Staphylococcal skin infections
Boils
In most cases, boils can be treated successfully at home. One of the best ways to speed up the healing process is to apply a warm facecloth to the boil for 10 minutes, three or four times a day.
The heat increases the amount of blood that circulates around the boil, resulting in more infection-fighting white blood cells being sent there.
Wash your hands thoroughly after touching the boil using soap and hot water as this will help prevent any bacteria being spread to other parts of your body or to other people.
Never attempt to squeeze or pierce the head of a boil because this can spread the infection.
Over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, can be used to relieve any pain caused by the boil.
Impetigo
Impetigo can usually be successfully treated using antibiotic cream (topical antibiotics).
Before applying the cream, wash any affected areas of skin using warm, soapy water. It is very important to wash your hands immediately afterwards. You could also use latex gloves when applying the cream.
Impetigo should respond to treatment within seven days. However, if the condition does not respond or the impetigo is widespread and severe, antibiotic tablets (oral antibiotics) will be prescribed.
A seven-day course of oral antibiotics is normally recommended. If you or your child are prescribed antibiotics, it is important to finish the course of medication even if symptoms clear up.
Cellulitis
Most cases of cellulitis are treated using antibiotics. Cellulitis usually responds quickly to antibiotics and you should soon find your symptoms starting to ease.
You may notice that your skin initially becomes redder when you first start taking the antibiotics, but this is normally only a temporary reaction. The redness should start to fade within 48 hours.
If your symptoms get worse 48 hours after taking the antibiotics, or you start to develop additional symptoms such as a high temperature or vomiting, contact your GP immediately.
Staphylococcal food poisoning
In most cases of staphylococcal food poisoning, you should be able to treat the symptoms at home without the need for medical attention.
If you have food poisoning, make sure you do not become dehydrated because this will make you feel worse and will slow your recovery time.
Dehydration is a risk because fluid is lost through vomiting and diarrhoea. Drink at least two litres (3.5 pints) of water a day, as well as 200ml (one-third of a pint) of water every time you pass a loose stool.
Invasive staphylococcal infections
Most cases of invasive staphylococcal infections need to be treated in hospital. This is because the functions of your body may need to be supported while the infection is treated.
Invasive infections are treated with injections of antibiotics (intravenous antibiotics). Most people will require a 7-10 day course of intravenous antibiotics.
If the strain of bacteria responsible for the infection is not resistant to antibiotics, an antibiotic called nafcillin is usually prescribed.
Side effects of nafcillin are naturally mild and include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
If the infection is caused by meticillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), an antibiotic called vancomycin is prescribed.
Side effects of vancomycin are uncommon, but they can be serious. They include:
- allergic reactions, such as skin rashes, itching or hives and swelling of the face, lips or tongue
- difficulty breathing
- a change in amount or colour of your urine
- a change in hearing, such as hearing loss
- dizziness
- redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- unusual bleeding, such as bleeding from the gums or nose
- feeling unusually weak or tired
