Valkyrie (Denver, Co) on 08/20/2011:

Going to a Dr. can be a valuable step in dealing with MRSA, but even if you do this, you may still get boils. It's an anti-biotic resistant bacteria the medical establishment doesn't know how to treat. They have had some luck with sulfa antibiotics with some strains, go ahead and try - I'm allergic to sulfates, so I have had to find prevention and maintenance regimes.

Other pieces of advise my Dr's have recommended are:

Scrub with Hibiclense in bath and apply around nose frequently (bacteria can live a long time inside your nose and if you have face infections this is a sign this will especially help), bathe with bleach if you have an infection. I've tried tea-tree oil too, and have found little difference with the effectiveness of Hibiclense, but I think you do need something stronger - unfortunately Bleach is the best I found - if you have active infections to prevent spreading.

As far as how to handle existing infections, I've really had to do this on my own. Here's what I found:

Immediately bandage any suspected infection with a fabric bandage and ichthammol ointment - about 20% strength usually petroleum jelly or lanolin filler, often labeled "drawing cream", sometimes with some other sulfates added, at rite-aid, online, or can be ordered from most pharmacies. This drawing cream was used on staph infections and boils prior to the advent of antibiotics, and is still effective after the use of antibiotics stopped working with MRSA.

It's important infections are constantly covered, as soon as you notice a pimple that starts to feel sore - if it was just a pimple it will go away quicker too. It does stain fabric and is messy and somewhat musty smelling. But this treatment will allow boils to swell to a head and drain much quicker, so they do not get as large and painful and risk infecting lymph nodes, etc.

Once an infection has started to drain, you should squeeze the infection. In the emergency room this is done by placing one hand in a circle around infection while squeezing from the outside to the inside with the other hand. This is gross, but will eliminate the infection quicker. Usually a hard pus 'seed' needs removed or the sore will reinfect. Sometimes tweezers are necessary for this. Occasionally, if a infection grows too large - lets say 2 inches of swelling- , or is close to a lymph node or other sensitive area, like a spine or throat - this should probably be done by a Doctor in the emergency room. They will have to treat you even with no insurance, mention MRSA you will get a room very quick, say you're homeless and have no ID if you have to but do go to the emergency room. Although how to lance is somewhat self-explanatory, sterilization is nearly impossible and it's extremely painful and would be really hard for a person to do to themselves. If you are able to drain your own infection, immediately wash with a lot of bleach. Now wash the sink, floor around you and entire area with bleach. Now go shower and scrub with bleach. This will help prevent other infection on yourself - or worse, infecting your family.

After you think your infection has drained, it still needs to stay under a ichthammol fabric bandage. Otherwise reinfection of the sore is common. Leave a bandage on for one more week, change daily and squeeze opening for any remaining discharge, if you get more pus restart your week.

I have started taking Turmeric in addition to my other supplements after looking through this site which has further decreased infection frequency I think.