Staphylococcus or staph bacteria are naturally present on the skin but they are capable of causing issues once they penetrate the skin via a wound or enter the bloodstream. The methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is considered as a type of staph bacteria that is highly resistant to various antibiotic drugs and can cause further infections that can be fatal.
Home care for MRSA
The minor cases of MRSA infections can lead to swollen red-colored bumps or boils on the skin. In most cases, the doctor will advise the treatment of these sores at home by cleansing the affected area and covering it using sterile bandages. Once an individual is suspected with MRSA infection, a doctor should be consulted before starting any home treatment.
Drainage of the abscess
Minor cases of MRSA infections can cause red-colored or swollen bumps or boils on the skin. The doctor might recommend the treatment of sores at home by cleansing the affected area and covering it with sterile bandages. Once an individual is suspected with a MRSA infection, a doctor should be consulted before using any home treatment.
Once MRSA infections are localized to the skin but severe, they usually cause sore abscesses that are filled with fluid or pus. The treatment for skin abscesses is usually performed in a doctor’s clinic without hospitalization. In most cases, it involves creating a small-sized incision to drain out the abscess. After draining, the area is cleaned and covered to prevent further infection.
Antibiotics
Even though MRSA is resistant to the traditional antibiotics that are administered to treat staph infections, there are some antibiotic drugs that are still effective in fighting off the infection. The doctor might test the strain of the bacteria to determine the suitable antibiotic to use.
The orally-taken antibiotics include doxycycline, clindamycin, tetracycline and minocycline. The antibiotic vancomycin is considered one of the common drugs utilized in the healthcare setting in managing antibiotic-resistant bacteria particularly MRSA.
Severe cases of MRSA that penetrates deep into the skin might require intravenous (IV) administration of antibiotics in the hospital setting. MRSA blood infections can be deadly if not managed right away with IV antibiotics. In the same way, pneumonia is a serious infection that can occur as a result of MRSA penetrating the lungs. This requires hospitalization and requires treatment with IV antibiotics.
Supportive medical treatment
Some individuals with MRSA might require supportive medical care if the infection spreads via the bloodstream and affect the kidneys, heart or lungs. The actual nature of the treatment will vary depending on the nature of the complications that manifest. On the other hand, many individuals require intravenous fluids or other medications to prevent dehydration as well as deal with secondary health issues that might arise.
Some would require oxygenation if a MRSA-induced heart infection or pneumonia develops that affects breathing. In case MRSA infects the kidneys and results to kidney failure, the individual might need to undergo dialysis.