How to Treat a Staph Infection

Staph, a highly contagious bacteria, can cause a variety of infections in the human body. Some of these infections could lead to severe health issues and are potentially deadly. Simple staph infections can be treated and serious illness prevented.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Doctor visit
• Antibacterial soap
• Towel
• Antibiotic ointment if prescribed
• Antibiotics if prescribed

1. Visit your doctor. Only he can determine if you have a staph infection. If your doctor suspects a staph infection he will take a culture to send to the lab for definitive diagnosis.
2. Follow your doctor's recommendations for treatment if your lab culture comes back positive for a staph infection. Treatment usually includes antibiotic medication and, if appropriate, treating the wound.
3. Take the antibiotic pills if your doctor has prescribed them, per the prescription instructions. Finish all of the medication. Do not stop taking the drugs because you're feeling better.
4. Wash and dry the affected area with antibacterial soap. Staph bacteria spreads easily. Wash any towel you use before reusing it or use a disposable towel and throw it away.
5. Apply any antibiotic cream or ointment prescribed by the doctor.
6. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before touching anything else.
7. Follow up with your doctor to ensure the staph infection is cured.

Tips & Warnings

• Prevent staph infections by washing your hands regularly. Keep any broken skin clean and covered.
• Stop from spreading staph infections by keeping the staph infected skin medicated and covered.
• Staph can spread from infections on the skin by direct contact, or you can get staph food poisoning from eating infected food that hasn't been properly cooked or refrigerated.
• You should contact your doctor immediately if you see pus coming from the infected area, the infected area becomes painful or red or experience chest pain or a fever.