If your child has recurrent staph infections, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic cream (e.g. Bactroban). This should be applied under your child's fingernails and around their nostrils to help get rid of the staph bacteria, and reduce the chance of your child being reinfected.
Mupirocin is a topical medication used to treat small areas of bacterial skin infections, such as impetigo or a "Staph" infection of the skin. It comes as a cream or ointment that's applied onto your skin.
Most cases of staph infection on the skin can be treated with a topical antibiotic (applied to your skin).
Keep the infected area covered with clean, dry bandages. Cover any infected sores with a bandage and clean your hands right away after putting on the bandage. Wear clothes that cover your bandages and sores, if possible. Throw used dressings away promptly.
Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sheets, razors, clothing and athletic equipment. Staph infections can spread on objects, as well as from person to person. Wash clothing and bedding. Staph bacteria can spread on clothing, towels and bedding.
DEALING WITH STAPH OR MRSA SKIN INFECTIONS:
Always use an unscented moisturizer on your body to prevent dry skin. During these times you can use cleanser around the wound areas if your body's skin becomes too dry or irritated.
Each case of staph infection is different, but most often staph will resolve in 1-3 weeks. Once you complete your antibiotic treatment, you'll no longer be contagious, but you should keep any skin infection clean and covered until it is completely gone.
Bactroban is an antibiotic that prevents bacteria from growing on your skin. Bactroban topical (for use on the skin) is used to treat skin infections such as impetigo or a "Staph" infection of the skin. Bactroban may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Invasive staph infections, such as sepsis (also called septicemia), endocarditis, and pneumonia, typically cause significant illness that may include fever, fast breathing or shortness of breath, fatigue, and sometimes confusion or disorientation.
Staph skin infections, including MRSA , generally start as swollen, painful red bumps that might look like pimples or spider bites. The affected area might be: Warm to the touch. Full of pus or other drainage.
Polysporin (bacitracin/polymyxin B), Neosporin (bacitracin/neomycin/polymyxin B), and bacitracin are all over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic ointments that you can use to help treat or prevent infection for minor cuts or scrapes. The main difference between these ointments is that they have different ingredients.
The pus must drain for the infection to heal. You may use warm compresses to “ripen” the abscess, but DO NOT try to pop or puncture the abscess yourself. If your abscess is not draining on its own, your doctor may help the pus to drain through a small incision.
Shower using Hibiclens 2 times a week. Lather Hibiclens on all areas of skin, including scalp. (Being careful to avoid eye area) Leave lather on for 5-10 minutes and rinse. Wash all towels, sheets, clothing etc… of the infected person separately after they have contact with those items.
Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered with clean, dry bandages. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions on proper care of the wound. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph and MRSA, so keeping the infection covered will help prevent the spread to others.
The bacteria that cause staph infections live harmlessly on many people's skin, often in the nose and armpits and on the buttocks. They usually only cause an infection if they get into the skin – for example, through a bite or cut. Staph bacteria can spread to others through: close skin contact.
Staph bacteria are killed by cooking, but the toxins are not destroyed and will still be able to cause illness. Foods that are not cooked after handling, such as sliced meats, puddings, pastries, and sandwiches, are especially risky if contaminated with Staph.
Warm, humid environments can contribute to staph infections, so excessive sweating can increase someone's chances of developing an infection. People with skin problems like burns or eczema may be more likely to get staph skin infections.
Some laboratory studies have suggested that tea tree oil may be effective against MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a type of staph infection that's resistant to many antibiotics.
Antibacterial properties
One test tube study found that apple cider vinegar was effective at killing Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, which is the bacteria responsible for staph infections.
Alternative Remedies Some people apply substances with reported antimicrobial properties, such as tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, eucalyptus essential oil, oregano essential oil, and others to skin infections to help them heal.
When common antibiotics don't kill the staph bacteria, it means the bacteria have become resistant to those antibiotics. This type of staph is called MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus). MRSA was first identified in the 1960's and was mainly found in hospitals and nursing homes.