Staphylococcus aureus, referred to commonly as "staph" are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 30%-50% of the population is colonized (when bacteria are present, but not causing an infection) in the nose with staph bacteria. Sometimes, staph can cause skin infection. Historically, staph infections occurred among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities but now they are rapidly spreading into the general population and are easily spread from person to person.

Some staph bacteria have mutated and cannot be killed with commonly used antibiotics. MRSA is a type of staph that is resistant to antibiotics including methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as penicillin and amoxicillin. Millions of people are colonized with MRSA in the U.S. alone and infections are appearing at epidemic rates. MRSA infections are commonly mistaken as spider bites.

Staph and MRSA can cause illness in persons outside of hospitals and healthcare facilities. MRSA infections acquired by persons who have not been recently hospitalized, or had a medical procedure, are known as CA-MRSA infections. Staph or MRSA infections in the community are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils, and occur in otherwise healthy people.

Staph bacteria, including MRSA, can cause skin infections that may look like a pimple, boil or ingrown hair and can be red, swollen, painful, or have pus and other drainage. Many occur in the armpits, neck, groin and buttocks where bacteria grow. More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or even death.

Any open wound is a potential entry point for MRSA. Factors that have been associated with the spread of MRSA skin infections include: close skin to skin contact, openings in the skin such as cuts or abrasions, contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living conditions, and poor hygiene.

Kids playing sports are at greater risk because they share equipment and have skin contact which are both common causes of infections.

Practice good hygiene including:

• Keep your hands clean
• Treat cuts and scrapes with StaphAseptic® First Aid Antiseptic/Pain Relieving Gel
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed
• Shower after physical activity
• Properly clean gear and equipment
• Consult your trainer/physician for all active wounds
• Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages
• Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors

Contact your healthcare provider immediately. Make sure you ask to have your wounds cultured for MRSA.

Yes. Most staph and MRSA infections are treatable by intravenous antibiotics or by draining the abscess or boil. Draining of skin abscesses or boils should only be done by a healthcare provider. Casual use of antibiotics should be discouraged and can lead to a lack of effectiveness.

Yes, it is possible for a staph or MRSA skin infection to come back after it is cured. To avoid this, follow your healthcare provider's directions while you have the infection, and follow the prevention steps after the infection is gone.

• Cover your wound with clean, dry bandages and follow your healthcare provider’s instructions on how to take care of the wound.
• Clean your hands frequently.
• Do not share personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors or clothing that may have had contact with the infected wound or bandage.
• Talk to your doctor.

• StaphAseptic kills 99.9% of antibiotic resistant staph (MRSA)*. Topical triple antibiotics have not been found to be effective against MRSA.
• Public health experts are concerned about antibiotic resistance, a problem that can develop when antibiotics are overused. Over time, germs develop new defenses against antibiotics that once were effective against them. Bacteria reproduce quickly and pass these defenses rapidly from one generation to the next until almost all are immune to the effects of a particular antibiotic. This process appears to be happening faster than new antibiotics can be developed.
• Roughly 5%-10% of people may be allergic to one or more ingredients in topical antibiotic products.

* In vitro studies show that StaphAseptic kills over 99.9% of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

MRSA bacteria can spread to your cat or dog where it colonizes in the animal's nose. They can then spread the bacteria back to the owner through contact. If there is MRSA in your household, it is recommended that you have a vet swab your pet's nose to see if it contains MRSA bacteria.
Important: Do not use StaphAseptic on pets. It could be toxic if ingested.