So, instead of worrying about your whistles, take better care of your lips.

This message is a public service announcement from Dr. BktBallRef. :)

Now WE rate the school for whether they provide towels for showering and whether they provide halftime and post-game bottles of water or soda.

I have a partner that eats popcorn before every game. Tradition, he says.

I think we have some urban legends in the making here. "Cold sores" are herpes simplex which is a virus you carry in your body. You can't catch cold sores from the air or from your whistle. If you are experiencing them from officiating it is from the trauma the lips adsorb from having the whistle in your mouth for a period of time. You probable get them in the winter when exposed to the elements (excessive sun also). It helps to use chap stick to reduce the trauma. Peroxide, vinegar and all the other products certainly will provide a "clean" whistle, but won't inpact the incidents of cold sores.

TOWELS!?!? You get towels from the school?!? I feel fortunate if they bring the water to me instead of making me walk to the concession stand and pay for it. Most games, it would take an act of God to have access to a useable shower, let alone get a towel! Some people have all the luck...

See. Told ya so. :p

I rate college venues by the towel factor. For HS games, it's a combination of changing area/shower access. I don't even think about getting something to drink.

This is true, but let it be known I "clean" my whistles to get rid of the more "common" types of kooties that lead to sore throats, sniffles and other assorted badness. Maybe it really does not make a difference but I feel better doing it.

I'm sure it doesn't hurt. But I'm not sure that it kills the cooties. Any germ on your whistle came from you to begin with, so it wouldn't be anything new to your system. I'm not sure how long they can live outside a warm, moist environment anyway.

Perhaps RefRx will further enlighten us.

Agree with Chuck. You're lucky if you have a clean private place to dress at HS games. And the shower is a large perk. Towels? Forget it!

When I worked in school administration, I made sure that the officials had all of the above plus I'd make sure they got a sandwich or sub to take with them after the game. That school still adheres to that policy. Officials love to work there. I think each school should assign someone, student or otherwise to make sure the officials are taken care of. Wouldn't take much effort to get it done. And it goes a long way.

Well, when my kids were younger (I think I was younger too, can't remember now) they would get strep, and the doctor always told us to be careful because strep tends to hang around awhile, and sure enough I or my wife would get it a month or so later and my doctor would ask "kids get in the last 3 months" and he would smile when I said yes.

So, I got trained to wash the kooties out. Maybe RefRx will tell me I'm wasting my time and perfectly good listerine.

Cleaning your whistle won't affect cold sores (virus), but there is a lot of "stuff" out there to catch. Your mouth is a great breeding ground for bacteria and your whistle is no better, so it's a good idea to clean it.

Interestingly enough, I get cold sores. My family doesn't.

They get strep throat. I've never had it.

But yes, I too have heard that strep hangs around.

Okay, okay!

My games are postponed.

I have nothing to do.

I'll go clean my damn whisltes!

BRB! :)

I too get them, all you need is some good chapstick to keep your lips from getting dry like BktBallRef said. Haven't had one in a while because of the chapstick. :)

The mouthpiece was colored black about 3 years ago. They don't make it black anymore. Anyone also notice that the ring that attaches your whistle to your lanyard is now colored gold. I liked them better when they were silver. I even take the silver one off of my old one and replace the gold one. My God am I anal!!

I've been buying them since they came out and I've never found a black one. A friend has one but he's had it for several years and couldn't remember how he obtained it.

I use a whistle for 2-3 years. I clean them periodically with listerene...soak overnight...tastes nice for a couple of games too. I've only cracked 1 ever. If you're biting through them in 2-3 weeks, perhaps you should relax a little.

Good point, Camron.
My whistles are lasting longer and longer be cause I am not as tense.
Additional serendipity comes with teeth and jaws that don't feel like you been chewin' on four double-bubbles all day. :)
mick

Here in the great state of Wyoming, where by the way, we hardly ever cancel games due to snow, just better equiped to handle it I guess, we usually have nice private places to dress, and shower...the only exception so far this year has been that we dressed in a coaches office, no biggie, and pretty common, except that this one was also in the home team locker room...so we wait till the teams leave the floor at half time, then follow the home team to the locker room....good thing there were no real problems....

This is AWESOME!

I had a science teacher in high school who never cleaned his coffee mug. It kinda grossed me out, but when he explained why, it made sense. Said that all of the germs build on each other, and then your body starts to build immunity, etc. Once I heard that, I was like why bother cleaning the whistles??? I'm gonna be healthy after a game! Hee hee.

May I jump up onto my soapbox for about 30 seconds, please, and just briefly touch on the subject of...

