Staph Infection (MRSA)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is caused by a strain of staph bacteria that's become resistant to the antibiotics commonly used to treat ordinary staph infections.

• Most MRSA infections occur in people who've been in hospitals or other health care settings, such as nursing homes and dialysis centers. When it occurs in these settings, it's known as health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). HA-MRSA infections typically are associated with invasive procedures or devices, such as surgeries, intravenous tubing or artificial joints.
• Another type of MRSA infection has occurred in the wider community — among healthy people. This form, community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA), often begins as a painful skin boil. It's spread by skin-to-skin contact. At-risk populations include groups such as high school wrestlers, child care workers and people who live in crowded conditions.

Symptoms

Staph skin infections, including MRSA, generally start as small red bumps that resemble pimples, boils or spider bites. These can quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses that require surgical draining. Sometimes the bacteria remain confined to the skin. But they can also burrow deep into the body, causing potentially life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the bloodstream, heart valves and lungs.

Home remedies

• (Blue) Light Therapy : an average of 90.4% strains of MRSA were killed within minutes of exposure to simple blue light. These significant levels of photo-destruction at low dosages indicate that irradiation with 470nm LED light energy may be a practical, inexpensive alternative to treatment with pharmacological agents, particularly in cases involving cutaneous and subcutanious MRSA infections that are susceptible to non-invasive types of radiation.
• Echinacea possesses the ability to destroy the most virulent bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus which causes deadly MRSA.
• Lavender oil inhibits the growth of methicillin-sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA)
• Mango seed kernel extract may potentially be useful as an alternative therapeutic agent or an adjunctive therapy along with penicillin G in the treatment of MRSA infections.
• Manuka Honey fights serious infection caused by MRSA
• The inhalation of tea catechin appears to suppress MRSA infection in the elderly.
• Tea tree oil topical preparations are superior to standard topical regimen for the clearance of MRSA colonization.
• Green Tea exhibits anti-MRSA activity.
• Grape seed extract has bactericidal effects on MRSA.
• A combination of Citricidal (grapefruit seed extract) and geranium oil showed the greatest anti-bacterial effects against MRSA.
• Thyme and Eucalyptus oil have antibacterial activity against MRSA isolates.
• Topical nanocrystalline silver dressing may provide an alternative treatment for MRSA infected wounds to oral antimicrobials.
• Elecampane (Inula helenium) has potent antisaphylococcal activity, including against MRSA.
• A medieval tenth-century salve consists of two species of Allium (garlic, plus either onion or leek), wine from a vineyard that has existed since the ninth century and oxgall — the bile from a cow’s stomach.

Warnings

MRSA infections can resist the effects of many common antibiotics, so they are more difficult to treat. This can allow the infections to spread and sometimes become life-threatening.

MRSA infections may affect your:

• Bloodstream
• Lungs
• Heart
• Bones
• Joints

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.