What Does Staph Infection Look Like And Other Frequent Questions
Staph infection can be a real bummer, especially when you don't know you have it. Some people have nearly lost a limb or even their lives just because they mistook a boil for a pimple or a staph infection rash for an allergic reaction. We can't really blame these people since staph infections do have a sneaky way of looking like harmless skin irritations. What does staph infection look like anyway?
The Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria are the culprits behind these infections. Generally, bacteria make a home out of anyone's skin or “colonize” it – even the fatal Methicillin-resistant Staph Bacteria (MRSA) strain. Infections only happen when our skin gets punctured or broken and the staph bacteria enter the wound, causing symptoms of staph skin infection to show up.
A staph infection often looks like an insect or spider bite – even doctors are sometimes fooled. It comes out of the skin as a huge, inflamed, red bump. On the bump is a distinct white-head, which if nicked, will ooze out a yellow, pungent liquid known as pus.
How will I know I'm infected?
Aside from the visible symptoms of staph skin infection, one may also feel pain and a little feverish. But before immediately declaring that red and itchy patch of skin as a staph infection rash, have your doctor do a bacteria culture to know if you're definitely infected. After which the proper medications will be given to treat the symptoms.
How does staph infection spread?
There are several ways for staph bacteria to infect anyone's skin, even those of healthy people. For one, it is airborne. Staph bacteria are present on contaminated surfaces, and can stick onto your skin upon contact. These bacteria either “colonize” the skin or, if risk factors are present, immediately infect it. That is why, people can also be carriers. Although healthy, they carry with them colonies of these bacteria which can transfer to another person who either has an open wound or weak immune system.
How serious are these infections?
Staph infections are rarely serious. Most of them can be cured with the faithful use of topical treatments and antibiotics, if not left to heal by themselves. However, the more aggressive strain of Staphyloccus Aureus bacteria – the Methicillin-resistant S.Aureus (MRSA) – can be very fatal if not treated with the right antibiotics immediately. They can get into the system and damage the lungs, kidneys, liver and heart.
What does staph infection look like as an MRSA? Infections from this strain are not that different from usual staph infections, the only difference is the treatment used since MRSA can not be treated with just any medication.
What am I supposed to do when infected?
When you know for sure that you're infected, constant treatment must be applied. Most infections respond to a hot compress, applied at least 3 to 4 times a day for 20 minutes. Topical creams and antibiotics can also help clear them up.
While waiting for infections to heal, avoid scratching or picking at the scabs to avoid spreading the staph infection to other parts of your body. Keep your personal stuff to your self – avoid sharing towels, combs or a bed with others who might get infected. Always keep your wounds clean and change the bandages often.
After all these queries and information, what does staph infection look like to you? Probably it looks like a nuisance. It is, but you can shut it out of your life with simply the right attitude. A good habit of keeping everything and yourself clean will certainly lessen the possibilities of infection.