Category: Antimicrobial Products

A drug-resistant “superbug” that doctors have been dreading has shown up in the U.S. for the first time. Protect yourself with antimicrobial products.

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Skin Infection Series

 

Necrotizing Fasciitis – A common bacterial skin infection

Necrotizing Fasciitis is also known as the flesh eating bacterial skin infection. It is commonly seen due to bacterial infection of staphylococcus and streptococcus. Some other bacteria involved in this infection include E.coli, Clostridium, Klebsiella etc.

This type of bacterial skin infection leads to necrosis and death of the affected tissue and is sudden in onset and severely progressive in nature. It requires immediate attention and can lead to fatal conditions or may produce conditions that lead to amputation of the limbs if left untreated.

Signs And Symptoms Of Necrotizing Fasciitis

 

  • History of trauma or any bacterial infection in wild or in the closed environment.
  • Intense pain
  • Inflammation of the affected area
  • Fever mostly high grade is recorded
  • Tachycardia or increased heart rate is noted
  • Abnormal respiratory sounds can be heard known as crepitus
  • Skin color progressively changes to violet and blister formation occurs
  • The temperature of the affected area is mostly raised.

 

Treatment of Necrotizing Fasciitis

  • Debridement of skin – Surgical removal of the damaged skin is done to prevent bacteria from progressively involving the other normal tissue and skin.
  • Use  high potency anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal topical lotion such as Microsan® RX Lotion.Microsan Rx Lotion
  • Amputation or removal of the damaged limb may be considered in case of irreversible damage.

 

Skin grafting is done once the debridement completes

 

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Public Pools Are Swimming With Infections

Public Pool Infections

A little over a week ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a press release warning that outbreaks of a parasite called Cryptosporidium, or Crypto, have doubled in the United States since 2014, from 16 to 32 cases. The diarrhea-causing parasite can infect people in pools and water parks, spreading when someone swallows — yup — water contaminated with the feces of a sick person.

In fact, most infections from public pools are due to Crypto, Federico Laham, MD, the medical director for Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital Infectious Diseases, told Fox News. That’s because Crypto is more resistant to chlorine than your average bug: Usually, common concentrations of chlorine in public pools are not enough to kill the parasite, Laham explained.
But Crypto is far from the only disease lurking in public swimming pools. Some infections, like E. coli or Hepatitis A, are also transmitted from fecal matter that others then swallow in the pool. Other infections, like swimmer’s ear, occur when bacteria get inside your ear and start overgrowing, causing painful skin swelling, Laham said.

Another fun one? Lice. Laham explained that you can actually get lice from infected public swimming pools, though your chances are reduced if you have your hair up in a ponytail or bun. Otherwise, Laham said, your hair is essentially mopping up the pool to pick up lice.

But there is some good news: You’re not likely to get a sexually transmitted infection (STI) from a pool, Laham said.

How to protect yourself
There are a few easy ways to protect yourself: First, avoid swallowing water. Try to keep your ears dry and your hair up, and don’t go swimming if you have an open wound or diarrhea, Laham said. Make sure the public pool you’re going to is visibly well maintained and operated — you should be able to smell the chlorine, Laham explained. And, when you’re done swimming, shower and rinse off all excess chlorine and chemicals.