Division of Public Health Services  Disease Handbook for Childcare Providers 
Bureau of Infectious Disease Control   REVISED –January 2018 
 
MRSA SKIN INFECTIONS 
 
A frequent cause of skin infections is a bacteria 
called Staphylococcus aureus (Staph).  Most of 
these skin infections are minor.  However, staph 
bacteria can also cause more serious infections 
such as pneumonia and bloodstream infe ctions.  
Some staph bacteria are resistant to certain 
antibiotics and are known as MRSA (methicillin -
resistant Staphylococcus aureus). 
 
What is a MRSA skin infection? 
A MRSA skin infection can be a pimple, rash, 
boil, or an open wound.  MRSA is often 
misdiagnosed as spider bites.  MRSA bacteria are 
commonly found on the skin of healthy persons.  
MRSA infections often begin with an injury to the 
skin.  Symptoms of MRSA infection include 
redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness of the skin, 
and boils or blisters.  Sometimes it does not cause 
any problems; sometimes it causes minor 
infections, such as pimples or boils.  If left 
untreated, it can cause serious infections. 
 
How do MRSA skin infections spread? 
MRSA lives on skin and survives on objects for 
24 hours or more.  MRSA can rub off on the skin 
of an infected person onto the skin of another 
person during rigorous skin- to-skin contact.  Or, 
the MRSA bacteria can come off of the infected 
skin of a person onto a shared object, and get onto 
the skin of the next person who uses it.  Examples 
of commonly shared objects include towels, soap, 
razors and athletic equipment. 
 
How can I prevent myself or my family 
members from getting infected? 
Wash your hands with soap and warm water.  
Keep cuts and scrapes clean with s oap and water.  
Avoid skin contact and sharing personal items 
with anyone you suspect could have a MRSA skin 
infection.  When using protective gloves to treat  
the infected area, remove and dispose of them 
properly; wash your hands with soap and water.  
Do not share personal items with other persons. 
 
What should I do if I think I have a skin 
infection?
 
Consult your healthcare provider as soon as 
possible if you think you have a skin infection.  
Early treatment can help you prevent the infection 
from getting worse.  Be sure to follow directions 
from your doctor or healthcare provider closely, 
even when you start to feel better.  Not taking all 
of your antibiotics leads to stronger, antibiotic -
resistant bacteria. 
 
If my healthcare provider told me that I 
have a MRSA skin infection, how do I 
keep others from getting infected? 
• Keep the infected area covered with clean, 
dry bandages.  Pus from infected wounds 
is very infectious. 
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and 
warm water, especially after changing 
your b andages or touching the infected 
skin. 
• Regularly clean your bathroom, kitchen, 
and all other rooms, as well as your 
personal items.  Wash clothes and other 
items that become soiled with hot water or 
bleach, when possible. 
• Drying clothes in a hot dryer, rat her than 
air-drying them also helps to kill bacteria 
in clothes. 
• Tell any healthcare provider that treats you 
during the infection that you have an 
MRSA skin infection. 
 
Reportable? 
No.  MRSA is not reportable by New Hampshire 
law to the Division of Public  Health Services, 
Bureau of Infectious Disease Control .  However, 
Public Health Professionals are available for 
consultation at 603-271-4496.   


MRSA SKIN INFECTION (cont.) 
Division of Public Health Services  Disease Handbook for Childcare Providers 
Bureau of Infectious Disease Control   REVISED –January 2018 
For further information, refer to the Centers for 
Disease Control & Prevention website at 
www.cdc.gov
  or the NH Department of Health & 
Human Services website at www.dhhs.nh.gov .