According to doctors at the University of California, Los Angeles, a deadly bug known as MRSA is the known to cause 59 percent of the skin and soft tissue infections seen in 11 emergency rooms across the U.S..
MRSA - Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus - is a bacterium resistant to some antibiotics. It is found most commonly in people with weakened immune systems, usually patients in nursing homes and hospitals and is a result of poor hygiene.
The new study is published in this week's New England Journal of Medicine reveals that the MRSA strain is common in the general population.
Research team leader Gregory Moran said in a written statement, "It appears now that everyone is at risk."
Moran added, "So if you think you have a spider bite or other type of skin lesion that is not healing, you want to see your doctor to make sure it's not an infection like MRSA."
The spread of infection can be avoided by using soap and water to wash one's hands regularly. However, people should not share personal items like towels or razors.
Most pimples, however, are due to acne, which affects 17 million in the U.S. They can be treated by draining the skin's pores and by keeping the skin clean. However, more severe infections may require antibiotics as well as hospitalization.
