INFECTIONS CAUSED BY MRSA-2

this is second type of infection caused by MRSA.
A boli is also reffered as skin abscess,is a localized infection deep in the skin.A boil generally starts as a reddened,tender area.Over time the area becomes firm and hard.Eventually the center of the abscess softens and becomes filled with infection -fighting white blood cell that the body sends from the bloodstream to eradicate the infection.This collections of white blooad cells,bacteria and protein is known as pus.Fnally the pus "forms a head" which can be surgically opened or spontaneously drain out through the surface of the skin.

There are seven different types of boils,but the main are listed below.....

1. FURUNCLE or CARBUNCLE : This is the abbscess of skin caused by bacterium staphylococcus aureus.A furuncle may have one or more opening onto the skin and may be associated with a fever or chills.

2. CYSTIC ACNE : This is a type of abscess that is formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected.cystic acne affects deeper skin tissue that the more superficial inflammation from common acne.cystic acne is most common on the face and typically occurs in teenage age.

3. HERADENITIS SUPPURATIVA : This is a condition in which there are multiple abscess that formed under the armpits and often in the groin region. These area are a result of local inflammation of the sweet glands.This form of skin infection is difficult to treat with antibiotics alone and typically requires a surgical procedure to remove the involved sweat gland in order to stop the skin inflammation

4. PILONIDAL CYST : This is a special kind of abscess that occurs in the crease of buttocks.Pilonidal cyst often begins as a tiny area of infections in the base of the area of skin from which the hair grows(the hair follicle).with irritation from direct pressure,overtime the inflammed area enlarges to become a firm,painful,tender nodule making it difficult to sit without discomfort.These frequently forms after long trip that involved prolonged sitting

WHY DO BOILS OCCURS??

There are many causes of bolis.Some boils can be caused by an ungrown hair,other can forms as a result of a spinter or other foreign material that has become logged in the skin.some boils auch as acne are caused by plugged sweat gland that become infected.
The skin is an important part of our immune defense against material and microbes that are foreign to our body.Any break in the skin,a cut or a scrap can develop into an abscess.

WHO IS LIKELY TO DEVELOP A BOIL??

Anyone can develop a boli but people with diabetis or kidney failure and hypogammaglobulinemia are more prone to this as their immune system has become too weak to resist it.

TREATMENT OF BOIL :

The primary treatment for boil is heat application usually with hot soaks or hot packs.Heat application increases the circulation to the area and allows the body to bette fight of the infections by bringing antibodies and white blood cells to the site of infection.
As long as boil is firm and small,opening the area and draining the boil is not helpful,even if area is painful,however once the boil becomes soft"forms head"(i.e. a small pustule is noted in the boil it is ready to drain and after draining pain is relifed.
Many medication can suppress the normal immune system and increase the risk of developing boils,these medications include cortisone medication(prednisone and prednisolone) and medication used for cancer chemotherapy so we should remain extra careful if we are taking these kinds of medications.
Sometimes antibiotics can also be used to elimintate the accompanying bacterial infection.Especially if there is an infection of surrounding skin,doctors generally prescribes antibiotics but still additional surgical operations is needed to cure this.

INFECTIONS CAUSED BY MRSA -1

this is image of cellulitis - a skin infection caused due to MRSA.

MRSA infections starts out with a small red bumps that can quickly turn into painful abscesses.
Cellulitis refers to infections of skin or fat or tissue that lie immediately beneath the skin ,usually starting as a small red bumps in the skin.

Symptoms of cellulitis :
cellulitis usually begins as a small area of tenderness,swelling and redness.As this red area begins to enlarge the person may develops a fever sometimes with chills and sweats and swollen lymph nodes(swollen glands) near the area of infected skins.
unlike impetigo which is a very superficial skin infection,cellulitis refers to an infection also involving the skin's deeper layer:the dermis and subcutaneous tissue.here main bacteria which cause cellulitis is staphylococcus but sometimes ocasionaley some other bacteria may also cause cellulitis.

Risk factor for cellulitis :
People whose immune system have been weekend for any reason (including chemotherapy for cancer and other immune supressing drugs) and also those who are dibetic are at higher risks for developing cellulitis.
also people with poor leg circulation may often develop scaly redness on the shins and ankles; this is called statis dermatitis and is often mistaken for the bacterial infection of cellulitis.

Causes of cellulitis :

the majority cases of cellulitis is caused either by staph(staphylococcus) or strep(streptococcus) bacteria.
cellulitis may also caused by some other types of bacteria,like in children below the age of H.flu(Hemophilus influenza) may cause cellulitis especially on face,arm and upper torso.Cellulitis from a dog or cat bite or scratch may be caused by the bacteria which has a vey short incubation period of only four to twenty-four hrs.Aeromonas hydrophilia,vibrio vulnificus and other bacteria are cause of cellulitis that develos after exposure to freshwater or sea water. Pasterulla multocida,Pseudomonas aeruginosa is another type of bacteria that cause cellulitis,typically after a puncture wound.

Is Cellulitis contagious??

cellulits is not contagious because it is an infection of skin's deeper layer(the dermis and subcutaneous tissue), and the skin's top layer(epidermis) provides a cover over infection.

How is cellulitis treated?

firstly it is important for the doctor to distinguish whether the inflammation is due to an infection or not?The history and physical examination may provide clue in this regard,as can sumtime an elevated white blood cell count.A culture of bacteria may also be valuable but in many cases the concentration of bacteria may be low and culture fails to demonstrates the causative organism.
When this becomes difficult or imposible for the doctor's to know whether it is inflammable or not then doctors just start treating with antibiotics for confirmation,if condition does not respond then it may need to change. For example if inflammation is thought to be because of auto immune disorder treatment may be with corticosteroid.