Staph infection?

Staphylococci are gram-positive, aerobic organisms. Staphylococcus aureus is the most pathogenic; it typically causes skin infections and sometimes pneumonia, endocarditis, and osteomyelitis. It commonly leads to abscess formation. Some strains elaborate toxins that cause gastroenteritis, scalded skin syndrome, and toxic shock syndrome. Diagnosis is by Gram stain and culture. Treatment is usually with penicillinase-resistant β-lactams, but because antibiotic resistance is common, vancomycin may be required. Some strains are resistant to all but the newest ribosome-targeted antibiotics (eg, linezolid, quinupristin plus dalfopristin) or daptomycin (a lipopeptide antibiotic).

Please see the web pages for more details on Staphylococcus areus, corbunculosis and Staph infections.

Everybody has staphylococcus on their skin...People get staph infections, just like you've described, when there is a break in the skin and the staph virus gets into a skin break. It oftentimes takes two rounds of antibiotics to get rid of it. It is very, very, very important that your daughter take each dose of the medication for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Even if the lesions go away and she thinks she is cured, she should still take all of the antibiotic medication. Also, educate her on the importance of washing her hands thoroughly and frequently throughout the day and to keep her hands away from the boils she already has.

Sometimes people are colonized with staph infection (most healthcare workers who work in hospitals are). These people have a hard time getting rid of staph infections and have to go through a decolonization therapy. This may be an option your doctor chooses if your daughter doesn't respond to oral therapy. Decolonization therapy is a third round of antibiotics along with a special ointment that is applied inside the nostrils. It's painless and very effective if followed properly. For more information, check out this website.

"Phyl" has a casual knowledge of this but she blew it when she called staph a virus when it is, in fact, a bacteria. Take off the nurse's cap, Phyl, and get a license. The symptoms of staph infection depend on the site and manifestation of the infection. In your daughter's case, you've seen what the symptoms for her infection look like. These boils are called furuncles or carbuncles. It may be a particularly virulent infection in that it requires a second round of antibiotic therapy.

One of the possible adverse effects of the contraceptive patch is rash, but not like what is affecting your daughter.

See that she keeps her skin as clean and dry as possible. Doesn't wear cothing that rubs or irritates. Doesn't apply lotions or oils to the affected areas unless directed by her doctor. Remind her to wash her hands before and after contact with the furuncles. Consider them contagious and avoid direct contact with any pus or other contents.

Your daughter's condition is quite common. It is called a furuncle when staph causes a pustular skin infection also know as a boil. It usually comes to a head with pus like you described. Treatment is antibiotics and warm soaks in epsom salt. You can use drawing salve to dry it out to get it to a head quicker. Don't squeeze it as it can spread the infection Staph is on the skin. Bacteria like moist areas like in the skin folds. Tell her to stop wearing tight clothing and wear boxers to cut down on trapping the moisture.

The usual treatment are with antibiotics,mostly with broad spectrum oral medication,taken up to 14 days per regimen.Staphylococcus aureous is the most common bacteria to cause these infections..The symptoms are fever,chills,loss of appetite and lethargy,and increasing amount of skin eruptions like the abscesses you have described.Complications of these abscesses are common,involving deeper structures of the skin and fatty tissues,and even muscle tissues. Using continuous warm soaks will help to bring these lesion to a head,and drainage will occur. Sometimes when these open and drain,a "dead space", deep in the abscess will form and bacteria and dead cells will continue to keep the area infected. MD's care is required to treat these ,and a drain may have to be placed. Occasionally these infections can enter the blood stream,and cause a life threatening "septicemia". That calls for IV antibiotics,admission to an ICU,and fluid resuscitation to treat "shock".Washing with a Povodone iodine type soap solution,like they use in a hospital before surgery will help keep the bacteria count down on the skin,and were the lesions are."Betadine" is the brand name,available in any pharmacy. The BCP's and patch has nothing to do with this infection.Be careful with any dressings,wear gloves when doing any wound care.Washing your hands well,will help allot to get rid of this infection. Take care. SW RNP

doesn't sound like a staph infection. you should probably get a second opinion. staph infections (esp in America) have become prone to antibiotics so all you can do is help prevent future outbreaks. if it is staph, let the sores get better on their own.

response to the above answer - staph is not a virus its a bacteria.

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I was going to email you, as I suffer from the same condition, but you don't allow email.