What is Staph Infection?

Staphylococcus (commonly called as Staph) is a group of bacteria that causes a multitude of skin infections among humans. Over 30 different types of Staphylococci can infect humans, but most infections are caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococci can be found normally in the nose and on the skin (and less commonly in other locations) of 20%-30% of healthy adults. These Staph Skin Infections range from minor ones requiring no medication to quite severe ones.

The Staph Infection often begins with a small cut, abrasion or crack which gets infected by the Staphylococcus bacteria. The severity of the skin infection depends on how fast and how deep the bacteria spread and whether the infection is treatable with antibiotics or not. The Antibiotic Resistant Staph Infections like MRSA are common in North America.

Some more conditions caused by the Staph Bacteria are:

Folliculitis
An infection of the hair follicles that causes small white headed boils on the skin. This often starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing, blockage of the follicle, or shaving.

Boils
Localized skin infections that run deeper within hair follicles that leave swollen, red, painful lump in the skin.

Styes or Hordeolum
Infection of the follicle surrounding the eyelashes that causes pimple-like sores on eyelids.

Impetigo
Generally affects the skin around mouth and nose, causes red sores which develop into blisters. While Impetigo skin infection is most common among children, contact sports athletes are also susceptible.

Abscess
An infection of skin that causes localized collection of pus accompanied by inlammation of the infected area. This may appear on any part of the bidy.

What are the Symptoms and Signs of a Staph infection?

Staph infections range from a simple boil to antibiotic resistant infections to flesh-eating infections. This makes it imperative to identify the infection in the early stages and opt for the correct treatment.

Most commonly the infection starts with a noticeable redness, swelling and pain in the affected area. Sometimes it begins with a skin sore or a localized collection of pus, known as an abscess, boil, or furuncle. As the severity increases the patient may develop fever.

What are the causes of Staph Infection on the Skin?

The Staphylococcus bacteria naturally reside on the human body. Whenever there is damage to the skin in form of a cut or abrasion the bacteria may enter the wound. As the bacteria overcome the natural protective mechanisms of the body it leads to the Staph Skin Infections.

People with weak immune system or already having skin problems like burns or eczema are more susceptible to the infection.

How to Prevent Staph Infection?

Good Hygiene is the best way to protect yourself from staph infection. People who are otherwise healthy typically do not usually become severely ill from staph infections, but those at special risk, who have weakened immune systems.

For more information visit: How to Prevent Staph Infection

Staph Infection Prevention and Treatment with Defense Soap

As a fighter or sports person you need to sanitize your skin regularly. However using synthetic chemicals to cleanse your skin before you train is not the right option. The bacteria on your skin are your natural protection when you are training. Using products that contain triclosan, alcohol or other chemicals before you train makes you more susceptible to Staph skin infections by killing the protection that nature has provided for you.

The Defense Soap Advantage

Defense Soap does not contain synthetic chemicals. Instead, it is formulated with 100% natural essential oils. These essential oils are known to have very powerful antibacterial, antiviral properties. Yet, they do not destroy all of the skin’s natural bacteria, as chemicals will. The healthy bacteria left behind continue to flourish and allow the skin to continue to protect itself from harmful pathogens.

Secondly, using soap as the delivery method makes perfect sense. Soap can penetrate every part of your body easily, simply, quickly and economically.

Articles & Blog Posts on Staph Skin Infection

1. Signs of Staph Skin Infections
2. Guidance for Schools and Student Athletes about Community-Associated Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA) Infections
3. Dr. Happy’s Advice about Preventing Skin Infections
4. Beth Israel faulted for staph infection outbreak in mothers, babies
5. Treatment and Prevention of Staph Skin Infections in Wrestlers