#SPIDER BITE SKIN#

So, be appropriately afraid of those “spider bites”…. Cover the infected areas with appropriate “occlusive”dressings to reduce risk of spreadĪNY suspicion of MRSA infection requires immediate medical attention.

If antibiotics started, must have minimum of 72 hour coverage.Any drainage must have ended for at least 24-48 hours.Return to play after MRSAĪfter starting treatment for MRSA infection, the following minimal conditions must be met before return to contact or collision activities: Oral antibiotics are generally first-line for more skin-surface infections.ĭeeper or more complicated infections might require hospitalization for intra-venous antibiotics or more aggressive surgical care. With deeper infections (muscles, joints, or bones) or where drainage can’t be done or is ineffective, antibiotics may be prescribed. Thus, in certain cases, wound drainage alone (without antibiotic use) is a sensible treatment option. We think that relative overuse of antibiotics in the past helped create these more resistant bacteria. This can identify the offending bacteria and what best choice of antibiotic(s) may be used if needed in treatment Important to send drained fluid to the lab for culture.The mere act of opening the wound and allowing drainage can get rid of the infection.When I see suspicious wounds, if possible, I try to open them up to release yellow “pus” material.Ĭalled “incision and drainage”, this otherwise gross procedure serves two very important purposes: Treating spider bites and other raised wounds There is ongoing misinformation about the effects of suspected spider bites, because past information has been based on circumstantial evidence. Frequently clean playing surfaces, equipment, tables and/or benches with appropriate anti-bacterial products Spider bites are a common problem with numerous calls being made to poisons information centres annually.Require individual towels, wash clothes, hairbrushes, nail clippers, soaps, and other personal grooming products.

#SPIDER BITE SKIN#

Studies have shown that sharing of items can increase spreading MRSA or other skin infections.Wash clothing daily in hot water and/or use clean sets of clothing for each practice or game.Remove gear and clothing right after exercise followed by an immediate shower.Wear protective devices such as gloves and eye/mouth shields when working with potential or known MRSA infection.Do not allow return until appropriate medical treatment and clearance Remove any individual with skin problems (especially “spider bites”) from group activities.Anything that looks sketchy should receive immediate medical attention Frequent self skin checks looking for open wounds, raised “angry” areas, or other abnormal skin conditions.How can we prevent MRSA (aka spider bites)? Some individuals or even families, for reasons not fully understood, can get recurrent MRSA infections. However, do realize that any exposed skin can be at risk.Ĭaught early in the course, there is ultimately less chance for more complicated outcomes. Wounds that are open can readily spread MRSA to others.Ĭontact and collision activities (such as wrestling or football) tend to have higher outbreak rates. If left unchecked, MRSA infections can explode into limb and even life-threatening conditions. Any bacteria, including MRSA, can get involved in the wound. Take a simple small scratch or other break in the skin. MRSA infections are just those type of worrisome beasts.Īnd yes, they look “just like spider bites.” How do these spider bite look-a-likes get started? Overtime they have gained an ability to cause deeper infections.īy developing resistance to many antibiotics, some bacteria may not always respond to usual medical treatments. However, certain bacteria that live on the skin surface are more ruthless. Most of them are fairly decent organisms that do little to interrupt daily activities. There are also rumors that all spiders are venomous and people shouldn’t get in contact with them. We all have bacteria that grow on our skin.

However, MRSA infections have become much, much more common and just as frightening. I’m not trying to minimize spiders and the potentially harmful impact of their bites. The first thought should be a potentially devastating infection known as Methicillin-Resistant Staph Aureus or MRSAfor short. When something looks like a spider bite, think something else.