I had to go to a Care Now clinic yesterday because I had a scab on my arm that got infected - there was a lot of soreness, redness and it started streaking up my arm. The doctor scraped the scab to clean the puss (sorry - TMI!), and I've been washing it with soap and water as instructed. He also put me on Bactrim DS antibiotics. It's scabbed over again, but my arm is still aching. I'm totally freaked out about this being a staph infection/MRSA. I left a message with my doctor, but I was just curious if the continuing pain/redness is normal and part of the healing process. The redness isn't worse, but I was hoping it would have diminished more than it has. I don't have a fever, and feel generally well, I'm really stressing myself out, though!
Turns out that Bactrim and I don't mix well - had a reaction on Monday and got out of hte hospital yesterday afternoon. It was diagnosed as cellilitis, but they treated it as MRSA. Rough week!
I'd give it a few days. Bactrim is the standard med for staph infection, but like the other poster said, it will take a few days to work if they didn't start you off with a shot.
Do go back if it gets worse or isn't better after 48 hrs of taking your medicine as directed.
Try to relax as well. Staph infections aren't nearly as "scary" as they used to be. Sadly, they are quite common and are easily treated.
R.,
I agree that it sounds as if your case of staph is not too serious - it can take a few days to see complete results. That being said, I disagree that MRSA is nothing to worry about. It you have time, check a few of my last requests - my son nearly died from MRSA septic shock Sept. 8,9, 10th. He spent 99 days in the hospital and is still recovering eight months later. MRSA can be a simple absess or it can be life threatening - never take it lightly and finish every last bit of medicine you have been prescribed....Take care!
My son had MRSA and did the same thing. They also put him on Bactrim, and it worked great. It took the redness/soreness a while to go away also. I know it is scary, and I would certainly get in touch with the dr to make sure, but your symptoms were just like my sons. Hope you feel better soon.
Your symptoms sound like mine when I had a simple kitchen burn. I went to a Care now and while I was there the red spot was getting bigger. They put me on an antibiotic (can't remember the name) wrapped my arm and said to use neosporin.
It healed so well that you cannot see it now but it scared the you know what out of me.
Go forward a few years....daughter just had a weird bump a couple months ago and after the Dr. swabbed it and tested, it was staph. She was on an antibiotic a few days and we treated it with Neosporin and bacitrican (sp)
I hope you get better soon....it is scary
This sounds just like when i had it. Do not worry. The doctor told us that MSRA is more common than the common cold. It does sound like you are doing everything you should be. However, when I had it the doc. told me to put hot wash cloths on it about 4 times a day. Also, there was an antibiotic cream called bactraban that you can put on the spot. You might ask about that. Hope feel better soon.
