How Is a Staph Infection Treated?
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Medically reviewed by Farah Khan, MD
Staph infections are caused by Staphylococcus bacteria, most commonly the Staphylococcus aureus strain. These bacteria often live in your nose or skin, but don't usually pose a problem or cause an infection. However, if the bacteria enter the skin or bloodstream through cuts or open wounds, you may develop an infection.
Staphylococcus bacteria are contagious and can spread between people by touching infected skin, objects, and surfaces. You can also develop a staph infection by eating contaminated food or water. This infection is also more common in healthcare settings, where it can spread through contact with infected wounds or unwashed hands.
Staph infections range from minor skin infections to life-threatening body-wide infections. Treatment varies depending on how far the infection has progressed and what type of bacteria caused the infection. While you can treat most minor infections at home, more severe infections that affect the blood, bones, or organs will require medical treatment.
Treatments by Type of Staph Infection
Mild infections may only require at-home remedies to help you feel better. But antibiotics are the gold standard for treating most staph infections. Antibiotic medications help kill the bacteria that are causing your symptoms. Antibiotic drugs can come in the form of a topical cream (that you can apply directly to the skin), an oral pill, or an injection. Your exact treatment plan will depend on the type of infection you have.
Antibiotic Resistance
It's worth noting that one type of Staphylococcus aureus, called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), has become resistant to some antibiotic drugs. This means that only certain antibiotics will work to fight MRSA. One common treatment for MRSA is a medication called Vancocin (vancomycin).
Keep in mind: if you develop a staph infection, it's important to receive treatment right away. A staph infection that enters your bloodstream can increase your risk of a serious complication called sepsis (or, septic shock). Sepsis is your body's extreme response to an infection which can cause organ damage or failure if not treated in time.
Treatments for Skin Staph Infections
Skin infections are the most common type of staph infection. Skin infections usually appear as red, swollen areas that may be painful or warm to the touch. They can also cause pus-filled blisters or sores.
Staphylococcus bacteria can cause several types of skin infections, which may include:
Impetigo: Causes red blisters surrounded by a honey-colored crust on the face and neck
Ecthyma: Leads to ulcers that develop deep inside the skin
Cellulitis: An acute (short-term) infection that causes swelling, redness, and warmth of the skin
There are several ways to treat staph skin infections. Your healthcare provider may suggest one or more of the following options depending on the exact infection you have:
Cleaning and draining the pus out of abscesses
Using topical, oral, or injectable antibiotics
Surgically removing dead skin to help the wounds or blisters heal
Treatments for Bacteremia
When Staphylococcus bacteria enter the bloodstream, it may lead to a blood infection called bacteremia. People with catheters in their veins and those with untreated urinary tract infections (UTIs) may be more prone to developing bacteremia. To treat bacteremia, your healthcare provider will typically prescribe you an antibiotic medication. It's important to follow your treatment plan as directed. Without proper treatment, bacteremia can lead to sepsis.
Treatments for Endocarditis
If Staphylococcus bacteria enters the bloodstream and moves to the heart, you may develop endocarditis (the inflammation of your heart's chambers and valves). Endocarditis can cause flu-like symptoms, chest pain, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, endocarditis may lead to heart failure or sepsis.
Treatment usually involves antibiotics. In severe cases, your provider may recommend heart surgery to remove infected tissue or replace damaged heart valves. If you have a cardiac device such as a pacemaker, your surgeon may also need to remove it and place a new one to fix any damaged tissue around the device.
Treatments for Bone Infections
Bone infections (medically known as osteomyelitis), most often occur in children. This type of infection can cause swelling or pain over the infected bone, fever, and chills. The most common treatment for bone infections is antibiotics. But in more severe cases, surgery may sometimes be necessary.
Treatments for Staphylococcus Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. But when Staphylococcus bacteria are causing your symptoms, this condition can be life-threatening. It's worth noting that this condition is less common than other staph infections. But, without proper treatment, it may lead to sepsis and other life-threatening complications. Once you receive your diagnosis, your healthcare provider will prescribe antibiotics to help relieve your symptoms and get rid of the infection.
Treatments for Staphylococcal Infectious Arthritis
Arthritis (the inflammation of your joints) is typically not caused by an infection. But, Staphylococcus bacteria can sometimes cause an infection in the joints, leading to infectious arthritis. People with prosthetic joints are at higher risk for this kind of staph infection because the prosthesis may be contaminated during placement surgery. Like other staph infections, antibiotics are the most common treatment for infectious arthritis.
What To Consider Before Using Antibiotics
Because the primary treatment for staph infections is antibiotics, it's important to know how to use these medications properly and what to expect when you take them. All medications, including antibiotics, can cause certain side effects. Specific side effects will depend on the exact medication you're using, but common side effects of antibiotics include:
Upset stomach
Rash
It is important to take antibiotics exactly as prescribed. For example, you may need to take it with food or at a certain time of day. MRSA infections and serious systemic infections generally require antibiotics to be injected through a vein (intravenously), so it's important to follow the directions on your injection pen.
Keep in mind: it's essential to take the full course of your medication, even if you start feeling better before you finish it. Stopping an antibiotic early can cause the infection to come back or make the bacteria more resistant to the treatment.
Managing Staph Infections
Staph infections that are not effectively treated with antibiotics can spread into the blood, tissues, and organs. These systemic infections can become life-threatening. While some minor skin infections will go away on their own, it is important to consult your healthcare provider if you suspect a staph infection.
Experts believe staph infections are becoming more difficult to treat as more and more strains become resistant to antibiotics. For this reason, preventing the infections altogether is key. Researchers are working to improve prevention measures for infections that spread widely in hospitals and other healthcare settings. But there are individual prevention strategies you can use as well, including:
Wash your hands: Washing your hands regularly with soap and water is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of bacteria. Be sure to wash your hands before eating, after using the bathroom, and after touching surfaces that may be contaminated.
Clean and cover your wounds: If you have a cut or scrape, be sure to clean it with soap and water and cover it with a bandage until it heals. This will help prevent bacteria from entering the wound and causing an infection.
Limit contact with an infected person: Staph infections are contagious, so if you have a loved one who is experiencing symptoms, it's best to not make contact with them until their infection goes away. If you are the caretaker for someone with a staph infection, it may help to wear a mask and use gloves when touching them.
Handle food properly: Staph bacteria can also spread through contaminated food and water. That's why it's important to clean fruits and vegetables thoroughly and drink clean water.
Avoid sharing personal items: You can develop a staph infection through touching or sharing personal items, like towels, razors, and clothing. Avoid sharing these items with others, especially if someone in your household has a staph infection.
A Quick Review
Staph infections are common bacterial infections that can range from mild skin problems to serious, life-threatening conditions. While treatment with antibiotics is usually effective, prevention is key to staying healthy. Keeping your hands and wounds clean, avoiding sharing personal items, and washing food properly can all help you prevent an infection. If you do develop an infection, it's important to see your provider right away for prompt treatment to reduce the risk of complications.
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