Head's Up Everyone

[JamR]

Just a head's up warning for everyone.

A week ago on Friday while working out on the trails, I either got a small spider bite or a small thorn puncture on my right arm (like we all get many times while riding).

We'll I did not clean it right away like I usually do, and three days later my arm swelled up to twice it's normal size from the elbow to the wrist, with a nasty lump in the center of my forearm.

By Monday I was on heavy antibiotics, and by Friday I was in the hospital having a drain-tube implanted into my arm.

It appears that there is a potentially deadly form of Staph Bacteria that has been showing up in the wilderness areas called MRSA that is extremely potent and resistant to the first level antibiotics.

My arm is almost back to normal size now except for the nasty lump which will take another couple of weeks to heal, but there will be a significant scar. I drain an amazing amount of fluid four to six times per day from the tube, and will be on antibiotics for a total of 20 days.

The Dr's informed me that had I not come in when I did; they may have elected to amputate my arm at the elbow to prevent the infection from reaching my lymph glands (which could have proved to be fatal).

It's the little things that can come up to bite you in the butt if you're not careful.

Just wanted to give everyone a head's up to not be lazy like I was, and to take care of any cuts and punctures as soon as they happen. Keep some antiseptic wipe in your camelback, and clean your wounds, cover them with a bandage, and then get back on your ride.

I don't want anyone else to have to go through this. There's a lot of nasty bacteria's out there, so just be prepared and be careful.

Stay safe and see ya on the trails.

[RidetheRAAM4]

that does not sound like fun at all

[Pain Freak]

I do keep alcohol wipes in my Camelback, but like you I tend not to use them on myself. Thanks for the heads up Adam, and I'll be more alert to this in the future.

[PHAT TIRE]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

I do keep alcohol wipes in my Camelback, but like you I tend not to use them on myself. Thanks for the heads up Adam, and I'll be more alert to this in the future.

Sorry to hear about that Jamr! That sucks! Can I just use the vodka in my camel back I'm sipping?

[LBmtb]

Ouch! Like Matt said . . . sorry to hear that and hope you have a good recovery. Thanks for the heads up. I'll make sure to always carry first aid stuff on me.

[Kid A]

holy sh!t. that nucking futs, Glad you're on road/path to recovery.

[tkblazer]

wow , its good to hear that you are recovering.. did this happen at el moro last weekend? i saw your truck at the ridge park entrance

[Johnny Dirt]

Damn, glad to hear they let you keep your arm. I got a small first aid kit in my bag. One time, 2 years ago, I didn't use it and I still have 3 cactus needles burried in my shin. Luckily no infection. Good luck Jamr.

[SAR_boats]

Glad to hear you are recovering. So, are you going to post pics?

[dstepper]

That is scary, Adam, I am glad to here that you are relatively OK.

I have two bad habits, one is bushwacking, the other is not attending to trail cuts and scrapes until I am off the trail.

Does using a alcohol wipe unsure that what happened to you won't happen, or just lessen the chances?

[Schecky]

Pretty scary. I'll have to rethink my treatment of little nicks too.
Impy treated a scrape on my knee once with hydrogen peroxide while we were riding SART. She carried it in a little bottle.
At the time I thought it was overkill, I guess it wasn't.
Heal well Adam!

[guero]

That is some pretty scary stuff Adam. Glad to hear you are doing better!

I need to keep some sort of first-aid kit in my camelbak. Usually gouge has some good stuff with him and has helped me and a few others out when we've suffered some carnage on trails.

[Wrecker]

Guys, MRSA is prevalent everywhere and Staph is a bacteria that is part of the normal flora on your skin. The infections cause by it are becoming more and more common (unfortunately) due to several things, such as overuse of antibiotics. In short, it is attacking everyone/everywhere, there was recently an article about it regarding police officers. So, you should be careful anytime you get a scrape.

The CDC recommends cleansing with soap/water or alcohol gel. FYI, some things, such as alcohol, aren't the prime cleansing products. Most wound care specialists that I have known use saline. The problem with alcohol and hydrogen peroxide is that it can cause the wound to dry, which prevents healthy healing (too dry and the cells can't proliferate as effectively, too wet and bacteria can invade better)--plus, it will only kill the bacteria on the surface, not the one that have been injected into you from the wound. The best thing to do is cleanse the wound, cover with gauze, and change the dressing any time it's wet/dirty/at least daily (antibiotic ointment will not help with this bacteria).

Anything suspiscious (reddened area becoming larger, swelling, increased warmth in the area) and you need to have a doctor check it out as this bacteria is resistant to ALL antibiotics except Vancomycin. Some strains are extremely virulent and can cause these symptoms VERY fast (one guy faced near-amputation after just 24 hours).

Don't be afraid of it, just be aware. It is everywhere already, as long as it stays in the right places, you're okay; as long as you get it checked out the momment you're suspicious, you're better.

For more info, you can check out: CDC Hurricanes | MRSA - Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Information for Patients
It was targeted towards the hurricane survivors, but is informative regarding MRSA.

Adam, hope you're doing well now!!