What are staph skin infections?

Staphylococcus (staph or golden staph) bacteria are often found on your skin or nose of healthy people. They usually don't cause any problems.

A staph skin infection happens when these bacteria get inside your body. This can happen if your skin has been damaged.

Some examples of staph skin infections are:

• boils and abscesses
• cellulitis
• impetigo
• necrotising fasciitis
• staphylococcus scalded skin syndrome (SSSS)

What are the symptoms of a staph skin infection?

The symptoms of staph skin infections can range from mild to serious.

Signs of a staph skin infection are:

• swelling around the wound
• redness and heat around the wound
• yellow-coloured scabs (crusts) and weeping
• a wound that doesn't heal
• a fever (a temperature of 38°C or higher)

What causes staph skin infections?

A staph infection of the skin happens when staphylococcus bacteria get inside your body. The bacteria attack your skin and your immune system is unable to overcome the infection.

Wound infections

Any wound can become infected with staph bacteria. Wounds happen when your skin is broken from:

• a graze
• a cut — including cuts from surgery
• an insect bite
• another injury

Read more about wound care here.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and the tissues directly beneath it. It usually starts with a small wound that isn't treated properly.

Impetigo

Impetigo (school sores) is a very contagious skin infection that affects children and infants. It spreads easily in school and childcare settings.

Your child may have impetigo if they have itchy sores or blisters. It's common for the rash to appear around the nose and mouth. But it can be anywhere on the body.

The sores or blisters usually have a yellow or brown crust after they burst.

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS)

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is a serious staph skin infection. It usually affects children under the age of 2 years.

It happens when the staph bacteria make a poison that damages your skin. This makes the skin peel off, like it has been burned with boiling water.

When should I see my doctor?

If you think you have a staph skin infection, it's important to see your doctor as soon as possible.

See your doctor if:

• the infection is getting worse or spreading
• your infection lasts more than a week
• you have a weakened immune system

You should also see your doctor if you keep getting staph infections.

When to seek urgent care?

Severe staph skin infections, like staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS), may need to be treated in hospital.

Your child may have SSSS if they have:

• a fever (temperature of 38°C or higher)
• a red rash
• skin that looks like it is burnt or is peeling off

How are staph skin infections diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and will examine you.

In some cases, your doctor will take a swab from the infection. This will be sent for laboratory testing.

How are staph skin infections treated?

Most staph skin infections can be treated with antibiotic medicine.

It's important to make sure that staph infections aren't spread to others.

Medicines for staph skin infections

Simple infections can be treated at home with topical creams applied to the skin, or oral antibiotics.

Other treatment options

Serious staph infections need to be treated in hospital.

In hospital you or your child will be given intravenous antibiotics. This means the antibiotic is given through a drip or tube straight into your body.

What are the complications of staph skin infections?

Infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are more difficult to treat. This is because the bacteria are resistant to some commonly used antibiotics.

There are still some antibiotics that can be used to treat an infection caused by MRSA.

Antibiotic resistance is caused by overuse of antibiotics. Doctors are now more cautious about prescribing antibiotics.

You should only use antibiotics when you really need them. This can help to reduce the chance of bacteria becoming resistant.

Can staph skin infections be prevented?

It can be hard to prevent staph skin infections. But there are things you can do to lower your chances of getting a staph skin infection.

Wash your hands often with soap and running water. Then dry them with a clean towel, or disposable paper towel.

Keep your skin clean by having a bath or shower every day.

Use paper tissues to blow your nose. Put tissues in the bin after use.

How to prevent the spread of staph skin infections?

If you live with someone who has a staph skin infection you shouldn't share your personal items with them. Don't share your:

• toothbrush
• towel
• wash cloth
• razor
• clothes
• bed linen

Wash their towels and bed linen every day.

Wash your hands straight away if you touch anything that might have the staph bacteria on it.

Children with impetigo should not go to school or childcare until they have had 24 hours of antibiotic medicine. They can go back to school if all the blisters have dried out. Or if all their sores are covered with watertight dressings.

Resources and support

Learn about hand hygiene in languages other than English.

You can find out more about antibiotic resistance on the Australian Government Antimicrobial Resistance webpage.

The Health Translations website has information on MRSA in the community, in English and other languages.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.