Taking Care of a Mixed-Gender Crew of Referees

When a crew includes one male and one female (I haven't done any 3-whistle yet) ref, there needs to be a place where they can go for pre-game and half-time, preferably in neither team's locker room, and preferably where they both can still have access to all their stuff. I've only been to one school here in Portland that really takes the needs of mixed gender crews into account. Usually, I get the gym teacher's office which will have a window or two, which is in the dressing room of one of the teams (who often have a male coach), and my partner can't come in there (remember, I do mostly girls' ball). There will sometimes be another room where we can go together, but I can't get at my stuff. Or he can't get at his stuff. Or both.

A particular very nice school in the Portland area, in a very up-scale neighborhood is in the process of building a brand new building with an impressive new gym with all the amenities -- except that when I asked the basketball coach (who happens to be a friend of mine) about new facilities for the refs, he just looked at me blankly and said, "Like what?" WOW!! Their current provision is a single room with about 5 tons of various broken pieces of equipment, two or three old chairs, several lockers that don't close properly, a shower and urinal that don't work. Oh, yeah, and the old furnace. And their brand new, multi-million dollar school building isn't going to have any ref facilities at all. Oh, well, at least they treat both men and women refs equally bad.

Thanks for my 30 seconds. I'll quit now.

Im bored... im waiting on my gear to finish drying so i can repack for tommorow... Rainmaker...

If you typed your "soap box" speak in 30 seconds your typing at a rate of 10.5 words PER SECOND! or 614 words per minute.... thats incredibly stupid fast....


its amazing what you can do when your bored. I think i should probably be working on this english paper.

How do you know the urinal doesn't work? :p

Because the drain is completely covered with leaves, old chewing gum and other assorted litter. Don't ask me how the leaves got in there.

Ace -- you're right, I don't type that fast! If I were to read the words aloud, though, they would be about 45 seconds, which is still too long, but not as long as it took me to type them. I wasn't literally standing on a soap-box either. I have no clue where to even get one. I was just metaphorically referring to an earlier time in American History, when the only way express one's opinion was to stand on the street corner and shout. Increasing one's altitude helped. It was just an allusion. Got it?

How do you know the urinal doesn't work?

[/B][/QUOTE]
Because the drain is completely covered with leaves, old chewing gum and other assorted litter. Don't ask me how the leaves got in there.

[/B][/QUOTE]So? None of that bothers us men!

Fig leaves.
Adam put on his stripes.

What a pig!

Hey BK,

That science teacher never missed a day of work by the way. I find I'm healthier during my football and basketball season. Smile. You probably think I'm even more of a pig right now. Important thing is I keep the whistle looking clean. Just the mouth piece I run under warm water to get any junk off it if needed.

When I officiated in Denver it was feast or famine sometimes. One school district had a great room to change in, provided refreshments and a thank you card while another put us in the kind of room that Julie refered to.

Well now I am going to clean my whistle to stay healthy, no I am going to soak it, disinfect it, mouthwash it and put it in the autoclave. No actually I am going to leave it alone.

I know where you're talking about. At least it's fairly roomy. I didn't think it was that bad. The shower works and has warm water (if you let it run a little while). There are many places that are even worse.

Exercise.

Yes, fairly roomy. The shower is useable? I've never tried it having always been there in mixed company. But it is reasonably close to the floor, unlike Barlow, where it's 15 minutes down to dressing room, and 15 back.

...and has a full size door, unlike PAA, where, folks, get this -- the door into the "refs dressing room" is only five feet tall. I'm dead serious. Ask Camron if you don't believe me. Virtually everyone has to duck under the door and then take about three steps around a corner still ducking down. Once you're inside, it's not too bad, I suppose, and there is a shower that works, and a mirror at an appropriate height. But that entryway would completely do in anyone with any claustrophobia at all. It's definitely a deal-breaker.

I haven't seen anyone address the fact that we have one basketball being handled by as many as 20+ different sets of hands (which have been who knows where) whereupon we (officials) then handle the same ball many times and then grab our whistles with those same hands.

Since I made that observation several years ago, I have since been very careful in how I grab my whistle when replacing it in my mouth. I make sure I grab it by the body of the whistle, being careful not to touch the tip (the part that goes in my mouth). I found it is easiest to do that by using only my thumb and middle finger.

Does it make a difference? I don't know for sure, but after seeing many players over the years coughing, sneezing, not washing their hands after using the restrooms etc.(knowing they have to handle the same ball I do), I feel better taking this extra precaution. FWIW.

Not. . . one. . . freakin'. . . word. . .

Of course not Chuck. I am sure that not oneperson even thought anything!

I would not shower in some of those schools, I would be afraid of some of the viruses that may be lingering around the locker room.

What? You don't think I'll confirm her story?

...

Or are you saying you wouldn't have to duck? ;)

Well, I certainly didn't!!

Wha? I don't get it

http://www.yup.com/daniel/canoeing/images/midgets.jpg