It’s NOT a spider bite!
The episode about antibiotic resistance and MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) brought up an important point that I just wanted to re-iterate and emphasize: If you or your child has a spider bite, unless you actually saw the spider bite you, it probably is NOT a spider bite! It is much more likely to be a Staph infection.
You saw on the show how serious these can be, but most of the time, they just look like a larger-than-usual pimple, boil or spider bite. You shouldn’t ignore these! See your doctor, because early treatment can help prevent spread to your family and friends.
The most important aspects of treatment for these infections are drainage AND antibiotics. When your doctor drains the pus (Don’t worry; it doesn’t hurt anymore than popping a pimple), he will most likely send the sample to the lab for a culture to see whether you need basic or more advanced antibiotics. You will still be contagious for three days after treatment starts, so keep the areas covered and avoid contact sports.
Don’t forget: It’s NOT a spider bite!
- Dr. Jim
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Dr.Sears;
Hello I hear about MRSA,but what exacty is it and how do you get it?
Thank-you
Yvonne
My husband gets staph infections some what often what can cause them and how do i prevent myself from geting them? Should i blech everything after he uses it and when he gets them should we sleep in different places? Thank you
What happens when these larger than normal pimples appear in the genitiala? I am not sure if these boils I get are staph infections or something other than that. What is causing them? I am not sexually active.
I watched the show 1/19/08 where you mentioned "spider bites" might be MRSA. Last year I had a spot like that on my shin area and also something different on my chin that was pimple like, only it was deep and getting deeper each day and bigger. I might have waited to go to the Dr. had we not been scheduled for a vacation. I went in and he said what was on my face was impetigo and on my leg a spider bite. I did not believe the spider bite, but he did give me bactroban to put on my face. Would not work on the spider bite. I did put it on both things and eventually it did clear up, leaving a small scar on my chin. I believe I had MRSA because I had visited a friend who was getting over it and had a bad time of it too. She had ended up having knee surgery and she thinks she picked it up when she visited another friend in the hospital. I have since read Bacroban is given for MRSA. Like I said, I believe that is what I had and I am surprised the Dr. didn't even think about that. Just wanted to comment.
DrSears
Recently i just found out that i tested Positive for MRSA. The doctor said its common and others say its not common and highly contagious. Well in my situation they had to do an I & D and just repacking it everyday. Ever since I found out that i tested Positive people i Know and heard that they tested Positive for MRSA. No one knows what it is and i believe someone should say something to prevent it because where ever i go i hear someone or reading in a newspaper that a group of football players tested positive for MRSA. But my question is since i tested positive for MRSA and caught it in the early stages and currently taking antibiotics is it possible to re catch it again like ill be immune to it?
Joanne
Dear Dr. Sears,
I hope you do read these blogs. This is my first try at writing on one. I had mrsa staph. I caught it originally from a horsefly bite while visiting in Costa Rica. I had two bites on both sides of my hips. since I was in Costa Rica for 3 weeks, I didn't get to a doctor until the very last day when I had traveled to a larger city. I went to the hospital in so much pain and a welt that covered my entire side and wrapped around to my abdomen. The hospital there told me to go to the ER as soon as I got off the plane.
Well I was in the hospital for 8 days. They put me on IV antibiotics, and made a 3 inch incision so the pus would drain. Then packed it twice a day with a chlorox type of solution. After I was released, my husband had to continue packing this until it finally healed from the inside out.
My concern/question is this: is the bacteria now gone from my system, or am I am carrier? And the next time I have a cut or abrasion, or bite, am I likely to get this again?
Also, any idea if I got this infection from the actual bite, or the bite getting infected by me swimming in the ocean, or possibly using the same towel over and over again while I was there..............
The doctors who saw me said it was the worst case of cellulitis they had ever seen. This was about 6 different doctors.
Thanks,
love the show
Debbie
Dr. Sears
How do you contract MRSA if u don't have contact with other people who have it? Our home is kept clean, we don't go to the gym or hospitals, and my husband seems to be getting what you describe as the spider bite staph on the heel of his foot at least once a yr. We are outdoors people and we work together but i never seem to get it? How can we figure out where it's coming from? How do i keep from getting it?
I would like more detailed information on MRSA....What should you do when you have done all the antibiotic therapy and still have it? I have twins who have had MRSA for 2 years now. We do see a infectious disease doctor and she treated them with Zyvox. Since that therapy one of the boys still have the drainage coming from his ears with the odor....I'm sure it is still the MRSA. They have had ct scans to make sure their mastoid and that area hasn't been affected but now there really isn't anything left to do.....So with the drainage should I make him stay home all the time to keep from spreading or is there a danger.....The doctors give me mixed answers...Today I had to to use a suction bulb just to get enough of the drainage out to put drops in his ears...Any info or links for MRSA would be of great help to my family.....
Ok....Now one of my boys were hospitalized with mastoiditis....I know it is not common now a days due to antibiotic therapy but it happened and it happened fast.....we were hospitalized for 4 days.....Vanco Iv was given and came home with central line...MRSA didn't grow for the first time in 21/2 years now we had psuedomonas....he is only 4...is there anything that can help prevent this from happening....
Ok....Now one of my boys were hospitalized with mastoiditis....I know it is not common now a days due to antibiotic therapy but it happened and it happened fast.....we were hospitalized for 4 days.....Vanco Iv was given and came home with central line...MRSA didn't grow for the first time in 21/2 years now we had psuedomonas....he is only 4...is there anything that can help prevent this from happening....
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