At a glance
- MRSA skin infections often appear as a bump or infected area on the skin.
- Get medical care quickly to make sure the infection will not become serious.
- Warning: This page contains graphic medical images.
Overview
MRSA skin infections often appear as a bump or infected area on the skin that might be:
- Red
- Swollen
- Painful
- Full of pus or other drainage
You cannot tell by looking if it is a Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA infection. Get medical care quickly to make sure the infection will not become serious.
If you have a bump or infection on your skin with the above symptoms:
- See a doctor.
- Do not pick at or pop the sore.
- Cover the area with clean, dry bandages.
- Clean your hands often.
- Do not pick at or pop the sore.
- Cover the area with clean, dry bandages.
- Clean your hands often.
Many people first think they have a spider bite. These infections commonly happen where skin has been cut or wounded, and on areas covered by hair (e.g., back of neck, groin, buttocks, armpit, beard area).
Images of MRSA
Photograph depicting a cutaneous abscess located on the back, which had been caused by methicillin-r...
Photograph depicting a cutaneous abscess on the arm, which had been caused by methicillin-resistant...
Photograph depicting a cutaneous abscess, which had been caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococ...
Photo depicting a cutaneous abscess located on the hip, which had begun to spontaneously drain, rele...
Photograph depicting a cutaneous abscess on the shoulder, which had been caused by methicillin-resis...