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Diagnoses With Photodermatitis On Lip. Should I Be Worried About MRSA?

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Posted on Thu, 6 Dec 2012
Question: My son has been diagnoses with photodermatitis on his lip. He is now on his 2nd round of steroid pills. The first time the ER doc gave him IV antihistamines as well. Last night a "boil-like pimple" at the bottom of his lower lip erupted and a lot of puss and infection came out. My question is: Could his infection actually be MRSA? I myself contracted MRSA about 3 weeks ago from my 97-year-old mother-in-law who was hospitalized and then returned to her nursing home under hospice -- and ultimately died. Anyway, I was not aware that this sun poisoning would have a lesion; I thought it was just a swollen lip.
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Answered by Dr. Kruti (2 hours later)
Hello,

Thanks for posting your query. I am glad to assist and answer your queries until you get a satisfactory response.

Photo dermatitis doesn't present with any boils or infection. It just could be just a boil without any association with photo dermatitis.

I understand your concern regarding MRSA now, but don't worry; it is usually a diagnosis of exclusion where the boil doesn't respond to any antibiotic treatment. If symptoms do not resolve with antibiotics, he discharging pus can be cultured to rule out MRSA.

Currently I would recommend treating the boil with Bactroban cream, which can be applied twice a day for a week. In addition, I also suggest you to consult his treating doctor; he/she needs to assess the swelling to check if there are any more pus collection -- that are needed to be drained. Your son can also take tablet allegra for the swollen lips after discussing with his treating doctor.

As far as photodermatitis is concerned, application of cortisone lotion on it twice a day on any photodermatitis lesion will help in resolving it.

Hope my recommendations are helpful to you. Please let me know if I can address any other concerns for you.

Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Kruti

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 345 Questions

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Diagnoses With Photodermatitis On Lip. Should I Be Worried About MRSA?

Hello,

Thanks for posting your query. I am glad to assist and answer your queries until you get a satisfactory response.

Photo dermatitis doesn't present with any boils or infection. It just could be just a boil without any association with photo dermatitis.

I understand your concern regarding MRSA now, but don't worry; it is usually a diagnosis of exclusion where the boil doesn't respond to any antibiotic treatment. If symptoms do not resolve with antibiotics, he discharging pus can be cultured to rule out MRSA.

Currently I would recommend treating the boil with Bactroban cream, which can be applied twice a day for a week. In addition, I also suggest you to consult his treating doctor; he/she needs to assess the swelling to check if there are any more pus collection -- that are needed to be drained. Your son can also take tablet allegra for the swollen lips after discussing with his treating doctor.

As far as photodermatitis is concerned, application of cortisone lotion on it twice a day on any photodermatitis lesion will help in resolving it.

Hope my recommendations are helpful to you. Please let me know if I can address any other concerns for you.

Regards