We’ve had our share of diaper rashes around here. And we don’t go rushing to the doctor each time we have a new outbreak. We did go when Benjamin got his first boil, back in January. But not for the second boil, a week ago. (It was on his belly and only lasted a couple days.) And not for all the little bumps that didn’t seem to be causing any discomfort.
But we went again yesterday when Olivia got her first boil, which was bigger, redder, and more painful than either of Benjamin’s.
And, finally, yesterday, we were given a name for all the bumps and boils that have plagued our children.
MRSA.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
(A staph infection resistant to most antibiotics.)
Apparently there’s a slight epidemic in this area. It’s so popular that Wal-Mart couldn’t even completely fill my prescription. They’re rationing. I have to go back tomorrow when they get more in.
It is harbored in the nose, and spread when runny noses are wiped with hands that then touch other little hands, which then rub an open cut or sore. The bumps, boils, and abscesses don’t break out where touched, so much, as in the diaper region. (Hence the reason we thought it was persistent diaper rash.)
And, being a resistant strain, it takes quite the battle to defeat this bug.
- Oral antibiotics for both children 2x/day for two weeks.
- Antibiotic cream for both children 4x/day for two weeks.
- Antibiotic cream up EVERYONE’S NOSES 2x/day for two weeks.
- Nightly baths with a capful of bleach for both children for one week.
- Bleach sprayed on all toilets multiple times per day for one week.
Resistant strains of bacteria are NOT FUN. And it’s frustrating to know that it could have been prevented if the general populace would just work together and follow the rules.
MRSA is made resistant by the following:
- People not finishing their antibiotics. PLEASE FINISH YOUR ANTIBIOTICS. If you don’t follow your doctors instructions to the ‘T’, the bacteria will not be fully defeated and will, instead, defeat the antibiotic, requiring a new, improved antibiotic.
- People receiving unnecessary antibiotics. Apparently these things are handed out like candy. People are receiving them for colds and flus and other viral situations where they do absolutely no good. Simple bacterial infections that would have otherwise cleared on their own also receive unnecessary antibiotics.
- The food and water we ingest also give us unnecessary antibiotics. Given to livestock in excess amounts, the antibiotics then run off into streams and get into municipal water supplies, which in turn affect crops. Not to mention the milk you drink…
Of course, it is within the characteristics of bacteria for it to mutate and eventually become resistant to antibiotics. But we don’t need to be helping it along!
Sigh.
So that’s my soapbox.
Excuse me while I go shove a cream-laden swab up my nose…
Oh my goodness, that’s awful. My grandpa battled MRSA awhile ago and it was not fun. I hope the kiddos get rid of it soon and that you and the hubs manage to avoid it!
bummer about the MSRA!!! i will say though that the biggest surprise of this post is that you shop at walmart! i actually only just vowed to quit myself last month. i knew it was “bad” but reading about some of their practices for myself really convicted me. i know the prices are fabulously cheap but the company’s principals/practices are not worth the money i save. for multiple years now it’s made the top 10 worst corporations & there’s even been a documentary done on it…
http://www.dmoz.org/Society/Issues/Business/Allegedly_Unethical_Firms/Wal-Mart/
MRSA that is….
Amanda, I know… I know. I only RARELY go there anymore. And only for things like super-glue and rubbermaid storage containers. And to exchange birthday gifts that were too big (as was the case yesterday). I’d go to Target for the other things, but that’s a 25 min drive as opposed to a 5 min drive.. and sometimes that wins out.
Bummer about MRSA! Hope you can get rid of it! And I blame the docs for over prescribing antibiotics. Just this past week I brought Cody in to have his eye checked out since he got something in it and it was all red and swollen. He couldn’t find anything and told me the redness should go away in a day or two (which it did) since it was just scratched. Then he wrote a prescription for antibiotic eye drops and wrote the diagnosis as conjunctivitis. WHAT?! How the heck does that all work? Were the drops going to heal him faster? No. There was no purpose for it at all. I just don’t understand…….
haha beth, i just read that you were the natural mom-“not the organic or hippy mommy.” so the wal-mart trip makes more sense now:) j/k
i totally understand the return/exchange too dilemma….
I had battled the MRSA infection for 8 months – it was terrible. I finally got rid of it by doing the following:
1) Went to a natropath – started an immune system regimen
2) Got rid of ALL anntibiotic soaps – Except 1 for if illness sruck – like the flu, strep, etc.
3) Only ate organic meat, milk, eggs
4) Prayed ALOT
I personally did the nose treatment and washed in Hibiclense 1 x a week. Mine had spread into my blood stream and only reacted to 1 antibiotic that I had begun to become immune to. It was serious business and the conventional doctors wanted to keep pumping drugs into my system – this effected all aspects of my life. You can read more on my blog if you would like or e-mail me sometime and I can give you more details. I have refused antibiotic treatments for myself and my children – unless my natropath agrees that it is time for that route. (only happened once when my youngest had strep)
Good luck and I pray that your family stays safe and healthy!
Amy Q
Oh honey! I am so sorry to hear that. I hope that yall heal fast. What is your midwife saying for you and #3?
MEDI Honey cures MRSA
So sorry to hear about your MRSA. We have it, too, and our doctor did not hold out any hope of us being able to get rid of it. He said that the nasal creams and such only have a 30% success rate, so I am excited to hear if your program works. If it does, maybe we will try it, too. We started on a program of spraying our noses with 500 ppm colloidal silver. We stopped having outbreaks, as long as we spray more than twice a week or so. If we stop it comes right back. And along the way, when we told people we had it, we found ourselves ostracized and kicked out of some of our children’s activities. This last year has not been a fun journey for us. I hope you get rid of it without getting colonized. I would LOVE to see the back of it.
All our outbreaks have been right where the touch was: my son has eczema, which he scratches and gives himself boils, and all mine have been on my breasts, where Baby scratched me with her dirty little fingers. So I am surprised to hear that yours is traveling through the body to the diaper rash instead of breaking out where the original contact is. What does that mean?
Boo! I hope that you can lick this bug into submission. I would add a few things to your list of why MRSA is so rampant. One is the antibacterial hand soap. Regular soap and water work just as well for the majority of stuff so it is totally unnecessary.
Wow, I’m so sorry! That stinks!
Just out of curiosity, how are you handling the diapering situation with cloth diapers? Do you have to dissinfect the diapers as well to avoid reinfecting the little ones? I have heard this is a very serious infection to deal with.
Hi everyone,
I came accross this website and realized that some of you are struggling with MRSA. I understand the horror of dealing with MRSA.
My own family was nearly destroyed by a vicious strain of flesh eating MRSA. It nearly took our oldest son’s life within 72 hrs. We found a very potent natural antibiotic and we were able to defeat MRSA without any further medical care. We have all been free of any signs of MRSA for 3 yrs. Since that time we have helped hundreds to recover from MRSA also.
I hope our story is encouraging to you.
God bless you all, Cathy
Our MRSA recovery story, MRSA information:
http://www.optimalhealthusa.com
cathy@optimalhealthusa.com
Thanks for revealing these types of handy information. A person’s article The Natural Mommy » MRSA Attacks the Natural Family really facilitates us a lot. You should check my personal post too, in case you differ, additionally you can get away from your opinion.