How To avoid dangerous staph infections

There's some nasty stuff floating around out there. We're entering the time of year when infections pass around more quickly. Here's some advice from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) about avoiding a specific form of treatment-resistant bacteria. Heeding this advice will help you avoid a lot of other germs, too.

"Good hygiene is the best way to avoid infection from a potentially dangerous drug-resistant germ called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. A new government report suggests that more 90,000 Americans annually get an invasive form of the disease, which can be deadly.

This staph infection sometimes first appears on the skin as a red, swollen pimple or boil that may be painful or have pus. It can be spread by close skin-to skin contact or by touching surfaces contaminated with the germ. (Wash hands every time you come home after being out in public).

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises:

* Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
* Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
* Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages.
* Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.

Handwashing is one of the very best ways to prevent infection and the spread of infection. The important thing is to avoid any soap containing Triclosan. Triclosan does promote S. aureus infection because it alters the pH or 'acid mantle' naturally occurring on skin, along with the naturally occurring S. aureus.

I suggest using pure and natural castile soap. This is inexpensive and available in most health stores. You can also add pure essential oils to this soap to make it much more naturally effective for prevention. Pure essential oils do not become resistant to bacteria.

Alcohol based hand sanitizers dry the skin and make it more prone to injury thereby increasing the risk of infection. There is a new hand sanitizer that is not acohol based. Use natural care products such as KettleCare (.com) to avoid toxic ingredients used in commercial lotions and even in some sold as "natural"products.

If you do have a cut or open sore or wound of the skin make sure it is washed and rinsed, patted dry (best to use a paper towel), covered first with a lubricant and then apply a clean bandage. I sugugest a natural ointment made with comfrey, cayenne or BF&C ointment. A little dab will do ya. Repeat frequently to assure the wound stays clean until healed."