MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staph aureus) is a common cause of skin infections like boils and abscesses. It spreads easily with close contact but simple steps cut the risk.
How it spreads
- Skin-to-skin contact, shared towels/razors, or touching surfaces with the bacteria.
- Cuts, turf burns, and shaving nicks are easy entry points.
Everyday prevention (home)
- Wash hands or use alcohol sanitizer after touching wounds or bandages.
- Keep cuts clean and covered until healed.
- Don’t share towels, razors, nail clippers, or bar soap.
- Launder clothes, towels, and bedding regularly; use hot water and dry on high heat if possible.
- Disinfect high-touch surfaces (bathroom, gym equipment, doorknobs).
Sports team basics
- Shower right after practice/competition; use your own soap, towel, and flip-flops.
- Cover scrapes/turf burns before play; change bandages daily.
- Clean and disinfect shared equipment and mats daily; allow time to dry.
- Don’t share protective gear or water bottles.
- Report and bench athletes with draining skin infections until cleared.
For people with recurrent boils
- Ask your clinician about a short “decolonization” protocol:
- Mupirocin ointment inside each nostril twice daily for 5 days.
- Daily chlorhexidine wash or dilute bleach baths for 5 days (follow instructions).
- Launder personal items during this period.
- Check household members for similar infections; everyone may need to join the protocol to prevent ping-pong spread.
When to seek care
- Painful, enlarging, or draining lumps; fever; spreading redness; or red lines moving up a limb.
- Abscesses on the face, near the eye, groin, or buttock crease.
- If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or a weakened immune system—get early care.
Treatment reminders
- Incision and drainage is often the key treatment; antibiotics are added in some cases.
- Take any prescribed antibiotics exactly as directed and finish the course.
- Replace razors and clean personal grooming tools after an infection.
Quick team checklist
- Clean mats/equipment daily.
- Personal towels only; no sharing gear.
- Wounds covered; active infections benched.
- Hand sanitizer stations by the field/gym door.