In past, I had used this ointment for specified purposes, and also, for hot-spots on my Chinese Sharpeis. Chinese Sharpeis are prone to skin disorders that cause major irritation to skin. After trying several veteranarian medications, cortizone sprays and other topical solutions, I wanted to try something that wasn't harsh on my animals' hide and that would work proficiently without common side effects of most steroidal antidotes. After seeing what Dr. Sheffield's Diaper rash ointment could do for a infant's bottom, I figured it was worth a shot. To my amazement, skin irritations on my animals began to dissipate with use of this ointment.

Now, beside being an antidotal ointment for common skin irritations on animals and humans alike, I inadvertantly discovered two new reasons to use Dr. Sheffield's Diaper Rash Ointment.

Because I am fair complected (I have blond hair and blue eyes.), I have been prone to two, major skin disorders. One being that I burn easily and second -- I am susceptible to acne breakouts due to my combination skin. Through years, I had used every marketable, over-the-counter and prescription creams and ointments for both problems. From Aloe to hormone pills -- all to no avail.

Living in deep South can take its toll on one's physical appearance due to long, hot summers with high UV counts. It was one summer, in particular, that I suffered a horrendous sunburn. The sunburn was so bad that pain was unbearable. Other than taking ibuprofen for pain, I didn't know what to do about ruddy chaffing and near-blistering skin. Aloe helped, but it still didn't quite relieve aching, burning skin. Searching my bathroom cabinets, I came across Dr. Sheffield's Diaper Rash Ointment. On a hunch, I retrieved compound and applied some to my skin. For first time in years, I could literally feel "..Ahhh..." in sunburn relief. Naturally, from that day on, I began using this ointment for sunburns -- not only for myself, but for other members of my family as well.

For more detailed information about MRSA, please read: MRSA: Silent Killer - Are You at Risk?

How can you make a difference?

If you are a healthcare giver, reading this article may help you spare a patient's life. First and foremost, MRSA is one of most preventable infections; and it begins with you. While you were growing up, certainly you'd heard your mother say, "Don't forget to wash your hands before dinner." Your mother was, and still is absolutely correct. But her common advice applies even more so in medical community. Per CDC, "...The main mode of transmission of MRSA is via hands (especially health care workers' hands) which may become contaminated by contact with a) colonized or infected patients, b) colonized or infected body sites of personnel themselves, or c) devices, items, or environmental surfaces contaminated with body fluids containing MRSA."

According to Center for Disease Control (CDC), there is a "Guideline for Isolation Precautions in Hospitals" (Infect Control Hosp. Epidemiol 1996;17:53-80). This guideline is purportedly widely used and "...should control spread of MRSA in most instances." However, if this guideline is adhered to, why have too many patient's lost their lives due to MRSA? Simply put, it is a guideline; but not enough individuals are paying enough attention.

The following Standard Precautions (as published on CDC) list these guidelines that should be strictly followed:

1. Handwashing Wash hands after touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, and contaminated items, whether or not gloves are worn. Wash hands immediately after gloves are removed, between patient contacts, and when otherwise indicated to avoid transfer of microorganisms to other patients or environments. It may be necessary to wash hands between tasks and procedures on same patient to prevent cross-contamination of different body sites.
2. Gloving Wear gloves (clean nonsterile gloves are adequate) when touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, and contaminated items; put on clean gloves just before touching mucous membranes and nonintact skin. Remove gloves promptly after use, before touching noncontaminated items and environmental surfaces, and before going to another patient, and wash hands immediately to avoid transfer of microorganisms to other patients or environments.
3. Masking Wear a mask and eye protection or a face shield to protect mucous membranes of eyes, nose, and mouth during procedures and patient-care activities that are likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions.
4. Gowning Wear a gown (a clean nonsterile gown is adequate) to protect skin and prevent soiling of clothes during procedures and patient-care activities that are likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions or cause soiling of clothing.
5. Appropriate device handling Handle used patient-care equipment soiled with blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions in a manner that prevents skin and mucous membrane exposures, contamination of clothing, and transfer of microorganisms to other patients and environments. Ensure that reusable equipment is not used for care of another patient until it has been appropriately cleaned and reprocessed and that single-use items are properly discarded.
6. Appropriate handling of laundry Handle, transport, and process used linen soiled with blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions in a manner that prevents skin and mucous membrane exposures, contamination of clothing, and transfer of microorganisms to other patients and environments.

If MRSA is judged by hospital's infection control program to be of special clinical or epidemiologic significance, then Contact Precautions should be considered.