Staph
Infections
Infections caused
by the staphylococcus bacteria.
What to look for
Usually infections remain
in the one organ or area, but staph infections can produce disease in any part of your
body. It can enter the bloodstream through a cut or another type of wound and travel to
anywhere in the body. You may experience different symptoms as it depends on where the
infection develops.
If an infection develops in
the heart, lungs or the kidneys it can cause serious problems. People with a chronic
illness, such as diabetes, cancer, or
chronic liver or kidney disease, are particularly
susceptible to severe staph infections.
These infections can
develop in the hair follicles, where they can remain on the surface and look like small
pimples or go deeper and become boils
Conjunctivitis is another
type of staph infection, this causes the eyes to redden and to weep pus which forms a
crust overnight during sleep. also of
Toxic shock syndrome is a staph infection and it
occurs in women who leave tampons in too long. A staph infection can enter the breasts of
nursing mothers resulting in painful breast abscesses.
Staph infections sometimes
spread through the bloodstream to the bones and joints. The joint swells and fills with
pus.
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Causes
Staph infections are caused
by Staphylococcus, a bacteria commonly found in the nose, mouth, rectum, or genital area.
The bacteria are harmless until they enter the body. Once they are inside the body, the
bacteria form pus-containing abscesses.
Traditional Treatment
With less severe conditions
such as with boils, you may be able to treat yourself at home.
However, if the condition
worsens, your doctor will probably give you an oral antibiotic. Other abscesses are too
large to treat and must be lanced by a surgeon or doctor. Never do this yourself. You must
be in completely sterile surroundings.
Alternative/Natural
Treatments
See our Pharmacist who can
advise you on the best course of action to treat your staph infection. As mentioned above,
some abscesses must be lanced by a doctor.
Alternative treatment may
be able to treat minor infections very well. This type of treatment will also focus on strengthening your immune system to prevent further
outbreaks.
Herbal
Therapies - Several herbs have antibacterial properties that are believed to
be helpful in fighting staph infections. They include: Several herbs have antibacterial properties that are believed to
be helpful in fighting staph infections. They include:
Garlic (Allium sativum): Take three cloves a day at the
first sign of infection; if garlic smell becomes a problem, try three garlic oil capsules
instead or eat fresh parsley.
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
Echinacea (Echinacea spp)
To help heal staph
abscesses use cleavers (Galium aparine).
Aromatherapy
- Try geranium, grapefruit or lemon in a warm compress or apply topically. See the Aromatherapy section for more
details.Try geranium, grapefruit or lemon in a warm compress or apply topically. See the Aromatherapy section for more
details.
Dietary considerations
Alter your diet to include
plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Drink plenty of filtered water. To further help your
immune system fight the infection, take zinc
supplements daily. In addition, supplements of vitamin
C and bioflavonoids, may help fight the infection.
Personal Care
Apply heat on the boil or
abscess to help it heal.
To help prevent scarring,
add a few drops of thyme oil, lavender, or bergamot to the water in which the washcloth is
soaked.
After the pus has
drained, clean the area with warm water and lemon juice. Keep clean until completely
healed. Do not ever lance a boil yourself. lance a
To prevent a staph
infection from spreading while it heals, take showers rather than baths.
When to seek further
professional advice
any pain, swelling, or
pus forms around a cut or scraped area of skin; the infection may spread into the
bloodstream.
the lymph nodes in your
neck, armpits, or groin become swollen; this can also be a symptom of a variety of other
illnesses, including mononucleosis, tuberculosis, and cancer.
you have a boil that is
very tender, particularly if it has red lines radiating from it, or if you have fever and
chills; the infection may have spread.
you have a boil or
carbuncle on or near your lip, nose, cheeks, forehead, or spine; the infection can spread
into your brain or spine.
you have recurrent boils;
they may be a sign of diabetes.
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