Ask Dr. Mitch

Dear Dr. Mitch,
Thanks so much for your articles, particularly the one on “pussy care” I learned a great deal. I’m a Feature Stripper on the road, and I clean my g-strings out each time they are used, I also dry clean my costumes when I get off the road, and I have found that I still have these “pimples” that won’t go away on my lower butt cheeks, and the very top of the back of my legs. They are getting very dark, almost purple, like a spider bite. I am a very clean person, but they are not shaving bumps, or herpes, Dr. Mitch, what the hell are they? They haven’t gone away for over 5 weeks now, and I’m beginning to be self conscious, rather than self confident. Can you help me?
Signed, Bumpy Stripper


Dear Bumpy,
I’m so glad you wrote this letter! At AIM and SxCheck we see so many cases of this. It is called MRSA Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and it is an antibiotic resistant strain of staff infection. Your reaction is very typical; many people think this is just folliculitis (pimples) or even a spider bite.
How did you get this? Simple floor work! When you are rolling around on the wooden stage, even if you use your own little throw, you are exposed to the floor of the stage. Although present on the skin of only 5–20% of healthy people, as many as 40% carry it elsewhere, such as in the throat, vagina, or rectum, for varying periods of time, from hours to years, without developing symptoms or becoming ill. As you know many types of bacteria live on the ground, and floors of night clubs and we track it inside with our shoes, etc. So, long as you are having your skin touch the floor, you are at risk for MRSA. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW, DON’T PICK AT IT! In fact, MRSA can live in a hot tub over 74 degrees! You can also get it from sheets or towels, so make sure to check the hotel linens before you bed down for the night. If you have had a hospital visit or surgery in the last few weeks, it could have come from there as well.
MRSA colonizes in the nose, so the best way to test for it is to take a sample of one of the sores, or swab the nostrils.
Treatment is to take strong antibiotics for quite a long course of treatment (maybe up to 8 weeks) as well as a very strong ointment by prescription to put directly onto the sores.
I would suggest taking a few weeks off, getting treatment, then resume your career by being extra careful when dancing, sitting on strange laps, or seats with a mini skirt and your upper thighs are not covered to protect you from bacteria. I would avoid taking baths, shower instead for awhile. Also, put hot compresses on the area two to three times a day, this will help you with the discomfort. Best of health to you my Dear.
Stay Healthy and Sexy, Dr. Mitch