by Harry Burlington

Created on: January 11, 2011

MRSA or Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aereaus develops by several different methods and is highly contagious.  Mainly, MRSA develops through entrance into a surgical wound, scrap, small cut, or skin pore causing an the MRSA infection to spread.  The things to keep in mind are a high fever, swelling, redness around open areas of the skin, and no decrease in symptoms if a Penicillin based anti-biotic is used.  MRSA responds to anti- biotic's like Bactrim or Clyndamisn only, making it difficult to treat at first.  Swabbing of the wound will determine positive tests for light sensitivity and type of Staph infection, if positive for MRSA it will be shown.

Some major factors that contribute to spontaneous development of MRSA is contact of the skin with MRSA infected towels.  Towels are a great place for MRSA to live, a warm moist environment will give bacteria the optimum place to grow and spread.  Couches, although not always moist, are a breeding grounds for MRSA bacteria when a person sits continuously in one spot with a sore or cut faced down into the couch.  The armpits, groin, and back of the legs are dark, warm, and moisture while a person is stagnet and can lead to the development of Community Based Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aereaus to develop.  Community MRSA is a type of staph that affects the skin cells and pores, causing multiple small lumps to develop under the skin call Cellitus.  Cellitus has similar symptoms as common staph infections and may be hard to diagnose due to these lumps not being in noticeable spots on the body.  Cellitus also does not get looked for during a routine medical exam, unless the patient brings up the spots to the doctor.  Cellitus needs to be opened up and drained, this can be done by your family doctor or if more complicated, by a surgeon.

Personal hygiene is very big in the contribution of MRSA development and spreading from person to person in similar proximity.  Cleaning the cracks and creases of a oneself will prevent many unwanted skin problems from developing, but MRSA seems to enjoy those who have poor hygiene skills.  The excess of dead skin cells in dark and constantly moist areas of the body are, as stated before, wonderful areas for MRSA to call home.  Point being is this; how does MRSA develop?  Just like any other disease or infection, by not covering wounds and washing hands or body.

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