MRSA?

[travelingman101]

Hi all,

I have had this nasty skin infection for over 4 years now that won't go away. I believe I got it at a university dorm (which had black mold and other unsanitary things). It forms primarily on my arms as red boils (generally comes to the surface like a pimple) with inflammation and pus, takes months to heal, and quickly multiplies into multiple sores. Though generally on the arms, it has also spread to my chest, legs, and even cheek in past (active sores currently on arms). Nasty raised keloids form in the place of the sore and stay red for months or permanently. I have been to multiple doctors and none seem to be able to cure me. I had a nasal swab test done four years ago which came back positive for staph aureus, though doctors did not mention MRSA. Over the next few years I went to other doctors and a dermatologist, given such medications as bactrim, clindamycin, doxycyclin, mupirocin ointment, etc. None have worked. I went to a primary care doctor last week who performed a general bacterial culture on one of the sores I squeezed and sent of to the lab. The test came back negative and didn't identify any other bacteria present. This doesn't make any sense because what I have looks to be MRSA and is resistant to all meds I've been given and my nasal swab four years ago was positive (though some people are naturally colonized with it. I have an appointment with an infectious disease specialist next week, but I am at my wits end. I've attached a picture.

[mkh9]

Hi Willy 20,
I just saw your post today. I don't know why I didn't see it sooner. The photo doesn't really look like staph. It may just be the blisters and so forth you get from your genetic problem. That may be why it isn't responding to the antibiotic. Or, it isn't staph and it is another bacteria. Anytime the skin is open anything can get in. You may want to have a doctor look at it.
mkh9

[mkh9]

FYI, most impetigo is caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Some by Streptococcus pyogenes (the same strep that causes strep throat). This kind of Staph causes boils, or crusty kinds of infections. If it becomes multi-drug resistant then they call it MRSA. But yours probably isn't MRSA. Where do you have it and is it on a large part of your body? Usually, you can use the triple antibiotic ointment on it and that will take it away. If it is a small area you can scrub off the scab with a wash rag and then apply the ointment. Then don't reuse the wash rag again or wash it in bleach (10%). Wash your hands and anything you touch including the water tap, towels etc. If it is a large area then you may need to have oral antibiotics. For impetigo they probably don't have to culture it but it is best to see a doctor. It is pretty easily spread to others. So, be careful not to touch the area and touch others.
mkh9

[Willy20]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Infectious-Diseases/Urgent-HELP-needed--boils-saddle-sores/show/2436811

[Willy20]

Hi I have the same problem , but only on my butt area swiped came back negative aswell but boils keep coming back :( I have a post here if u maybe want too go read what she said too me

[travelingman101]

Just came across Impetigo, which looks like a spitting-image of what I have. It can be caused by staph too, so perhaps they are interrelated?