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I Have Staph On The Shins Of Both Legs As
Question: I have staph on the shins of both legs as diagnosed by the dermatologist - horrible sores, weeping, etc. My dermatologist only "wraps" both legs. Have to have "wraps" changed every week. No antibiotics or ointments. The wraps ITCH and make me crazy and he knows that. Is there not some aggressive antibiotics and/or ointments that can treat this condition without having to use the wraps?
Brief Answer:
Antibiotics according to the culture results are the best ones to be used
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service.
I carefully read your query and understand your concern related to daily change of the wrappings.
There are both oral and local antibiotics that can be used for staphylococcus infection.
The best antibiotics to use are those that were identified as effective by the same culture that identified the staphylococcus infection. Normally when a culture is ordered it identifies both the bacteria and the antibiotics that can be used to treat that infection.
If the results of the culture are not available than empiric treatment can be used. Oral clindamycine is a good choice and local mupirocine cream.
On the other hand staphylococcus is a common bacteria of the normal skin so it's presence not necessarily indicates infection so the doctor needs to consider this as well.
If you are having oozing ulcers very likely they are venous ulcers and the best treatment for these is compresses to reduce the oozing, so unfortunately, very likely you will need to continue to use the wrappings to help the legs heal better.
It is best for the wrappings to be changed daily to reduce the risk of infection due to oozing.
To conclude:
It is very important to continue with the wrappings and daily change them to reduce the oozing and the risk of infection.
Meanwhile you can discuss the need for antibiotics with your doctor, based on the culture results or empiric treatment with clindamycine or mupirocine as mentioned above.
I hope this answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
I wish you quick healing.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General & Family Physician
Antibiotics according to the culture results are the best ones to be used
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service.
I carefully read your query and understand your concern related to daily change of the wrappings.
There are both oral and local antibiotics that can be used for staphylococcus infection.
The best antibiotics to use are those that were identified as effective by the same culture that identified the staphylococcus infection. Normally when a culture is ordered it identifies both the bacteria and the antibiotics that can be used to treat that infection.
If the results of the culture are not available than empiric treatment can be used. Oral clindamycine is a good choice and local mupirocine cream.
On the other hand staphylococcus is a common bacteria of the normal skin so it's presence not necessarily indicates infection so the doctor needs to consider this as well.
If you are having oozing ulcers very likely they are venous ulcers and the best treatment for these is compresses to reduce the oozing, so unfortunately, very likely you will need to continue to use the wrappings to help the legs heal better.
It is best for the wrappings to be changed daily to reduce the risk of infection due to oozing.
To conclude:
It is very important to continue with the wrappings and daily change them to reduce the oozing and the risk of infection.
Meanwhile you can discuss the need for antibiotics with your doctor, based on the culture results or empiric treatment with clindamycine or mupirocine as mentioned above.
I hope this answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
I wish you quick healing.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General & Family Physician
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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