Practical Tips for Treating Early-stage MRSA Infections

The Houston Chronicle, noting an increase in community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) infections, writes a helpful article. Below are some quotes, but I recommend reading the whole thing.

[Pediatrician Dr. Paula Schlesinger has] begun advising parents with youngsters with repeated skin infections to add two tablespoons of bleach to their bath water.

"It seems to me we're seeing more skin infections than we used to," Schlesinger said. "We're seeing children of all ages with boils and abscesses. They don't respond to the usual antibiotics."
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As Houston approaches summer, when the most severe cases of MRSA start appearing , experts are warning parents and others to be on the lookout for unusual-looking insect bites, or red and swollen spots following minor injuries.
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The infection, once seen only in hospitals, may start with something as simple as a mosquito bite or scratch.

In one fatal case reported by TCH in 2003, a 13-year-old boy developed the infection after stumbling on carpet and getting a rug burn.

Often, MRSA infections can be treated with topical antibiotics....[P]arents should pay close attention to scratches and insect bites on their children. Keep fingernails clean and trimmed short to cut down on germs spread by scratching.

Another newspaper article published today adds this detail about the appearance of CA-MRSA infections: "The community infections typically start as red, angry, itchy bumps and are often confused -- by patients and doctors -- with spider bites."