AnitaMcC Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 I have a sore on front of my hip (just above where my leg starts) and it is infected. Doctor says it could be MRSA but not sure. Doctor thinks that the infection is due to my being on prednisone again. I never had this before and I used to be on continuous prednisone for many years but have been "off" the prednisone for a few years other than occassional (about 3-4 times a year). I have been on prednisone now for nearly a month but on every other day dosage for past two weeks. I am due to go off this week. I am taking Keflex now for 10 days. Is there anything else I can do? It hurts annoyingly, not horribly, but is difficult to walk. I had a low fever earlier this evening that motrin helped. Heat compress doesn't help but for a few minutes. If this may gross you out... please you do not need to read further... The size of infection is about 6 inches by 3 inches (swollen, hard, very red, blisters a bit around sore) with just a small sore that seeps. I thought I was bit by something but maybe not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 When my son got MRSA they also (in addition to oral antibiotic) did a cream that kills MRSA...I can't remember the name but it's really common. Ack. I'll come back if I can think of the name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 When my son got MRSA they also (in addition to oral antibiotic) did a cream that kills MRSA...I can't remember the name but it's really common. Ack. I'll come back if I can think of the name. This is what they did for my dd too. I would not fool around with MRSA. They need to find out what the bacteria is and what it will respond to. They need to monitor it so that it will not spread through your body. If it is deeper then I think you would need to be on IV antibiotics. This is something I would push on - ask to go to an infection specialist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Bactroban was the name of the cream. :grouphug: I hope it improves very soon and you don't need IV antibiotics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannah C. Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 I had an MRSA on the back/outer side of my upper thigh. I thought something bit me, but then it got worse. I was limping and couldn't sit down easily because of the pain. At its biggest, it was less than 2 inches square at the surface -- but the infection went deep. I was given antibiotics, but they had no effect. The doctor ended up draining the infection, which took care of it. She told me that that location is especially good for that bacteria, because there's less blood flow there. If I recall correctly, it could have been a bite at the beginning, but then the bacteria got in through the broken skin and the bite became infected. If I remember correctly, that's what my doctor told me probably happened in my case. What you have sounds very similar to what I had. You're already seeing a doctor, so I'd just go with whatever the doctor said. I'd definitely go back soon if no improvement occurs. Unfortunately I have no tips to help with the pain. :grouphug: Hope you feel better soon!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StartingOver Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 My husband has had a few since his heart surgery in 2006. I would keep it covered, it is highly contagious. Never squeeze it. You can put a hot as you can stand it wet rag on it, or a wet rag and a heating pad. Hubby would spend all evening with a compress, so he could work the next day. This will draw the pus to the top. Keep it covered, bleach the rag you use. Don't wash it with anything else. Wash your sheets if any drainage gets on it. Staph infections heal from the inside out, so keeping it open and draining will make you much more comfortable, and help with healing. I would also get the Bactroban. In our home everyone but me is treated with Bactroban, just a tiny bit in the nose, to help prevent the spread ( I am allergic to Bactrium ). And it can be applies topically to the spot. If anyone else ends up with pimples, surrounded by a red area, take them to the doctors and let them know you have a possible staph infection. They will treat it, rather than take a risk. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjbeach Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 I went through a bout with cysts + MRSA. I'm a carrier for MRSA and most of my infections seem to turn into MRSA. Topically I would keep it clean. Peroxide, then blot, and apply Bactroban. I'm old school and used homemade Dakin's solution on the areas when they opened up. Keflex did not kick the cysts. I kept getting them. Eventually I wound up on CLindamycin which did kick the cysts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Grapefruit seed extract has been shown to kill MRSA. Apply it to the sore a few times a day. Dilute it just a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2myboys Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 So sorry you are dealing with this. My oldest DS has had a few MRSA infections this summer. The first started as a bug bite. Not sure how the second started, but the doctor told us once you have had MRSA you are always at risk for future infections because it never completely goes away. The doctor cultured it to be sure what it was and it came back as MRSA. She changed the antibiotic (originally prescribed a broad-based one b/c it did not look like MRSA) to a sulfur one (Bactrim, I believe) and also had us use Bactroban topically. A culture may be helpful so that you know what type of bacteria you are dealing with so that the doctor can properly target the treatment to what you have. I hope you will heal quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beebalm Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 So sorry you are struggling with this. A number of years ago, I struggled with an mrsa infection that one of my children contracted. She went to a church event with a non-chlorinated pool many kids shared in the summer (slide thing...wasn't hard to figure out). It took several rounds of antibiotics to get rid of it. Because it was very contagious, I made the whole family take showers instead of baths, didn't let anyone share towels, used tons of bleach and hot water in the wash. It was a pain. Literally...my poor child didn't want me near it. One product I found very helpful was Hibiclens. Walgreens carries it. A nurse recommended it to me. I used it to clean the sore when rebandaging (along with Bactriban) and used it to wash my hands. A lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deacongirl Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 It really needs to be cultured. In the meantime--you must keep warm compresses on it to get it to drain. Keep it very well covered. Use gloves when you change dressing. And until it heals I would bleach your sheets and towels after 1 use just to be safe. I am a little surprised that your dr. didn't investigate further...hope it gets better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peela Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 One of the things they have used in hospitals here is tea tree oil- because staph is getting so antibiotic resistant that it is becoming a problem to treat, especially in immune lowered people. Tea tree trials were apparently quite successful but I dont know how much it is actually used. If I were treating myself at home, that is what i would use- or as a pp said grapefruit seed extract. But its certainly not something to muck around with. Here are some studies: http://tahilla.typepad.com/mrsawatch/mrsa_wounds_essential_oils/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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