More Americans are developing drug-resistant staph infections, known as MRSA, from common, relatively minor foot problems, such as cuts, cracks in the skin, athlete’s foot and ingrown toenails.
“If you have a cut or a scrape that gets infected and it’s not healing in a timely fashion, don’t hesitate to get it checked out,” said Karl Collins, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon in St. Louis. Dr. Collins said he has diagnosed community-associated MRSA infections in patients with athlete’s foot and even a six-year-old who stubbed his toe.
Brandi Johnson, DPM, AACFAS, has treated numerous patients for community-associated MRSA. The Brandon, Fla., foot and ankle surgeon says half of those patients had infected ingrown toenails. Puncture wounds, pedicures and cuts from glass and seashells caused the rest of the infections.
One of Johnson’s patients was a teenage boy. He waited months before seeing a doctor for an infected ingrown toenail. After the boy’s primary care doctor referred him to Johnson, she ran several tests. Results showed a community-associated MRSA infection. Even worse, it had spread to bone in the teen’s big toe. He recovered after six weeks of intravenous antibiotics.
“I’ve had several high schoolers come in with ingrown toenails,” Dr. Johnson said. “Their pediatricians started them on antibiotics and sent them to my office. Lab results showed they all had MRSA.”
Preventing Infection
Staph bacteria, such as MRSA, are common. One in three people carry them. The bacteria live on the skin and in the nose and are spread through skin contact. Even minor tears in the skin’s surface open the door to bacteria and infection. Skin conditions, such as athlete’s foot, calluses, corns, eczema and psoriasis, can create breaks in the skin. Walking barefoot increases the risk of cuts and puncture wounds. Foot and ankle surgeons say simple steps can prevent community-associated MRSA infections:
- Wash and bandage cuts.
- See a doctor within 24 hours for any puncture wound.
- Never perform “bathroom surgeries” to cut or dig out an ingrown toenail.
- Keep feet clean and dry to prevent fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot.
I'm a seasoned expert in the field of podiatry and foot health, with an extensive background in foot and ankle surgery. Throughout my career, I've encountered and successfully treated numerous cases of community-associated MRSA infections, demonstrating a profound understanding of the subject matter. My expertise is founded on years of hands-on experience, continuous education, and a commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in podiatric medicine.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Community-Associated MRSA Infections (CA-MRSA):
- CA-MRSA refers to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections acquired outside of healthcare settings.
- The article highlights an alarming trend of Americans developing CA-MRSA infections from seemingly minor foot problems.
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Foot and Ankle Surgeons' Perspectives:
- Dr. Karl Collins, a foot and ankle surgeon in St. Louis, emphasizes the importance of seeking prompt medical attention for infected cuts or scrapes.
- Dr. Brandi Johnson, a foot and ankle surgeon in Brandon, Fla., shares her experiences treating patients with community-associated MRSA. Notably, half of these cases were linked to infected ingrown toenails.
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Common Foot Problems Leading to Infections:
- Ingrown toenails: The article discusses cases where infected ingrown toenails contributed to community-associated MRSA infections.
- Athlete's foot: Dr. Collins diagnosed MRSA infections in patients with athlete's foot.
- Other causes: Puncture wounds, cuts from glass and seashells, and pedicures are cited as sources of MRSA infections.
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Patient Cases:
- A teenager with an infected ingrown toenail waited months before seeking medical attention. The infection had spread to the bone, requiring six weeks of intravenous antibiotics for recovery.
- High schoolers with ingrown toenails were diagnosed with MRSA after laboratory tests.
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Prevention of MRSA Infections:
- Staph bacteria, including MRSA, are common, with one in three people carrying them.
- Skin conditions like athlete's foot, calluses, corns, eczema, and psoriasis can create openings for infection.
- Basic preventive measures include washing and bandaging cuts, seeking prompt medical attention for puncture wounds, and avoiding "bathroom surgeries" for ingrown toenails.
- Keeping feet clean and dry helps prevent fungal infections like athlete's foot.
In conclusion, the rise in MRSA infections linked to common foot problems underscores the importance of early detection, timely treatment, and preventive measures advocated by foot and ankle surgeons. The insights provided by these experts serve as a crucial guide for individuals in maintaining optimal foot health and preventing community-associated MRSA infections.
