Typically, minor staph infections can be effectively eradicated; however, severe cases may necessitate potent medications.
In this blog article. We’ll be exploring the cure for Staphylococcus aureus in Nigeria. In addition, we’ll look at the home remedies for Staph infection.
The treatment options available for a staphylococcus bacterial infection are contingent upon the kind and severity of the infection, as well as the location of the infection in or on the body. Staph infections can appear in the blood, bones, joints, heart, and lungs in addition to a number of skin-related disorders.
Staph infections, particularly severe cases, can be life-threatening, and even minor infections can turn critical if not treated appropriately. Therefore, any signs of a skin infection caused by staph, such as persistent redness, swelling, or sores, should be promptly brought to the attention of a medical professional.
Regarding minor skin infections caused by staph, it is possible that some may naturally heal without requiring medical treatment, and only necessitate the practice of maintaining cleanliness and skin protection. However, the majority of other staph infections, whether on the skin or internal, will require antibiotics for treatment, while surgery may be necessary on occasion.
Read: Can Ampiclox Cure Staphylococcus?
Drugs For Staph Infection
The primary function of antibiotics is to destroy bacteria. Since the discovery of penicillin, the first antibiotic, in the 1920s, hundreds of antibiotics have been developed for usage. But as the number of antibiotics has grown, some disease-causing bacteria have developed resistance to frequently prescribed antibiotics, rendering those drugs ineffective for treating infections brought on by those bacteria.
The most common strain of staph, Staphylococcus aureus, is infamous for acquiring drug resistance. Nevertheless, numerous antibiotics still prove effective against staph infections. Others are taken orally, injected, or infused intravenously, while some are applied topically to the skin or inside the nose.
To determine the appropriate antibiotic, your doctor will consider the location and severity of your infection, as well as the type of staph present, and may prescribe a combination of several different antibiotics in certain situations.
Here are some commonly used antibiotics for staph:
- Vancomycin (Vancocin)
- Cefazolin (Ancef)
- Bacitracin (Baciguent)
- Clindamycin (Cleocin)
- Nafcillin (Unipen)
- Doxycycline (Doryx)
- Mupirocin (Bactroban)
- Retapamulin (Altabax)
- Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim (Bactrim)
- Cephalexin (Keflex)
- Oxacillin (Bactocill)
Antibiotics may cause side effects, although the specific ones you experience will depend on the medication you take. Some possible side effects include:
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Rash
- Yeast infections occur when the body’s normal mechanism for controlling yeast is interfered with.
If you are prescribed an oral antibiotic, it is essential to carefully follow the instructions on the product label. Some antibiotics must be taken on an empty stomach, while others may be taken with food, which might lessen any stomach discomfort the medication may cause.
To increase the chances of completely curing the infection, it is necessary to finish all of the prescribed medication, even if symptoms begin to improve.
Read: Can Flagyl Treat Staph Infection?
Treating Skin And Internal Infections Caused By Staph Bacteria Through Surgical Means
In some cases, surgical intervention may be required to alleviate a wound, abscess, or boil caused by staph infections. The doctor may make an incision in the affected area to drain the pus or fluid, and may also remove infected fluid from nearby joints.
Additionally, patients with staph infections may also require surgical removal of specialized implants such as prosthetic heart valves, pacemakers, artificial grafts, or artificial limbs.
The Process Of Treating Food Poisoning Caused By Staph Bacteria
The cause of Staph food poisoning is the toxins released by staph bacteria, rather than the bacteria itself. Symptoms, such as stomach cramps, vomiting, and nausea usually appear within 30 minutes to 8 hours of consuming contaminated food and can be relieved by consuming fluids.
In severe cases, intravenous fluids may be required, and if necessary, anti-nausea medication can be prescribed by a doctor. It is important to note that antibiotics are ineffective against the toxins produced by the bacteria.
The Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS), a skin disorder caused by certain types of Staphylococcus bacteria
The treatment for staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in children typically involves hospitalization where they are administered antibiotics, intravenous fluids, skin ointments or creams, and pain relief medication.
