Staph can be deadly

Q: My doctor says I have a "staph'' infection and prescribed Bactroban cream (mupirocen). I'd like more information about staph. If you print this, please tell everyone that I'm a very clean person.

-- J.D., Birmingham

A: Staph is commonly used to talk about Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that actually lives on you. It's normal to find it on the skin (or other places) of healthy people, even those who stay very clean. Any open wound or scratch on your skin could be an entry point for this deadly germ, so it's important to practice good hygiene, especially if you're a healthcare worker. Kids who play sports should exercise more caution because they come in contact with each other and often share equipment. Taking showers after physical activity will help, as will keeping your hands clean.

Staph infections are not uncommon, but staph bacteria can mutate into a virulent form called MRSA (pronounced mersa). A MRSA infection is dangerous, because it can't be easily cured with common antibiotics like penicillin, amoxicillin or methicillin.

This season at my pharmacy, an alarmingly higher number of people have presented with staph infections. These look like either a pimple, a boil or ingrown hair; there's usually redness, sometimes pus or swelling. The wound doesn't always hurt. Staph infections are usually limited to the skin. The serious staph infections, including MRSA, can spark complications such as pneumonia, infections of the blood and toxic shock syndrome, and even lead to death.

I'm not trying to frighten you, but my experience has shown me that many people who develop a staph infection will "wait and see what happens,'' and this is dangerous. You should always see your doctor or dermatologist for adequate care. But there's good news because Tec labs has just put out a new product called StaphAseptic and it seems to head off MRSA infections. It's better than Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic Ointment, according to studies. One lab study showed that StaphAseptic killed more than 99 percent of MRSA. It's available over-the-counter, which gives you no excuse to ignore your wound. Learn more at staphaseptic.com.

Q: My doctors switched my birth control pill from Ortho Cept to Yaz. My doctor said it will help with my emotions, too. Is that true?

-- E.D., New York

A: Yes, Bayer, the makers of Yaz, claim that this new oral contraceptive can not only prevent pregnancy, but also ease the tearfulness and anxiety sometimes associated with severe PMS. The drug is unique because it comes in packets of 24 active pills (not 21, like most pill packs), so after you take those 24 tablets, you go off for 4 days and that's it. Your period is short and light. Yaz is also FDA-approved to treat acne.

This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist. Her column is published Tuesdays in the TimesDaily.-To contact her, visit dearpharmacist.com.