Here is a CA-MRSA decolonization process to help remove MRSA from your skin and prevent recurrences of the infection. These steps should be taken after the MRSA infection has cleared.

• Wash your hair and body as usual with your normal shampoo and soap.
• Rinse your hair and body thoroughly to remove all shampoo and soap residues, then turn off water.
• Apply chlorhexidine soap (like Hibiclens Antiseptic Soap) to your entire body FROM THE NECK DOWN (to avoid ears and eyes) for five (5) minutes.
• Rinse with water only (no soap), then pat dry with a clean towel.
• Repeat daily for seven (7) days.

	Hibiclens Antiseptic, Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser, Liquid - 16 fl oz

	Hand Pump for 16 oz Hibiclens Bottle

No treatment is needed for colonization. Most people do not know they are colonized because the bacteria are present but not causing any symptoms. Everyone should practice good hand hygiene and proper wound care to help ensure that bacteria do not enter the body through breaks in the skin and potentially cause infections.

Most minor skin infections (such as pimples and boils) can be treated with appropriate wound care at home through proper cleaning of wounds and covering them with bandages. Additional actions are needed for wounds that are not healing properly or that are draining (e.g., see a physician for possible drainage of pus with warm compresses or incision and sometimes, antibiotics). However, more serious infections (such as surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections, pneumonia) need to be treated aggressively. This may require hospitalization and/or the use of intravenous (IV) antibiotics. Laboratory testing of the organism is often necessary to make sure the right antibiotic is being used.

Some MRSA skin infections, such as boils or abscesses, may be treated by incision and drainage, depending on severity. Antibiotic treatment, if indicated, should be guided by the susceptibility profile of the organism.

Oral antibiotics that may be effective against MRSA:

• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (avoid in pregnancy)
• Clindamycin (look at D-test for resistance)
• Doxycycline (avoid in pregnancy)

Treatment with intravenous antibiotics, such as vancomyin, should be considered for more serious MRSA infections.