MRSA Support Group

My only comment on this is 2 PAs, 2 Dermatologists, 2 ID doctors, a surgeon and family doctor ALL told my husband not to squeeze and try to lance own boils. They said it could be dangerous and spread the infection. Now I can't decide if they are saying this just to protect themselves or to make money OR if it is true.

I don't know. There is probably a good bit of truth in that. I caught this REALLY early though- felt it and saw it right away and right away the tea tree oil went on it and the oil of oregano and started taking the silver, the juicer came out, the garlic dose dbled.... if it would have been a half day even further since it appeared I probably would not have had the same luck. Honestly, I wouldn't have even called it a boil at this stage... although I suppose it was. It looked like a really large pimple (kinda, not exactly) and for two days got redder and redder. The main two reasons I know it wasn't a pimple is- 1- if you could see how red this got (still kinda is, though now there is scar tissue/a scab)- I mean you could look in a mirror from five feet away and it was BRIGHT RED. I have never gotten a pimple like that. And 2- A couple days before this appeared I was SICK... not cold symptoms, not really flu symptoms but almost... I had a fever, body aches, was laying on the couch just exhausted and achey and just a general feeling of sickness. That is the feeling I get everytime mrsa decides to come back .. the sick feeling and exactly how.. this... (I suppose it was a boil but, like I said, I caught it right away so I don't even know if it should be called that)...

Something is wrong with my digital camera- well, not the camera itself. I can take pictures but it won't let me upload them to the computer. I'm gonna see if I can get a clear enough picture with my phone of it, what it looks like now (obviously) and if I can post it on here.

I will also talk to my ID doctor next time I go in there about what you said... I'm sure there is reason. I'm sure it can spread the infection. I also think they could be, at least partially, trying to protect themselves as well.
I ALSO believe there is probably a huge bit of difference in how far along it is... although that is my own logic and nothing I say is meant to tell anyone else what to do. Just wanted to post about this here b/c it made me super happy. =)

Two things struck me about your story. One, it sounds like you are getting very attuned to your body (achy feeling precedes outbreak), and your immediate reaction with all your arsenal did exactly what you wanted - gave your system the boost it needed to keep a boil from even really developing. Very encouraging to me, seems like this is what everyone is working towards!

I learned something from your experience. My story is that I am a recent ly cross-infected family member (mom of a teen just diagnosed after his second boil). I haven't been on antibiotics in a long time, and my experience so far has just been suspicious itchy red marks ('bug bite' haha) plus one HOT PINK polka dot on the arm no pain, no itch, flat...Homeopathic silver gel has knocked them out within a day. By comparison, our son was brutalized by antibiotics twice in the last few months before we knew anything about MRSA.. His 'suspicious skin events' (how's that for a euphemism? ) become pimple- like very fast, but the color is a clue - the off purple-red is different from an ordinary pimple. I read that as having an immune system that is not as strong as mine yet. We are all on supplements. (Hubby so far is good, but he has always been obsessive after a bout of regular staph in his twenties...)

:) F R

I had four boils since January of 09. I had the second one in May tested for MRSA which was positive. Coincidentally, I got pregnant in January of 09, almost exactly when the first boil appeared. All of the boils I got were huge red welts that came to a head after a few days and were filled with virulent pus. I would get sick a few days before they appeared with the same symptoms you described. Because I was pregnant, I was not given any anti-biotics. None the entire pregnancy. I followed the doctors advice when I felt the boils coming on. Basically washing with anti-bacterial soap and using the Muciproprin. I have yet to have to have any of them surgically drained. I went to the doctor (dermatologist) each time to have her pop them open so I wouldn't spread the infection. But basically they were like excrutiating pimples that I could have squeezed on my own. Each one healed leaving a small purple scar. To date I have not taken any anti-biotics for the MRSA.

So I had my baby in September and just about a week after he was born, I felt another boil starting in my armpit.
Because I was scared I would be put on 6 weeks of anti-biotics and couldn't breastfeed, I washed the area with Hibiclens and put Muciproprin on it and covered with a bandage. I followed this routine for about a week. It went away without even becoming a big welt. No popping or draining needed whatsoever. I truly believe I had the first stages of a boil because it was under my armpit right after I shaved; it hurt like hell and was very hard and the area was hot to the touch. I've had many pimples in my life; none under my arm and none that have felt like that. ALL of my boils started exactly like that.

I pray I don't get one that will get so bad it needs to be cut out. I'm probably going to go on the anti-biotics for the next one I get but my point is that it is possible for these to clear up on their own. I'm happy you are so relieved by your experience and hope it doesn't come back at all!

They tell you not to squeeze them yourself because there is head in the bottom of all that puss and if you don't sqeeze from the bottom up you could push the head down and have a bigger situation. I know it feels alot better after the pressure is released though. And I've always done it my self and to my kides and never had a problem. Just make sure everything is starile and you wash after words with antibacteral soap.

Strangelove...that's is what I was told also. We just call it a "core". When I had my first boils I ended up going to the ER because I had the red line running up arm that signals a blood infection. The ER doctor was so nice about lancing them. He also showed me how to drain them or any new ones that might show up. It was more like putting pressure on each side of the boil and not actually squeezing it.

I've had at least 15 large boils and only needed to have 5 lanced. It really isn't as bad as it sounds. It is much better than the pain from the pressure. If they need to pack it...well, then that can hurt.

Sounds like you are right on track with listening to your body. I think that is so very important no matter what your health condition is.

FRose.. Thanks for your reply. (i may have another post or two addressing some other people,not sure..). I think there is a time period that you get. The more in tune with your body (and soul, if you believe in that, but your center, your intuition, ...whatever really is your balance/center and MAYBE, just MAYBE if you've been taking care of your body as much as you can and you're lucky enough to have a good immune system (a lot of it sadily had to do w/ just age... hmm... thread?).... your body can then be ready to take a few alternative treatments, that the FACTS back up, ... I spent HOURS... because I am allergic to 4 mrsa antibiotics... so i kinda went nuts with my research on my 4th infection (the one before i "cured" on my own), but my researched payed off. i wouldn't, myself, WAIT on going to my IDD. It's something that the DAY, no... the SECOND i got that intuition "okay it's def mrsa"... i'd calm myself down... get into a nice zone, i'd tell my hubby what was up... show him. he's seen them all the way (doesnt get them) n then just... go on my plan of attack and get in a peaceful zone also. the brain, the body, the right timing.
if it was 2 days later or quickly getting.. LARGE. i would have went to the doctor.
sorry for ramble. :)