According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local staph infections are caused by Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium normally carried on the skin or in the nose by healthy people. Most infections caused by staph bacteria are minor and result in small pimples or boils. However, the bacterium is prone to spreading and is highly resistance to penicillin. Because of this, any local staph infection requires prompt treatment to prevent the infection from spreading or entering the bloodstream.
Instructions
1. Keep the affected area clean. Antibacterial cleansers work, but are not recommended by some experts due their role in the increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Using soap and hot water works just as well as an antibacterial cleanser without the hefty price tag or potential risks.
2. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the infected area and cover it with a clean bandage. Over-the-counter antibiotics are typically just as effective as prescription products, but opt for a triple-antibiotic whenever possible.
3. Use a warm, moist towel to soothe irritation and help treat the staph infection. Apply the towel to the affected area several times each day for 20 to 30 minutes.
4. Never attempt to drain a boil or abscess at home. If your staph infection requires draining, it should be done by a medical professional to avoid spreading the infection or forcing the bacteria into your bloodstream.
5. Wash any towels or other items used to dry your infected area in very hot water after each use. Disposable towels are an easy alternative, provided they are used only once. Using a contaminated towel may spread the infection to other areas of your body or to other people.
6. Take any antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, several antibiotics are available to treat a local staph infection. However, the Mayo Clinic warns that only ten percent of staph infections respond to standard penicillin. For this reason, other antibiotics, such as vancomycin, are now being used as first-line treatments for staph infections.
7. Watch closely for any signs that the local staph infection is spreading, and consult your doctor right away if your symptoms become worse or the infection fails to respond to antibiotics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, staph bacteria have become increasingly resistant to antibiotics over the last five decades. These resistant staph bacteria, called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), can spread to the blood stream, cause serious systemic illness and result in disability or death.
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