Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Diagnosing and Treating Skin Infections
• Method 2 of 3: Recognizing an Internal Infection
• Method 3 of 3: Medical Assistance

The causative agent of staphylococcal infections is a bacterium Staphylococcus aureus... These infections are usually easy to treat. Most often, staphylococcal infection affects the skin where it is damaged (for example, with burns or wounds). Fortunately, in most cases, the infection is mild and resolves quickly if the affected area is washed and bandaged. However, if your symptoms worsen or your temperature rises, you should see your doctor. More rarely, a staphylococcal infection can enter the bloodstream and cause serious health problems. In this case, you must immediately seek medical attention to avoid life-threatening complications.

Attention:the information in this article is for informational purposes only. Check with your healthcare professional before using any medication.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Diagnosing and Treating Skin Infections

1. 1 Pay attention to acne boils and areas of reddened or swollen skin. The most common staphylococcal infection affects the skin. In this case, acne, boils, blisters are formed, in the affected areas the skin turns red and swells, it becomes hot to the touch. Sometimes the infection is accompanied by pus or other discharge.
   • Damaged skin is especially prone to infection. To prevent staphylococcal infections, wash your hands more often and keep damaged skin areas clean.
2. 2 Check if there is abscesses, that is, cavities filled with pus. Abscesses are swollen areas of skin that are filled with pus. To the touch, these not very hard bumps seem to be filled with fluid, and usually touching them causes pain. If the pain increases and pus oozes from the damaged skin, you should see your doctor, as this could be a sign of a serious infection.
3. 3 Wash your hands before and after touching the damaged area. Before cleaning a damaged area or applying a bandage, wash your hands thoroughly with hot water and soap. This will prevent further contamination of the wounds. After treating damaged skin, wash your hands again to prevent the spread of germs.
4. 4 For a mild infection, wash the affected area three times a day and apply a bandage. With proper home care, small abscesses and mild infections will clear up on their own. Rinse the damaged area thoroughly and keep it for 10 minutes in warm water three times a day, after which apply a sterile bandage. Change the bandage 2-3 times a day, or if it gets wet.
   • Salt can be added to warm water if desired. Try keeping the damaged area in a water solution of salt. To do this, take 1 liter of warm water and add a tablespoon (30 grams) of salt to it. The salt will help soothe your skin. Although salt does not kill staphylococcal bacteria, it helps in killing other germs.
5. 5 Do not try to squeeze out the abscess yourself. Only touch the affected area when you need to rinse it, and be sure to wash your hands before and after. Do not try to clear the abscess, pierce it, or squeeze out pus.
   • Do not scratch the infected area or try to squeeze out an abscess, as this can lead to skin contamination and further spread of germs.
6. 6 If you have any signs of a serious skin infection, see your doctor right away. Slight swelling and redness will go away on their own in a day or two if you keep the affected area clean. However, if pain, swelling, or abscesses increase or are accompanied by fever, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.
   • Only a doctor can be sure to recognize a staphylococcal infection and to prescribe an appropriate treatment.
   • Apply a sterile dressing to the damaged area until you see your doctor.

Method 2 of 3: Recognizing an Internal Infection

1. 1 At food poisoning Get more rest and drink plenty of fluids. Staphylococcal infection is a common cause of foodborne illness. In this case, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are observed. If the poisoning is caused by a staphylococcal infection, it usually goes away in about a day. See your doctor if your condition does not improve within 24 to 48 hours.
   • Until your condition improves, try to get more rest and drink enough water, sports drinks, and rehydration solutions to stay hydrated. Try simple rice, soups, broths, and other digestible foods. Wash your hands often to prevent the spread of bacteria, especially if you have vomiting or diarrhea.
2. 2 See your doctor if you suspect you have septic arthritis. This joint infection is often caused by staphylococcal bacteria. Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience symptoms such as severe joint pain, redness and swelling, and high fever. The infection usually affects the knees, ankles, or toes, with only one joint.
   • Symptoms of septic arthritis come on suddenly. In other forms of arthritis, joint pain and swelling increases gradually, often occurs at specific times of the day, and usually affects multiple joints.
   • The doctor will examine you and take a culture sample. It aspirates the joint, that is, it draws out excess fluid from it to reduce swelling. If you are diagnosed with an infection, your doctor will inject the drug into the joint or prescribe oral antibiotics.
3. 3 Seek immediate medical attention in case of infectious toxic shock (TSS). When staphylococcus bacteria enter the bloodstream and internal organs, TSS can occur. Symptoms include fever above 39 ° C, disorientation, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and a red rash on the palms and feet.
   • With TSS, immediate medical attention is required. Infectious toxic shock can occur from using a tampon for a longer time than recommended, or due to infection of a burn, wound, or surgical site.
4. 4 Get immediate medical attention if you experience sepsis symptoms. Sepsis is a dangerous disease caused by the immune system's response to the spread of infection. Symptoms of sepsis include fever above 39 ° C, chills, disorientation, rapid heart rate, and shortness of breath. Without immediate medical attention, sepsis can lead to blood clots, impair circulation, and internal organ failure.
   • Sepsis requires immediate medical attention, so if the infection persists and is accompanied by symptoms of sepsis, see a doctor as soon as possible.
   • Although no one is immune from sepsis, it is more likely to affect people with weakened immune systems, infants and the elderly, as well as people with chronic conditions (such as kidney or liver disease) and after severe burns or injuries.

Method 3 of 3: Medical Assistance

1. 1 See your doctor if your symptoms are severe or worsening. If your skin infection becomes more serious, persists, or is accompanied by severe symptoms such as a high fever, you should seek medical attention. Although infections are rarely life-threatening, even a mild skin infection without proper treatment can lead to serious complications.
   • Moreover, you should consult a doctor if you have a weakened immune system, you suffer from chronic diseases, belong to the elderly, or have received a serious burn or wound. It is also necessary to see a doctor in the case of an infection in an infant or young child, if it persists or is accompanied by a high fever.
2. 2 The doctor will examine you and take a culture sample. He will also ask you about what symptoms you are experiencing and when they started. The doctor will probably do a culture of bacteria to determine what exactly is causing the infection.
   • In the case of a skin infection, the doctor will take a swab from the affected area to obtain a sample of tissue or pus.
   • For TSS or sepsis, your doctor will order a blood test for bacteria and white blood cell counts, but treatment is often started before test results are available. Since these diseases are life-threatening, antibiotics and intravenous injections of liquid drugs are prescribed almost immediately.
3. 3 The doctor will remove fluid from the abscesses. If your skin infection is accompanied by an abscess, your doctor may drain it. He will give an anesthetic injection, lightly cut the abscess to drain pus, and apply a bandage.
   • Follow your doctor's advice after he has removed the pus from the abscess. Rinse the affected area 2-3 times a day, apply a medicated ointment as directed by your doctor, and apply a clean bandage. Change the bandage 2-3 times a day, or as soon as it gets wet.
4. 4 Take your medications as directed by your doctor. If you cannot get rid of a staphylococcal infection with home remedies, antibiotics are prescribed. Take your medications as instructed by your doctor and do not stop even if you feel better. If you stop taking antibiotics early, the infection may return in a more serious form.
   • Among other things, your doctor may recommend taking pain relievers to help reduce swelling, fever, and other symptoms.
5. 5 If your condition does not improve, tell your doctor. Staphylococcus bacteria are able to quickly adapt, and many strains have acquired antibiotic resistance. Culture will help your doctor choose the right antibiotics, and your condition should improve in a couple of days. If this does not happen, contact your doctor and get advice about changing drugs.
   • Your doctor may prescribe stronger antibiotics for intravenous injection.