Is It Possible to Prevent Staph Infections? How Long Is a Staph Infection Contagious?
Staph bacteria are frequently present in healthy humans. Areas where the bacteria can be found include the sebaceous (sweat) glands, nose, and other skin areas. Because of this colonization of healthy people, it is almost impossible to prevent contact with the bacteria. Most staph bacteria are transmitted by person-to-person contact, but viable staph on surfaces of clothing, sinks, and other objects can contact skin and cause infections. As long as a person has an active infection, the organisms are contagious. However, reducing risk factors such as skin scratches, abrasions, or puncture wounds -- or if they occur, immediately cleaning and treating them appropriately with antibacterial compounds -- helps prevent staph and other types of infections.
Home remedies like good hygiene, especially hand washing, prevents many infections. Individuals who live in crowded or unsanitary conditions, play contact sports, or share towels or clothing have a higher risk of getting staph infections. Individuals who work in hospitals can reduce their infection risk by wearing protective garments (for example, masks, gloves, and gowns). Any conditions that suppress a person's immune response create a higher risk for infection. Hospitalized people have a high risk of infection because of skin penetration by such things as intravenous lines, surgical incision sites, and implanted devices. Keeping penetrated skin sites clean and protected (covered with sterile dressings) helps prevent infections.
Home remedies for staph infections are numerous and can be found easily on the Internet. One such article offers 17 home remedies for staph infections on the face, leg, and other body parts. Home remedies range from using colloidal silver to items such as tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, onions, sea salt, and many others. Although many are listed, most sources of this information do not supply data to show effectiveness in treating staph infections or symptoms of staph infections. Anecdotal reports are the basis of most of these home remedies. Before trying such home remedies to treat staph infections, individuals should discuss their use with their doctor.