Staph infection or Staphylococcus infection is a type of bacterial infection caused by strains of bacteria under the genus Staphylococcus. The most common strain causing staph infection is Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus for short) which is spherical in shape and found in the environment and living organisms. The human body can contain thousands or even millions of this bacterium; in fact 20% of the general population are carriers of S. aureus.
Staph bacteria do not cause any problem, unless they invade the body and cause infection. They enter the body through tiny openings in the skin (usually wounds), through the mouth, nose, ear, and the eyes.
S. aureus can cause skin infections which include pimples, impetigo, cellulitis folliculitis, furuncles (boils), carbuncles, scalded skin syndrome and abscesses. It can also cause life-threatening infections which include pneumonia, endocarditis, meningitis, sepsis, and toxic shock syndrome.
Most people are familiar with skin infections caused by S. aureus since they are the most common. This article provides necessary information needed on how to get rid of staph infection in the skin.
How to tell if it is staph infection? Symptoms of staph infection.
Another indication of staph infection is the contagious impetigo – painful rushes and blisters that may ooze fluid. Impetigo is most common in infants and young children and usually occur around the nose and mouth. Below is a picture of impetigo in the face.
The best person who can identify staph infection in the skin is a medical doctor. He is also the right person who can tell the treatments.
How To Get Rid of Staph Infections
Washing the infected area of the skin
-Maintaining the cleanliness of the infected area is a very important step in treating staph infection. The infected area should be washed by soap and alcohol several times a day. After washing the area, it should be covered by a loose piece of cotton gauge to prevent its exposure to the environment.
-A warm compress soaked to vinegar or rubbing alcohol can help to get rid of minor staph infection in the skin. Vinegar and alcohol have antimicrobial activities so they can kill S. aureus.
-Antibiotics are drugs prescribed to treat staph infection. The use of antibiotics is the most common cure for staph infection. People with minor staph infection in the skin can use topical antibiotics like Neosporin but those with serious infection must use stronger antibiotics.
The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a big problem in treating staph infections. MRSAs are no longer affected by methicillin (an antibiotic) so physicians are forced to use stronger but potentially toxic antibiotics like glycopeptide antibiotics.
Glycopeptide antibiotics (e. g. vancomycin and teicoplanin ) are now used to treat MRSAs but their use in hospitals are governed by regulations to prevent the development of resistant bacterial strains.
Frequent use and overuse of antibiotics contribute to the evolution of bacteria to become antibiotic-resistant.
Consult your doctor to know the best ways to get rid of your staph infection.[ad#afterpost]