Staph Superbug Infections Prevented by Over the Counter Product, First Aid

With methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MSRA) estimated to be responsible for more deaths than AIDS in 2005, new research suggests that an over the counter product could help defend against contracting the bacteria. Products that have benzethonium chloride, even in over the counter strength have been proven to be the most effective against MRSA.

Researchers tested three over the counter products including those made with polymyxin and gramicidin, neomycin and polymyxin, and those with benzethonium chloride. While the first two have been sold as triple antibiotic for years, benzethonium chloride is the newest, and best treatment for protecting against the staph superbug according to the study.

"Comparing these three product groups, the study showed that the benzethonium chloride product killed the community-associated MRSA bacteria more rapidly, and worked well against all four of the strains we tested," said David Bearden, a clinical associate professor in the College of Pharmacy at Oregon State University.

However, using ointment shouldn't be your only step in staph prevention according to researchers, basic first aid should still apply in all cases. And even if an ointment does not kill all of the bacteria, reducing the amount of bacteria also reduces the chance that someone can contract staph.

"A good cleaning with soap and warm water is still the first and best line of defense against infection in the cuts, scrapes and minor wounds that everyone gets," Bearden said. "But there's also a place for antibacterial treatments, usually creams or ointments. With the significant increase in community-associated MRSA infections in recent years, we wanted to find out which products might work the best for this concern."

MRSA, or the staph superbug as it is commonly called, has been in the news lately for attacking healthier people and showing up in public places. Many people contract the staph superbug from minor cuts and skin infections, emphasizing the need for good and immediate first aid.

"MRSA infections can be very aggressive and pathogenic, and many people have died from them," Bearden said. "We've had problems with MRSA in hospitals for decades, but it wasn't until 2000 that some strains started to appear more frequently in public settings. Because of that, you just can't afford any more to take a minor injury or skin infection too lightly. You should treat the wound, try to prevent infection, and anything that is overly red, painful, swollen or has pus associated with it should be seen by a physician." Source:

Oregon State University, "Best treatment identified to reduce deadly Staph infections", Eurekalert