MRSA, in my Foot?

Today, more Americans are developing MRSA infections than ever before. What’s
more, they are getting them from common, relatively minor foot problems like cuts,
cracks in the skin, athlete’s foot and ingrown toenails. While these infections are on
the rise, there also seems to be a number of quickly growing misconceptions about
MRSA. Most people recognize the term “MRSA”, but they don’t quite realize what it
really is beyond the fact it is serious. When asked to define MRSA, some patients say “a
frightening infection”, others say “flesh-eating bacteria” and still others simply don’t
know. First of all, flesh-eating bacteria is something different than MRSA. Now, while it
can be frightening, you don’t need to lose any sleep over MRSA tonight because we’re
going to cover it in the following paragraphs and after reading the facts, you should feel
more comfortable and less afraid should your doctor ever tell you that you have MRSA.

MRSA is simply an acronym for “Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus”. When
you break it down, Methicillin is a type of antibiotic and Staphylococcus Aureus is
nothing more than a type of bacteria. So, when put together, MRSA is just a type of
bacteria that is resistant to certain types of antibiotics. Unfortunately for us, there aren’t
a lot of good options for treating MRSA; however, fortunately for us, the ones we do
have can be very effective.

There are, generally speaking, two types of MRSA: community-associated and hospital-
acquired. These vary in ways other than the setting in which it is contracted, but
these differences aren’t necessary to explain in this setting. What you should know is
doctors have been diagnosing community-associated MRSA infections with increasing
frequency.

Staphylococcus bacteria, or Staph for short, are common. In fact, 1 in 3 people carry
these pesky bacteria. They live on your skin and in your nose and can be spread
through skin contact. When this bacteria becomes a major problem is when it gets
inside the body. Even minor tears in the skin’s surface open the door to bacteria and
infection. Common skin conditions such as athlete’s foot, calluses, corns, eczema
and psoriasis can create these open portals in the skin for bacteria to enter the body.
Walking barefoot increases the risk of cuts and puncture wounds. Here are a few simple
steps you can take to help prevent community-associated MRSA infections: Wash cuts
and cover them promptly with a bandage, see a doctor within 24 hours for any puncture
wound, never perform “bathroom surgery” to cut or dig out an ingrown toenail or foreign
body (like a splinter), and keep your feet clean and dry to prevent fungal infections like
athlete’s foot.

Hopefully you have a better understanding of MRSA now. The best thing to do if you
have an infected cut or scrape on your foot or ankle that doesn’t heal in a timely fashion
is to see a podiatrist and get it checked out.


InMotion Foot & Ankle SpecialistsDr. Bruce Werber10900 N. Scottsdale RoadSuite 604Scottsdale, AZ 85254480-948-2111www.InMotionFootandAnkle.cominmotionfootandankle@gmail.com