MRSA Support Group
Staph infections are infections caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus. They include skin infections, pneumonia, blood poisoning, toxic shock syndrome, and food poisoning. Infection can happen through contact, especially if you have open wounds. Most infections are treatable with antibiotics. If you have been infected with staph, join the group for support and advice.
I have been battling MRSA for almost 2 months now. Looked like spider bite was misdiagnosed, and had allergic reaction to using neosporin on my wound. Abt the time I was prescribed the right antibiotic and muprocin cream, it also cause cellulitis and the infection covered my body. I got better as it left a reminder of scars. 2 weeks later starting the recurring spider bumps once again and dr suggest to decolonize. I haven’t been cultured for MRSA yet but bc of the recurrence they believe I have it and treating it as such. I wanted to be in denial but bc it has come back aside from having 10 days of 2 different antibiotics I am also convinced it is so MRSA . This has definitely changed my life and it’s scary and frustrating. Currently on antibiotics again and body wash and nasal muprocin. In order to fight it I believe you have to attack it’s weekness and root. started taking vitamin D3 and vitamin c to helpboost my immune to fight off infection, bc the antibiotics work by suppressing it. I will also start probiotics once I finish my antibiotics to keep it up. I hope this change & decolonize helps get rid of it. I realize some do get rid of it and some are carriers. I guess I’ll find out if I’m one when I go to ID appointment. Nonetheless this battle with the superbug is super scary, a lot of work, time , mentally, physically psychologically & emotionally. I’m glad I’ve joined this site. We are not alone and together we share our experiences and give support as we will not let this bug defeat us! Stay strong-
eradicate 100% ..if they could it wouldn't be a growing problem. A person that has had a MRSA infection and is "successfully" decolonized (limited way of testing..not done though blood, only topically via skin, nasal hairs and wound cultures) is more prone to MRSA again than someone who has never been infected.
Decolonizing is also temporary and not a complete cure from recurrence. Nasal hairs can be decolonized but MRSA can be on any part of the skin and in almost any part internally. The problem with decolonizing is the same as with antibiotics..the nasal creams (muprocin) and body washes like Hibaclens (chlorhexodine) are over-used, wipe out good and bad skin flora and eventually staph aureus over powers them as well.
Antibiotics still have there place and have saved millions of people from sickness. If MRSA gets in the blood stream, infects organs and a person becomes septic then one strong antibiotic (such as Vancomycin) or a combination is usually needed to hopefully restore health. Unfortunately, bacteria has even become resistant to Vancomycin and almost every antibiotic to date...it just depends on the type (several strains) of MRSA on a particular individual. Even if Vancomycin or other antibiotic is successful it again creates the problem of hurting good gut flora.
Bacteria gets into a persons body through cuts in the skin. If you get a cut or scrape apply 3% hydrogen peroxide for a minute on the cut followed ant-bacterial soap. Wash your hands (scrub like a surgeon) including under finger nails often throughout the day for a minimum of twenty seconds with a regular (not ant-bacterial every-time) liquid or foaming soap. If you touch inside your nose or get snot on yourself or anything else then wash your hands. Use anti-bacterial wipes (lists staph aureus on back of can) to wipe down surfaces. If you have any pus drainage from a boil do not contact it with your hands or get it on surfaces, towels, clothing. Always bandage open wounds and disinfect any surface pus comes in contract with. Use a laundry booster that contains borax (such as 20 Mule team) in addition to non-allergic laundry detergent. Do not share razors or towels. Wash towels and sheets often with borax + laundry detergent. Do not use a dull razor and use 3% hydrogen peroxide + anti-bacterial soap as mentioned above after shaving any part of your body.
I am not a doctor and not prescribing anything. Whatever you decide to do is at your (or anyone else's) discretion. I've gathered most of this information from online resources. I would link the supplements I use but I'm not sure if I am allowed to so I will not. Ways of internal healing/control. Supplements on a daily basis unless otherwise noted:
*Take RCG (Raw Crushed Garlic) Allicin baths. Online search: Bob Anderson + garlic baths.
*Consume probiotics as often as possible. If taking antibiotics wait two hours after taking the antibiotic pills before consuming probiotics. Sources of probiotics: Traditional (not store bought ) sauerkraut ..easy to make at home: cabbage, brining, pink Himalayan or sea salt, and mason jars. Kimchi, yogurt, water and milk kefir drinks, miso paste (soup), and several others.
*High quality Turmeric capsules + biotin (pepper) 500 mg or higher per pill.
Garlic extract (Allicin) enteric coated pills 180 mg (not mcg) or higher.
*High quality olive leaf extract (Oleuropien) pills 750 mg or higher.
*Vitamin C (as you stated) 2000 mg
*Vitamin D3 (as you stated) or get natural sunlight for 15 minutes (no sunscreen) on as much of your body as possible. This doesn't have to be daily..use common sense and discretion to avoid any type of damage from the sun.
I take two ounces of homemade Master Tonic (google search) daily. I can't say whether or not it helps to combat MRSA but I feel it helps with overall health.
Cut down or eliminate: processed sugars, animal meats raised on antibiotics, foods that are grown with pesticides, starches. Some sites recommend a diet to control Leaky-Gut Syndrome to combat MRSA. There is debate whether chronic leaky gut is real or not. Online search and decide for yourself.
Externally for infections boils, furuncles, ingrown hairs:
For all essential oils listed skin test first a small area for allergic reaction. make sure label reads 100% oil for any type of oil listed. Some oils such as oregano oil is very strong should be combined with a carrier oil such as olive or coconut oil to reduce any risk of burns.
Use one fine tip cotton applicator only once per infection and then discard and use another one if need be. Do not cross contaminate by applying then dipping tip back into essential oil bottle. Also, do not use one cotton applicator for multiple infections..use one and discard as noted above.
*Tea tree oil (alone or in combination with other essential oils).
* Lavender oil (alone or in combination with other essential oils).
* Ginger oil (alone or in combination with other essential oils).
* Thyme oil (alone or in combination with other essential oils).
* High grade (grown wild in Greece) oregano oil: this is the most potent oil and can burn skin..carrier oil is advised with use.
* Twice a day body wash that has tea tree oil in it
* Manuka honey from New Zealand. Use UMF approved only 15+ or higher
Other remedies I have used and didn't mention but can be found via online search.
There is no one size fits all approach as there are many strains of MRSA and individuals may respond differently from each other concerning treatment.
MRSA control requires knowledge and diligence to prevent reinfections to themselves and spread of infection to others.
Doctors prescribe antibiotics because that's what they have been trained to do. Very few have knowledge of natural approaches and even fewer would be willing to prescribe a specific dosage of any of the treatments/supplements I just listed because they do not fall within their training, or they fear a lawsuit With that said when you see an infectious disease doctor be clear with him/her about your use of supplements and topical approach. Maybe they will listen and have information besides an antibiotic related approach. If you choose to decolonize you may want to consider inhaling raw crushed garlic or a cream with tea tree oil in for nasal hairs.
I should probably make a post of all those recommendations..it's quite the mini-book lol.