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Step 1
Learn the signs and symptoms of a staph infection so that it can be treated right away. Skin staph infections present themselves in several ways. Boils are the most common kind of staph infection. They occur when bacteria gets into an oil gland or hair follicle and causes it to become infected. The surface of the skin may become red, swollen and painful. It also may leak pus or blood. Impetigo is a rash that is caused by the staphylococcus bacteria. It causes blisters that can ooze and form a crust. Cellulitis is an infection of the skin that often occurs on the legs and feet, most commonly in the elderly. It makes the skin red and swollen, taking on a dimpled appearance. Scalded skin syndrome appears mostly in newborns and causes blisters that peel and look like burned skin.
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Step 2
Get to the doctor if you notice any signs of infection. If the doctor suspects that you may have a staph infection, she may take a skin scraping or sample of fluid to look at under a microscope. This is the definitive way to tell if it is a staph infection. Sometimes, like with a boil, the doctor may forgo testing and will simply treat the infection.
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Step 3
The the infection with an antibiotic. This is the most common form of treatment. However, many strains of the bacteria have adapted to these forms of treatment and are no longer killed by them. For example, penicillin is only used to treat a small amount of infections because much of the bacteria are resistant to it. When a strain of staphylococcus areus develops a resistance to certain antibiotics, it is called MRSA or methicillin-resistant staphylococcus areus. This condition is more difficult to treat and the correct antibiotic has to be determined. Depending on the nature of the infection, antibiotics can be administered as an oral medication or a topical cream. Boils may be lanced to relieve pressure and encourage draining.
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Step 4
Prevent staph infections from occurring in the first place. Prevention is the best medicine. Practice good hygiene by washing hands often and keeping any wounds clean and covered. This will keep bacteria from entering the open skin. Also, use caution when taking antibiotics. Only take antibiotics for infections, as they are powerless against viruses like the cold and flu. Always finish your course of antibiotics, even if you start feeling better before they are done. It is important to completely kill the bacteria, or any remainders could develop a resistance to the medication.
