Staph Infections

Staphylococcus bacteria or “staph” for short creates an infection that can be carried in the nose and mouth as well as genital and anal areas. Staph is also prevalent in the air we breathe and the food we eat. Staph tends to infect the feet as well as it makes constant contact with the floor. It usually starts with a small skin break or cut but just wide enough for the bacteria to enter. Staph is also classified as a flesh eating infection.

It starts as a simple boil and then can graduate in to a flesh-eating infection. Because of the overuse of antibiotics, some of these infections become antibiotic-resistant.

There is one type of staph infection particular to the skin known as cellulitis. Cellulitis affects the deeper layers of the skin. This type of staph infection is quite common and can be even more dangerous for people with immune system problems or diabetes. If an individual’s immune system is too weak, this bacteria can set root in the body and thrive. Diabetics or people with high glucose levels tend to have drier skin and lack sufficient ability to fight off harmful bacteria.

Staph cellulitis generally starts as a small patch of skin that is tender and with redness and swelling. Though it can start as an open sore, there does not have to be a break in the skin at all. In fact, the infection can be quite unpredictable.

If there is a skin lesion or ulcer with symptoms including redness with warming and swelling along with pain then you may be developing cellulitis. The symptoms for cellulitis can also progress and spread escalating to other symptoms such as fever, chills, and sweats.