Student Health Center
Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
- MaryAnne Cristodero
Staphylococcus aureus (Staph aureus or "Staph") is a bacterium that is carried on the skin or nasal lining of up to 30 percent of healthy individuals. In this setting, the bacteria usually cause no symptoms.
However, when the skin is damaged, even with a minor injury such as a scratch or a small cut from shaving, Staph can cause a wide range of problems. These problems can range from a mild pimple to severe illness, especially in young children, older adults, and people with a weakened immune system.
You can pick up Staph, especially if you:
●Have skin trauma (eg, "turf burns," cuts, or sores)
●Are an athlete
●Shave or wax to remove body hair, particularly of the armpits and groin
●Have tattoos or body piercing
●Have physical contact with a person who has a draining cut or sore or is a carrier of Staph
●Share personal items or equipment that is not cleaned or laundered between users (such as towels or protective sports pads)
STAPH SYMPTOMS — Most people infected with Staph have signs of a skin infection. Such skin infections may appear spontaneously and, in some cases, may be mistaken for a spider bite. The skin may have a single raised red lump that is tender, a cluster of "pimples", or a large tender lump that drains pus (called a carbuncle). The area may enlarge and become progressively more tender, red, and swollen. The center of the raised area may ooze pus.
It is also possible to develop an infection in areas other than the skin if the bacteria enter the bloodstream through an opening in the skin. In this situation, symptoms may include fever and fatigue as well as pain or swelling in the infected area.
STAPH DIAGNOSIS — People with skin infections can be tested for Staph with a culture. Results of the test are usually available in 48 to 72 hours.
STAPH TREATMENT — If Staph is diagnosed, you will be given an antibiotic. The antibiotic dose or type may be changed when the results of the laboratory culture are available.
Treatment of Staph at home usually includes a 7 to 10 day course of an antibiotic (by mouth). It is very important to carefully follow the instructions for taking the antibiotic; this means taking it
on time and finishing the entire course of treatment, even if you feel better after a few days. If the oral antibiotic is not effective or if the infection is making you ill, you may need to be treated in the hospital.
In addition to antibiotics, your healthcare provider may drain the infected area by inserting a needle or making a small cut in the skin. This is done to reduce the amount of infected material (pus), which will help the tissue to heal. You should not try to drain a boil or pimple on your own because this could worsen the infection.
STAPH PREVENTION—A number of prevention strategies are recommended to avoid becoming infected with Staph.
Prevention in the community — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has made the following recommendations [4]:
●Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water. Hands should be wet with water and plain soap and be rubbed together for 15 to 30 seconds. Special attention should be paid to the fingernails, between the fingers, and the wrists. Hands should be rinsed thoroughly and dried with a single-use towel (eg, paper towels).
●Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a good alternative for disinfecting hands if a sink is not available. Hand sanitizers should be rubbed over the entire surface of hands, fingers, and wrists until dry and may be used several times. When a sink is available, visibly soiled hands should be washed with soap and water.
●Keep cuts and scrapes clean, dry, and covered with a bandage until healed.
●Avoid touching other people's wounds or bandages.
●Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms. Other items that should not be shared include brushes, combs, and makeup.
●Students who participate in team sports should shower after every athletic activity using soap and clean towels. Athletes with skin infections should receive prompt treatment and should not compete until cleared by a Health Care Provider.
●People who use exercise machines at sports clubs or schools should be sure to wipe down the equipment, including the hand grips, with an alcohol-based solution after using it.
A basic infection prevention measure —
●Use of disinfectant (antimicrobial cleaning agent) on surfaces (eg, counters, doorknobs, phones, computer keyboards) can help to reduce or eliminate bacteria.
Please contact the Fairfield U. Student Health Center with questions: 203-254-4000, Ext. 2241
