Staph Infection: Identification and Treatment

In some cases, staph infections are minor. But in other cases, they can become dangerous MRSA or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. The latter means an immediate visit to urgent care.

Causes of Staph Infections

The bacteria that cause staph infections live on the skin and in the noses of healthy people. It is called Staphylococcus bacteria. When there is an overgrowth, it becomes a staph infection.

Symptoms of Staph Infection

You may have a range of symptoms depending on what kind of staph infection you have. If you have the following symptoms, visit urgent care or the ER right away:

• Fever
• Irritated, painful skin rash
• Blisters leaking fluid
• Skin infections passing from one person to the next

Cellulitis

Cellulitis happens when the infection gets below the surface of the skin. The symptoms are red, swelling skin, and oozing sores.

Boils

This is when an infection of the hair follicle or oil gland occurs. Symptoms include swollen skin and raised pimple-like spots.

Impetigo

Impetigo symptoms are blisters on the skin. These break open and leak fluid before developing a crust. Impetigo is one of the more contagious types of staph infection.

Food Poisoning

There are some food poisoning cases caused by staph bacteria. This is due to the growth of this bacteria in old or spoiled food. Symptoms generally include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, low blood pressure, and dehydration.

Bacteremia

This is the term for what happens when staph bacteria enter the bloodstream. The symptoms can include fever and low blood pressure. This staph infection can come from meningitis, endocarditis, or pneumonia.

Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome

Toxins released by staph bacteria lead to staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. This is more common in babies and young children. Its symptoms are fever, rashes, and blisters.

Septic Arthritis

When staph bacteria enter the fingers, toes, knees, shoulders, or hips, it is called septic arthritis. The symptoms are painful, swollen joints and fever.

Toxic Shock Syndrome

This condition is most commonly linked to tampons. The symptoms are stomach aches, muscle aches, fever, and diarrhea. You may also be confused or see a rash on your hands and feet.

MRSA

This is the most dangerous staph infection because it is resistant to many antibiotics. The symptoms of this staph infection include sores on the skin and skin that is painful and hot to touch. Fever is another symptom.

Treatment of Staph Infection

Treatment of staph infection involves cleaning the area and prescribing antibiotics. Doctors may prescribe daptomycin, nafcillin, linezolid, or oxacillin to help. It is essential to take all antibiotics as directed and finish the medication. There are some cases where staph infections will not respond to antibiotics. In this case, IV antibiotics may be prescribed.

Prevention of Staph Infection

You can follow some good hygiene practices to help reduce your chance of staph infection.

Consider the following tips:

• Wash bedding and clothing regularly.
• Don’t leave tampons in for more than a few hours; use sanitary napkins when possible.
• Follow food safety practices.
• Practice good hand-washing techniques.
• Keep wounds clean and change bandages often.

Get Help Identifying and Treating Staph Infection at Legacy ER & Urgent Care

Legacy ER & Urgent Care is here to meet your medical care needs by providing affordable pricing and quality care. As part of Intuitive Health’s innovative hybrid model ER and urgent care system, patients are only billed for the level of care they receive from professional and highly trained medical staff. With six facilities located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, emergent and non-emergent care are accessible and transparent, focusing on superb customer service.

Legacy ER & Urgent Care has six convenient locations in the DFW area:

• Allen – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 1310 W. Exchange Pkwy Allen, TX 75013, and may be reached at 972-526-5819.
• Coppell – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 330 S Denton Tap Rd Coppell, TX 75019 and may be reached at 469-702-9917.
• Frisco East – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 16151 Eldorado Pkwy Frisco, TX 75035 and may be reached at 972-526-7009.
• Frisco West – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 9205 Legacy Dr. Frisco, TX 75033, and may be reached at 972-526-7020.
• McKinney – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 2810 Hardin Blvd McKinney, TX 75072 and may be reached at 972-573-6688.
• North Richland Hills – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 8950 N. Tarrant Pkwy North Richland Hills, TX 76182, and may be reached at 817-663-1247