According to MedlinePlus, there are over 30 different types of staph infections, the most common caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Staph infections cause a variety of symptoms from pneumonia, food poisoning and even blood poisoning, reports the website. Still, skin conditions are the most common reaction with the presence of large painful boils and pimples. Anyone is susceptible to a staph infection through open wounds, cuts or person-to-person contact. The best preventive measure to avoid a staph infection is good hand washing and wound care.
Antibiotics
Oral antibiotics often treat staph infections. All medications should be taken as prescribed. Patients should not stop antibiotic therapy even if symptoms of the staph infection subside. Stopping antibiotics before the infection has properly healed may cause antibiotic resistance. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is type of staph infection that no longer reacts to common antibiotic therapy. According to the MayoClinic.com, MRSA infections commonly occur in hospital or nursing home settings. People who are in constant contact with others, such as children in day care settings, are also at higher risk for developing community-associated MRSA. Still, MRSA does react to some types of non-traditional antibiotic therapy. MedlinePlus reports that clindamycin, daptomycin and doxycycline are antibiotics effective in treating MRSA.
Drainage
Medical professionals may drain a skin abscess to remove a large amount of pus and drainage trapped in the skin. A person should never attempt to drain a boil or skin infection associated with a staph infection; the infection may quickly spread to other parts of the skin or contaminate others. A small incision is made into the skin to release fluids and pus. Proper wound care including sterile dressing changes and wound cleansing are encouraged after the drainage. Some patients do not require antibiotic therapy because the drainage is so effective.
Home Treatments
Minor staph infections affecting the skin may respond to home treatments. The KidsHealth.org. website suggests soaking the skin in hot water or applying a hot compress to the area. A clean washcloth or sterile gauze should be used to create the compress; however, the washcloth should be washed and dried after each use and the gauze disposed to avoid spreading the staph infection. A heating pad or hot water bottle may also increase healing time and may be applied to the skin three to four times per day. The items should be thoroughly disinfected with rubbing alcohol or a water and bleach solution after each use. Over-the-counter ointments and sterile dressings over wounds help heal the skin and prevent the spread of infection. Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen reduce inflammation, swelling and pain associated with the staph infection.
