I Give You Staph Again in My

Staphylococcus aureus (or 'staph') is a kind of germ (bacteria) that is a common cause of skin infections. For most people staph skin infections clear up after treatment and seldom return, but for some people staph skin infections can recur or be an ongoing problem.

On this page, you can find the following information:

• Bathing and showering
• Applying ointment to your nostrils
• Longer course of antibiotics
• Practice good hygiene in your home

For some people a staph skin infection can recur and come back after it is cured. If you have a staph skin infection it must first be treated with antibiotics from your doctor. It is also important to wash towels and sheets (in hot water if you can) at the beginning of your treatment and anytime theybecome contaminated by pus or discharge from boils. If you have recurrent Staph skin infections, you doctor may also recommend some of the following strategies to prevent them from returning.

Bathing and showering

Your doctor may advise you to have a bath daily for seven days with an antiseptic such as chlorhexidine. If you don't have a bath, have a shower and put the antiseptic straight on your skin like soap (undiluted). Leave the antiseptic on your skin (especially under your armpits, breasts, groin and bottom) for at least five minutes before washing off.

Alternatively, your doctor may recommend you have a bleach bath 2 or 3 times for 1 week, by adding household bleach to your bath or tub with warm water. Bleaches come in different strengths.When preparing a bleach bath, it is very important that the bleach is diluted in the correct amount of water. Do not apply undiluted bleach directly to the skin. This can cause severe burns and is very harmful. Household bleach comes in different strengths, Here is guidance on how to prepare a bleach bath.

Applying ointment to your nostrils

Because staph bacteria tend to live in the nose, your doctor may advise you to apply an antibiotic ointment (such as fusidic acid ointment or mupirocin) to your nostrils 3 times a day for 7 days to help clear it up.

• Use a clean cotton bud for each application.
• Insert just enough so that the tip of the bud goes into the nose – about 1 cm – for each application
• Apply ointment fully around the inside surface of each nostril.

Longer course of antibiotics

Sometimes nasal ointment and antiseptic baths are not enough to get rid of staph skin infections for good. In such cases your doctor may give you a longer course of antibiotics (sometimes 1 week on, 3 weeks off for up to 6 months). Your doctor will give you clear instructions and a diary to help.

Practice good hygiene in your home

Have everyone in your home do these things:

• Clean scratches, insect bites or other wounds and cover them with a plaster.
• Wash and dry hands well and often, using water and soap or an alcohol-based gel sanitiser.
• Keep fingernails clean and short.
• Don't share towels, sheets, soaps, clothing, razors, make-up or other personal items.
• Throw away used razors.
• Change underwear every day.
• Have a bath or shower at least once a day.
• Treat any other skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis or athlete's foot (tinea).
• Make sure towels and clothes are dry before you use them

You should also regularly do these things in your home:

• Wash towels and sheets regularly in hot water and dry them well, or add a capful of bleach to the wash cycle.
• Clean bench tops, doorknobs, bathtubs and toilet seats often.
• Clean all hard surfaces, including bathrooms and floors, with detergent and water.
• Change towels and sheets once a week.
• Regularly vacuum carpets, rugs, mattresses and electric blankets.
• Wash pet bedding regularly, especially dog bedding.
• Wash and dry your child's sports clothing after each match.

Learn more

The following links provide further information about stopping staph skin infections. Be aware that websites from other countries may have information that differs from New Zealand recommendations.

Bleach baths – how to give your child a bleach bath Plunket, NZ
Staphylococcal infections (staph) Plunket, NZ
Staphylococcal infections The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Australia
Staph infection NHS, UK
Staph infections Nemours KidsHealth
When and how to use bleach baths for your child with eczema KidsHealth NZ

References

1. Bleach baths in patients with skin infections Dermnet NZ, 2015
2. Managing skin infections in Māori and Pacific families BPAC, NZ, 2012
3. Staphylococcal skin infection DermNet NZ, 2015

Reviewed by

	Dr Arna Letica has worked as a GP for over 13 years, with particular interests in women's and children's health. She is currently focusing on non-clinical roles, including working as a medical assessor.

Resources

Support

PhoneHealthline for free on 0800 611 116 any time of the day or night for advice on any health issue, no matter how small. In an emergency, phone 111 for an ambulance.

Brochures

Related topics

Hand washing

Skin infections

Skin infections in children

MRSA – methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

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Source: https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/s/staph-infections-recurring/

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