Why Diabetics are More Vulnerable to MRSA Antibiotic-Resistant Infections

Some health conditions are simple and straightforward, but this is definitely not the case with diabetes, which affects more than 40 millions Americans. From the moment you receive your diagnosis, diabetes can forever change the course of your health and leave you far more vulnerable to potentially serious complications.

To give you an idea, double board-certified wound specialist Dr. Thomas Rambacher and the team at Foot Ankle Leg Wound Care Orange County want to touch on the connection between diabetes and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is a common bacteria that’s resistant to several antibiotics.

This is of particular concern given that about a third of people with diabetes develop foot, ankle, or leg wounds, which leaves them open to skin and bone infections. These infections, in turn, can be further exacerbated by the presence of MRSA, which can make healing problematic. Let’s take a look at how this cascade can occur.

MRSA basics

Let’s first take a closer look at the different components of a potentially problematic diabetic foot ulcer, starting with MRSA. 

MRSA is a very common bacteria and it’s found in 1 in 3 people, usually on their skin or in their noses. Like all bacteria, MRSA are opportunists and they’re looking for environments in which to feed and multiply.

Unlike other bacteria, MRSA are resistant to certain antibiotics, making an MRSA infection more challenging to treat.

How diabetes sets the stage for bacterial infections

When diabetes isn’t well managed, it paves the way to bacterial infections thanks to:

• High blood glucose levels that activate bacteria and encourage them to multiply
• A weakened immune system (white cells aren’t able to fight infection efficiently)
• Poor circulation due to diabetes, which healing resources
• Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage)

Each of these side effects of diabetes contributes to an environment in which bacteria like MRSA can take hold and flourish.

Diabetic foot ulcers and MRSA

Now let’s come full circle and explain how MRSA can complicate an already serious complication: a diabetic foot ulcer. 

No matter the type of bacteria, foot, ankle, and lower leg wounds caused by diabetes are challenging to heal. When MRSA is involved — and these bacteria are found in about 20% of diabetic foot ulcers — the challenge is bigger because of the antibiotic resistance.

To offset this challenge, it’s important that you see us at the first signs of trouble because the antibiotic resistance increases as the infection gets stronger. So, if we can get in early and treat the wound with the correct antibiotics, they have a stronger impact.

We can also take steps to quickly clean out the infection through debridement, which can help remove and contain the harmful bacteria.

So, any time you have a wound on your foot, no matter how small, we urge you to come see us so that we can prevent a cascade of complications revolving around diabetic foot wounds and MRSA infections.

For expert care of your diabetic foot ulcers, we invite you to call our office in Mission Viejo, California, at 949-832-6018 or request an appointment online today.