Simple Steps to Avoid Skin Infections from the Ocean
Berney Coleman | Published on 10/14/2022
Simple Steps to avoid Skin Infections from the Ocean
On October 12, 2022, Kihei Canoe Club member and active paddler Dr. Linda Tetor from the Kihei-Wailea Medical Center gave members good advice on ho tow minimize the chances of getting a skin infection from exposure to ocean water. Her talk was recorded and is available for viewing here. Her handout is below.
Two items to keep in your medicine cabinet
- Hibiclens Antiseptic Skin Cleaner
- Mupirocin Ointment (Contact your doctor for prescription)
If you've been in the ocean, shower afterwards.
If injury occurs, wash with Hibiclens, apply Mupirocin and cover wound
If wound becomes red and inflamed
- Soak wound in a solution of 1 ounce of Hibiclens per 1 gallon of warm water
If your wound is getting worse, see your doctor for infection. DO NOT WAIT!
Two things to do to reduce your chance of getting recurrent staph infections
- Wash your body with Hibiclens twice a week
- Apply Mupirocin to your nostril with a Q-Tip twice a day for 7 days to reduce your colonization