Staph (staphylococcal) infection stages range from mild to extremely serious and even life-threatening.
However, if you catch and treat it early, you might keep it from becoming more serious.
resulting from theStaphylococcusfamily of bacteria,staph infectionscan take on many forms but most often target the skin.
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Healing times are difficult to predict and depend on your infection throw in and how serious it is.
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What Is a Staph Infection?
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
A staph infection is triggered by bacteria belonging to theStaphylococcusfamily.
TheStaphylococcusbacteria live on some peoples skin or in their noses but don’t cause an infection.
Reproduced with permission from DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonenwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Stages
In the early stage,Staphylococcusis confined to a small area, usually discolored and sore.
It may look like a small pimple orboil.
It could be swollen, and sometimes you’ll have pus or drainage.
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The body can often ward off the infection at this stage.
If not, the infection can spread until its treated withantibiotics.
Discoloration and Skin Tone
The discoloration of staph-related sores may vary based on your skin color.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
On light-colored skin, its likely to be pink or red.
It may look purplish or simply darker than the usual skin tone on dark brown or black skin.
Reproduced with permission from DermNet and Raimo Suhonenwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
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Bacteria can also spread to the blood and other areas of the body, such as thelymphatic system.
What Is Pus?
Pusis a thick, opaque, often yellow-white fluid accumulating due to infection.
It may give off a foul odor or take on a brown or green tint.
Four Stages of Staph Abscess Infection
Infection can spread in various ways.
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Causes
Staph bacteria cause an infection when they enter the body.
It can enter the by through a cut or sore.
It can also be ingested.
Staph bacteria can be transmitted from person to person.
Risk Factors
Several factors influence how staph infection spreads.
If it doesn’t improve within a week, though, you should begin medication.
This typically works in conjunction with antibiotics.
However, these drugs are ineffective against MRSA.
Expect to be on antibiotics for at least a couple of weeks.
Options for Antibiotic-Resistant Staph
Other classes of antibiotics can work against methicillin-resistant strains.
Medical labs perform antibiotic susceptibility testing on cultures collected from your abscesses to determine which is best for you.
Make the decision of whether and how to use CAM treatments with your healthcare provider.
you could treat mild infections at home by cleaning and caring for the wound.
If its spreading or not getting better, you may need antibiotics.
The antibiotic bang out you will need depends on the infections location and severity and whether its drug-resistant.
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