Since SSSS leads to the peeling of large skin areas, resembling a scald burn, children affected by this condition usually receive treatment in the burn unit or the intensive care unit of the hospital.
The Methicillin-Resistant Strain Of Staphylococcus Aureus, Or MRSA
MRSA is a staph bacteria that has developed resistance to methicillin and other penicillin-related antibiotics. The means of detection involves taking a sample from a wound, skin lesion, or nostril and culturing the specimen or using a molecular test to identify it.
Oral antibiotics are still effective for minor skin infections, but it is important to take every dose as prescribed. For severe cases, the antibiotic vancomycin is often used, although some strains of MRSA have become resistant to it in recent years.
Serious side effects of intravenous vancomycin, though rare, can include:
- Dizziness
- Severe diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Swelling of the eyes, face, throat, tongue, or lips
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Peeling or blistering skin
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
- Hoarseness
In some cases, doctors may prescribe a combination of several antibiotics to treat severe MRSA infections.
The Use Of Honey As A Remedy For MRSA
Researchers are exploring alternative treatments for staph bacteria due to the increasing issue of antibiotic resistance. Various types of honey have been tested for their ability to hinder the growth of staph bacteria.
Manuka honey, specifically, has been shown to have antimicrobial properties and enhance the effects of specific antibiotics when treating MRSA infections. However, the use of honey to treat staph infections is still in the experimental phase, and applying honey directly to a potential skin infection is not advised as it is unlikely to be effective.
Read: Strongest Antibiotic For Staph Infection In Nigeria
Alternative Treatments For Skin Infections That Can Be Done At Home
The following are some home remedies that can be used to alleviate symptoms of staph infections:
- Warm Compresses: Applying a warm washcloth to boil for approximately 10 minutes may help them to burst.
- Cool Compresses: Using cool compresses can reduce pain caused by infections like septic arthritis.
- Pain Relievers: Taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen for minor infections can alleviate pain.
- Topical Antibiotic Ointment: Over-the-counter (OTC) topical antibiotic ointment can help prevent minor wound infections or speed up their healing. However, if a wound is getting worse rather than improving, it is advisable to seek medical attention.
- Alternative Remedies: Some people apply substances with reported antimicrobial properties like tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, eucalyptus essential oil, oregano essential oil, and others to skin infections to promote healing. Nevertheless, there is limited and in some cases, no evidence that these are effective against staph bacteria. Additionally, concentrated essential oils and other substances can irritate the skin.
Steps That Can Be Taken At Home To Care For A Staph Infection
In case you develop a staph infection on your skin, there are some basic hygiene practices that you should follow to help prevent the spread of infection and promote healing.
These include:
- keeping the affected area clean by following your doctor’s instructions on how to clean the wound or skin condition,
- covering the area with gauze or a bandage as recommended by your doctor to protect it and prevent the spread of the infection,
- avoiding touching the area to avoid spreading the bacteria to other parts of your body,
- and using towels only once after bathing and washing them in hot water before reusing them.
What Kind Of Healthcare Providers Are Responsible For Treating Staph Infections?
Mild cases of staph infections can be treated by primary care doctors, such as internists, family medicine physicians, and pediatricians. For skin staph infections, a dermatologist referral may be necessary.
In case of disease progression or complications, an infectious disease specialist or surgeon may be required. If severe symptoms such as numbness, high fever, or rapidly expanding redness occur, emergency medical attention should be sought. Staph infections affecting the eyes are considered an emergency and should be treated accordingly.
Outlook For Mild And Severe Staph Infections
The outlook for mild skin infections is generally positive. However, infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria, those that become severe or progress to conditions such as sepsis or pneumonia can be life-threatening.
One study showed that around 90,000 people in the United States develop an invasive MRSA infection each year, and approximately 20,000 of them die as a result.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that sepsis is responsible for potentially 11 million deaths globally every year, with bacterial infections being the most common cause.
While not all pneumonia cases are caused by staph bacteria, it kills around 50,000 people annually in the United States. To combat staph, it is important to be aware of the infection’s symptoms, seek help quickly, and follow an effective treatment plan.