What is a "Staph" infection?

Question

I was recently diagnosed with blepharitis, & I'm trying to find out how I got it. I've been reading other people's comments on this condition, & it seems like there may be more than one way to get this. Some people say you can get blepharitis from a staph infection. What is that, & how do you get a staph infection?

My symptoms are not severe, but they are persistant. My eyelids get itchy & swell up a little, I don't have any crusty stuff or other symptoms that people have listed. I'm seeing an optamologist now. He has me taking doxycycline capsules(antibiotic), patonol drops(antihistime helps itchiness), & restasis (increases tear production). I'm not even sure if I got this from a staph infection, but I think that if I figure out how I got it maybe I can learn how to get rid of it quicker. I've been having problems for 5 months now. Should I see a dermatologist too?

Answer 1

Staph:

Staph (pronounced "staff") is medical quick speak for staphylococcus aureus bacteria. This pesky little bacterium is very common (many people have some living on their skin all the time), but when it enters the human body, usually through an open cut or break in the skin, it can cause infection and trouble anywhere in the body. Staph infections tend to be pus-producing. Common minor (or relatively minor) skin infections caused by staph include:

Folliculitis
Infections of hair follicles that cause itchy white pus-filled bumps on the skin (often where people shave or have irritations from skin rubbing against clothes)

Boils
Infections deeper within hair follicles that leave large, frequently red inflammations (often occur on the face or neck)

Sties
Infection of the follicle surrounding the eyelashes, causing a sore red bump in the eyelid

Impetigo
The infection kids often get around their mouths and noses that causes blisters and red scabby skin

Abscesses
Infection characterized by pus and swelling that can occur in the skin and in any other organ.

Staph infection is also the leading culprit behind cases of food poisoning, and can be to blame for larger life threatening conditions, such as Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), pneumonia, bone infections (osteomyelitis), mastitis in nursing mothers, endocarditis (infection of the inside of the heart), and bacteremia (blood infection). People who are otherwise healthy typically do not usually become severely ill from staph infections, but those at special risk, who have weakened immune systems, include:

persons with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, lung disease, kidney disease, or HIV/AIDS
people with various skin conditions
the elderly
newborns
people recovering from major surgery
injection drug users (especially those who reuse needles)
people whose immune systems are weakened due to steroid use, radiation therapy, cancer treatment, immunosuppressive medications
women who are breastfeeding
Health care professionals can determine that staph (and not some other bacteria) is the cause of an infection by taking a culture (usually a swab from what looks like a giant Q-tip) from the infected site. Once staph has been diagnosed, the provider will prescribe antibiotics that are known to work on that specific strain of the bacteria. These antibiotics (usually either pills or creams applied to the infected body part) typically kill the bacteria and cure the infection within a week or two.

Hospitals are working to stamp out staph infections, in part because the majority of hospital patients fall into at least one "at-risk" category, but also because drug-resistant strains of staph (versions of the bacteria that aren't killed by one or more of the antibiotics that are commonly used to treat staph infections) are becoming an increasingly common threat. These drug-resistant strains of staph do not cause worse or different infections than non-resistant strains, but they can be much harder to treat because the most common (and easiest to use) antibiotics may not be effective. People with resistant staph infections may require hospitalization to receive antibiotics through an IV or by injection.

Because improper use of antibiotics can help produce resistance to drugs, making future infections much harder to treat, the American Medical Association recommends that patients:

follow the directions for any prescription exactly
take all of the medicine prescribed (even if one feels better after only a few days)
never save old, leftover prescriptions for future use
never take anyone else's prescription antibiotics
Other preventative measures are careful treatment of all skin conditions, including wound care after trauma or surgery, IV drug users taking precautions when injecting, and people with special risk factors being attentive to early symptoms of staph.

Blepharitis:

Blepharitis refers to inflammation of the eyelids, particularly at the lid margins. It's a common disorder and may be associated with a low-grade bacterial infection or a generalized skin condition.

Blepharitis occurs in two forms: anterior blepharitis and posterior blepharitis. Anterior blepharitis affects the outside front of the eyelid where the eyelashes are attached. The two most common causes are bacteria and scalp dandruff.

Posterior blepharitis affects the inner eyelid and is caused by problems with the oil (meibomian) glands in the eyelid. Two skin disorders are the cause: acne rosacea and scalp dandruff.

Blepharitis Symptoms and Signs
Regardless of which type of blepharitis you have, you will probably have such symptoms as eye irritation, burning, tearing, foreign body sensation, crusty debris (in the lashes, in the corner of the eyes or on the lids), dryness, and red eyelid margins.

It is important to see an eye doctor and get treatment. If your blepharitis is bacterial, possible long-term effects are thickened lid margins, dilated and visible capillaries, trichiasis, eyelash loss, ectropion and entropion. The lower third of the cornea may exhibit significant erosion.

Answer 2

Staph is a bacteria that causes an intense reaction with infection. It is quite painful and gross. Actually most people with a simple staph infection (the most common staph infection is called a boil) get it from the nose. Staph can live in the nostrils, and when a doctor has to treat someone for a boil, they often give them a prescription ointment to put in their nose (using a q-tip or equavalent) which will kill the staph in the nose. In addition to lancing the boil, packing it and giving them a prescription of antibiotics. Best of luck to you.

Answer 3

For treatment the top two companies that do manufacture the vancomycin antibiotic, taken by capsule and injection, annually net over 4 billion and 5 billion, respectively, with a combined rate of only 14% against MRSA.

The StaphWrap is a gauze bandage that uses 100% pure silver that acts as a natural anti-biotic healing wounds faster, eliminating bacteria. www.staphwrap.com

Answer 4

A stap infection is a micro organism that can enter the body through the eyes nose, or mouth. most people who work in the medical field tend to get this, or thats works in a hospital. most of the time people can also get it by being a patient in the hospital. it can happen because a nurse goes from one patient to the next and doesn't wash their hands.

Answer 5

You mean that disease and sickness is a punishment from a god, or a vehicle god uses to impart lessons? I think most theists are willing to accept germ theory as long as medicine works for them. It's only in despair that they turn to god instead of doctors.