Staphylococcal infections
Treating staph infections
Some minor staph infections, including minor Carbuncles and food poisoning, don't need specific treatment and will get better on their own within a few days or weeks.
In some cases, antibiotic tablets or creams may be recommended to treat the infection, and you may need a minor procedure to drain any pus from under your skin, usinga needle or scalpel.
Until the infection clears up, you should take precautions to avoid spreading the infection to other people. These include washing your hands regularly, not sharing objects that could become contaminated, regularly cleaning any pus off your skin, and covering the infected area with a dressing or plaster.
Invasive staphylococcal infections will often require treatment in hospital, because your body's functions may need to be supported while the infection is treated. The infection will usually be treated with antibiotic injections for several days.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Read about some of the main types of Staphylococcal infections, including how they're spread and how they're treated.
Types ofstaph infections
Staph infections can be broadly classified into two groups: skin and soft tissue infections, andinvasive infections. Examples are given below. Skin and soft tissue infections Most infections caused
How you get a staph infection
Staph bacteria are common. About one person in every three carries the bacteria harmlessly on their skin, usually inside their nose and on the surface of their armpits and buttocks. However, the bact
Who is affected
Staph skin infections are common, particularly among children, teenagers and young adults.Invasive infections are much rarer. Both types of infection can affect healthy people, but more serious infec
Treating staph infections
Some minor staph infections, including minor Carbuncles and food poisoning, don't need specific treatment and will get better on their own within a few days or weeks. In some cases, antibiotic tablet
Preventing staph infections
You can reduce your chances of developing staph infections by: washing your hands with soap and warm water regularly particularly if you come into contact with someone who has a staph skin infection
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