MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to most antibiotics. It enters the skin through an opening such as a cut, a scrape or at the base of hair follicles and cause infections in the skin. It is especially important for seniors to understand and notice the difference between a staph infection (treatable by antibiotics) and MRSA (more severe and not treatable by antibiotics). Luckily, there is are options for seniors with MRSA, information on this can be found at onlinehealthspot.org – treatment for mrsa. It is imperative that seniors especially learn about mrsa. Since their immune systems are quite weaker than the average, knowing what to do before you get it can be life saving.

The most common signs of staph and MRSA include blisters and bumps on the skin. It could be one or many. There is also swelling and reddening of the skin around the bumps. Moreover, the bumps are often filled with yellow or white pus at their center. The pus drains on its own. These signs are prevalent on fingers, buttocks, legs, face, arms and the back. They also cause painful nostril infections. MRSA causes more severe infections that include surgical site infection, urinary tract infections and lung infections if treated on time.

MRSA vs. Staph infection

MRSA differs from ordinary staph bacteria in drug effectiveness and the period one takes to heal. MRSA is resistant to conventional drugs. When left untreated, MRSA patients are more likely to be hospitalized than those with Staph infections. Staph is more prevalent to MRSA. A recent study showed about a third of people in U.S carry staph on their skin but less than ten percent had MRSA. Unfortunately, MRSA is more prevalent in health centers but has been growing rapidly among communities. Moreover, MRSA is harder to kill on surfaces than staph. It takes the disinfectants several times longer to kill MRSA than they take to kill staph. This is way other forms of treament for mrsa can be much more beneficial.

Where does staph come from?

Staph bacteria live on human skin. Most of us have staph bacteria but are rarely infected. It only becomes a problem if it enters the body. In most cases, it causes mild infections that heal on themselves.

Staph and MRSA is spread from person to person through skin to skin contact with an infected person. It can also be spread through indwelling medical devices such as a catheter. The bacteria can also be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces and equipment. The bacteria also enter the skin through abrasions and cuts on the skin.

How to treat MRSA

Mild Staph and MRSA are treated with tropical ointments and disinfecting baths. The boils are also lanced and drained. More severe infections are treated with both oral and intravenous antibiotics. One needs to get tested before prescription of drugs as MRSA is resistant to some common antibiotics. The best route of treatment for mrsa is the natural approach. Many options are listed at http://onlinehealthspot.org/mrsa/natural-at-home-remedies-to-cure-mrsa/. All of the treatments for mrsa listed in the noted article are great ways for seniors to deal and prevent mrsa.