Staphylococcal infection is caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium and is typically quite easy to cure. Dermatological problems are usually the most common manifestation of this disease and often arise when a wound or burn becomes contaminated with the pathogen. Fortunately, many infections are mild and heal quickly as long as the area is kept clean and bandaged. However, if your symptoms get worse or you experience fever, you should see your doctor. although it is a rather rare event, the bacterium can spread to the blood system and cause serious health problems. Prompt treatment can prevent these serious infections from being life-threatening.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Diagnosing and Treating Skin Infections
Step 1. Look for pimples, boils, or red and swollen areas
Among the staphylococcal aureus infections, the dermatological ones are the most common and manifest themselves with pimples, boils or areas of red, swollen and warm skin to the touch; Sometimes, purulent secretions or other fluids may also leak.
Injured skin is more prone to infection; washing hands often and keeping wounds clean is the most effective way to prevent this type of problem
Step 2. Look for any abscesses or pockets of pus
These are swollen blisters on the skin that fill with pus; they look like fluid-filled blisters rather than swollen lumps and are usually painful to touch. Abscesses that become increasingly painful and ooze pus from the wound can indicate a serious infection. You should therefore see your doctor if you notice these symptoms.
Step 3. Wash your hands before and after touching the infected area
You must thoroughly sanitize them with warm soapy water before cleaning the infection or changing the bandage to avoid further contamination. you have to wash them again after treating the area to avoid spreading germs.
Step 4. Soak minor infections three times a day and cover them with a bandage
Minor abscesses and skin infections often go away on their own with proper home care. Wash the infected area thoroughly, soak it in hot water for 10 minutes three times a day and cover it with a sterile bandage, which should be replaced 2 or 3 times a day or whenever it gets wet.
If you wish, you can add salt. Prepare a solution consisting of a liter of hot water and a tablespoon of salt in which to soak the infected skin; salt acts as a soothing agent and although it cannot kill staph, it can keep other pathogens at bay
Step 5. Do not attempt to drain the abscess on your own
Avoid touching infected skin, unless you are taking care of it to cure it; remember to always wash your hands before and after the treatment. If you have an abscess, you need to leave it undisturbed and not try to drain it or squeeze it like a pimple.
If you scratch an infection or try to squeeze an abscess, you can further contaminate the skin and spread pathogens
Step 6. See your doctor promptly if you have symptoms of a severe skin infection
Light edema or redness often disappears on its own within a day or two while keeping the wound clean; however, if you notice that your symptoms are getting worse or you have a fever, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.
- Only the doctor is able to correctly diagnose a staph infection and can prescribe the appropriate treatment.
- Keep the affected area covered with a sterile bandage until you go to the doctor.
Part 2 of 3: Recognizing Internal Infections
Step 1. Rest and drink plenty of fluids if you have food poisoning
Staphylococcus aureus bacterium is the most common cause of this form of intoxication; the most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and when the disorder is caused by this bacterium, it usually resolves within a couple of days at the latest. Call your doctor if you don't notice any improvement within 24 to 48 hours.
In the meantime, avoid getting too tired, drink lots of water, other energy drinks or Pedialyte to keep yourself hydrated. Try to keep plain boiled rice, soups or broths, and other light foods in your stomach. Wash your hands often to avoid spreading germs, especially if you've been vomiting or have diarrhea
Step 2. See your doctor if you think you have septic arthritis
This is a joint infection often caused by this bacterium. Make a doctor's appointment if you experience symptoms such as severe joint pain, redness, swelling, and fever. The infection frequently develops in the knees, ankles, or toes and typically affects only one joint.
- Symptoms start suddenly; in other forms of arthritis joint pain and swelling gradually increase, often at different times of the day and usually affect more than one joint.
- The doctor can test and take a sample for a bacterial culture; it can also draw excess fluid from the joint to reduce swelling. If they find that you actually have an infection, they can inject you with medication directly into the affected area or prescribe oral antibiotics.
Step 3. Go to the emergency room if you have symptoms of toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
This infection occurs when the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium spreads to the blood system and internal organs. Symptoms include fever over 39 ° C, disorientation, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and red rashes on the palms or soles of the feet.
TSS is a disease that requires immediate medical attention; it can be caused by a tampon held for longer than recommended, or by some burn, wound, or surgical cut that becomes infected
Step 4. Seek help immediately if you have symptoms of septicemia
It is a serious medical condition caused by the immune system's response to the general spread of a bacterial infection. Symptoms include fever above 39 ° C, chills, disorientation, tachycardia, and shortness of breath. Without proper and timely treatment, septicemia can cause blood clots, impaired blood circulation and organ failure.
- It is a disease that requires emergency intervention, so you must go to the hospital as soon as possible if you have an infection that does not heal and have the symptoms described above.
- Although anyone can have septicemia, it most often affects those with compromised immune systems, children, the elderly, people with chronic diseases (such as kidney or liver disease), and those who have suffered severe injuries or burns.
Part 3 of 3: Seeking Medical Care
Step 1. See your doctor if you have severe symptoms or if they get worse
If your skin infection gets worse, doesn't heal, or you complain of severe symptoms such as fever, you need to seek medical attention. While it is quite unusual for infections to be life threatening, even a minor one can actually become a major concern if not treated properly.
It is even more important that you go to the doctor if you have a weak immune system, a chronic illness, are elderly, have a particularly severe injury or burn. When the patient is a newborn or a child with an infection that does not heal or has a high fever, it is essential to see the pediatrician
Step 2. Get medical examination and bacterial culture
When you go to the doctor, the doctor is likely to do a physical exam and ask you when and how your symptoms started. it may also require a bacterial culture to pinpoint the specific cause of the infection.
- If you have a skin infection, the doctor rubs a swab on the area or takes a sample of tissue or pus.
- In the case of TSS or septicemia, a blood sample is taken to detect the presence of the bacteria and analyze the leukocyte formula, although most often the treatment begins even before receiving the results of the tests. As this is a very serious condition, antibiotics and fluids should be given intravenously as soon as possible.
Step 3. Undergo drainage of any type of skin lesion or abscess
If you have a skin infection and an abscess has formed, your doctor drains it. First, it numbs the area, makes a small incision and lets the pus out, then medicates the wound with gauze.
Follow his directions for caring for the wound once the abscess is drained. clean the skin 2 or 3 times a day, apply a medicated ointment if the doctor recommended it, and cover the cut with a clean bandage, which should be replaced 2 or 3 times a day or when it gets wet
Step 4. Take your medications as prescribed
Staph infections that don't heal with simple home care need to be treated with antibiotics. Take your medications as directed by your doctor and don't stop taking them even if you feel better. if you stop taking antibiotics prematurely, the infection could recur or worsen.
In addition, your doctor may recommend that you take pain relievers to reduce swelling, fever, and other symptoms associated with the infection
Step 5. Call your doctor if your symptoms don't improve
Staphylococcus aureus adapts quickly and many strains have become resistant to some antibiotics. Bacterial culture helps the health professional choose the most suitable drug therapy and you should start feeling better within a few days. If you do not improve, you should contact your doctor and discuss alternative therapy with him.
