Methicillin-resistant staph. aureus (MRSA) is a bacteria that lives in/on 1% of all people and is resistant to several common antibiotics. It is a form of staph, which are very common bacteria that can live in the nose or on the skin and often doesn't cause problems. Over the last 3 years, MRSA has been seen more in the community as skin infections in generally healthy people. It is thought that the overuse and misuse of antibiotics has contributed to the problem.
The infection usually looks like a boil and is red, swollen, painful, and angry looking.
Most staph skin infections are minor and can be treated by regularly washing and bandaging the area and/or using oral antibiotics or topical antibiotic ointments. Sometimes the abscesses from Staph need to be drained by a doctor. But, MRSA may need to be treated with different kinds of antibiotics and can rarely lead to serious complications.
The important thing to remember is that MRSA can be treated with the right antibiotics.
If you suspect your child may have a skin infection or MRSA call our office.
To prevent Staph and MRSA from affecting your family:
Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water.
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages.
Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.
Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered with clean bandages.
