How to Get Rid of Staph Infections
What is a Staph Infection?
Staph infections are caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus. There are currently over thirty different strains of Staphylococci that affect humans, with the most common infection being caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The most common areas inflicted by staph infection are the surface of the skin, which causes redness, swelling, and pain at the infected area.
If not treated, the infection has the potential to embed deeper into the skin causing boils, folliculitis, or carbuncles to form. These abnormalties require a more aggressive treatment plan than a surface skin infection.
Other types of staph infections can occur in other parts of the body, such as the lungs, blood, and bones. These types of staph infection are considered severe and potentially life-threatening, and require a very aggressive treatment plan.
Staph Infection First Line Treatment
When treating a mild case of staph infection, using over-the-counter triple antibiotic ointment or cream is suggested, along with warm compresses. Starting treatment at the first sign of infection is recommended to prevent a serious infection from occurring.
If the skin condition continues to worsen, seeking medical advice is recommended.
What are the Most Common Antibiotics?
Antibiotic ointments are the first line of treatment for skin infections caused by a staph. In the past, Penicillin was the first antibiotic used to treat staph infections, until a resistance started to occur which paved the way for other antibiotics to include nafcillin, dicloxacillin, clindamycin, cefazoin, and bactrim. These oral antibiotics are sometimes used in combination to treat more serious staph infections.
The problem with using antibiotics, especially when not used appropriately, is that they contribute to a resistance forming to the medication. When prescribed for the treatment of a staph infection, it’s important to follow the directions from the prescribing physician.
Surgical Treatment for Staph Infections
Surgical procedures to drain or remove the infected area are used in combination with antibiotic therapy to treat severe staph infections that have manifested deeper into the skin, or in body parts.
This procedure is generally performed in a hospital and requires admittance. The patient will be administered antibiotics through an intravenous (IV) line to help combat the infection.
Staph Infection Prevention
Using good hygiene techniques is recommended as a preventative in contracting a staph infection. The staph virus is located everywhere, with approximately 20 to 30 percent of the population being carriers without knowledge. However, washing hands constantly, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and not touching the infected areas is important in preventing the spread of the infection.
If diagnosed with a staph infection, it is important to keep the infected area covered, and refrain from sharing any personal items with others to aid in preventing the spread of infection.
References
Teens Health: Staph Infections https://kidshealth.org/teen/infections/bacterial_viral/staph.html#
MedicineNet: Staph Infection (Staphylococcus aureus) https://www.medicinenet.com/staph_infection/article.htm
eMedicineHealth: Staphylococcus (Staph Infection) https://www.emedicinehealth.com/staphylococcus/article_em.htm
