Newswise — More Americans are developing drug-resistant staph infections, known as MRSA, from common, relatively minor foot problems such as cuts, cracks in the skin, athlete’s foot and ingrown toenails, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). Foot and ankle surgeons are noting an increase in community-associated MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
MRSA Linked to Athlete’s Foot, Ingrown Toenails
“If you have a cut or a scrape that gets infected and it’s not healing in a timely fashion, don’t hesitate to get it checked out,” said Karl Collins, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon in St. Louis. Dr. Collins said he’s diagnosed community-associated MRSA infections in patients with athlete’s foot, and even a six-year-old who stubbed his toe.
Brandi Johnson, DPM, AACFAS, estimates treating 20 patients for community-associated MRSA last year. The Brandon, Florida foot and ankle surgeon says half of those patients had infected ingrown toenails. Puncture wounds, pedicures and cuts from glass and seashells caused the rest of the infections.
One of Johnson’s patients was a teenage boy. He waited months before seeing a doctor for an infected ingrown toenail. After the boy’s primary care doctor referred him to Johnson, she ran several tests. Results showed a community-associated MRSA infection. Even worse, it had spread to bone in the teen’s big toe. He recovered after six weeks of intravenous antibiotics.
“I’ve had several high schoolers come in with ingrown toenails recently,” Dr. Johnson said. “Their pediatricians started them on antibiotics and sent them to my office. Lab results showed they all had MRSA.”
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/552512/Bumping for those who may have missed it............Odd my sister inlaw had it on her face. She thought it was a bad pimple at first. Very interesting. Thanks, Lynn. Lindy