Home Remedies and Herbs for Staph Infection

A staph infection refers to an infection of the bacteria Staphylococcus. There are more than 30 types of this bacteria, but the most common is Staphylococcus aureus.¹ This bacteria is found even on the surface of the skin in healthy people and rarely cause issues.² However, if they get into the body, these infections lead to a range of conditions, including food poisoning, pneumonia, skin infections, toxic shock syndrome, and blood poisoning.¹ 

If the infection enters the bloodstream and gets deep into bodily tissue such as the heart, lungs, or bones, it can cause serious life-threatening issues.² Skin infections are the most common type of staph infection, and it’s typically treated through the use of antibiotics.¹ 

What Causes Staph Infection?

Staph infections occur when your body comes into contact with the Staphylococcus bacteria. The bacteria spread from person to person and can enter the body in a number of ways, such as through a cut in the skin.^1,3 Risk for a staph infection increases if you have:

• Diabetes
• HIV or AIDs
• A weakened immune system
• Skin damage
• Kidney failure
• Cancer
• Respiratory problems
• Burns
• Surgical wounds

Staph infections are commonly caught in hospitals because the bacteria is difficult to eradicate and it easily invades the ill.⁴ The infection can also enter the body through invasive devices such as urinary catheters and feeding tubes.4 Because staph germs can live on inanimate objects, it’s possible for patients to catch it through clothing, bedding, or sinks.⁵

Staph infections are also common in athletes who play contact sports since the bacteria is easily spread through cuts and skin-to-skin contact. It can also be spread by sharing towels, uniforms, razors, and equipment as is common among sports teams.⁴ 

Staph Infection Symptoms

Staph infection symptoms vary depending on the type of infection. Skin infections, for example, can result in boils, impetigo, or cellulitis. These areas of infection may be red, swollen, and painful, and may contain pus.¹ 

Food poisoning is another condition caused by a staph infection. Food poisoning occurs shortly after you eat with symptoms that appear and disappear quickly. Food poisoning symptoms include:

• Low blood pressure
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea

Food poisoning caused by a staph infection usually doesn’t result in fever.

Other conditions and symptoms that can arise from a staph infection include toxic shock syndrome, which results in high fever, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, and confusion; septic arthritis, which includes fever and joint pain and swelling; and bacteremia, also known as blood poisoning, which leads to fever and low blood pressure.⁶

References

1. https://medlineplus.gov/staphylococcalinfections.html
2. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/staph-infections/basics/definition/con-20031418
3. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/staph-infections/basics/causes/con-20031418
4. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/staph-infections/basics/risk-factors/con-20031418
5. http://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/carepoints/staph-infections-hospital
6. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/staph-infections/basics/symptoms/con-20031418