Right now at this very second, you’re living in close quarters with bacteria that can cause serious damage to your skin or give you an aching fever. It is estimated that 25% of healthy individuals live with the bacteria called “staphylococcus” on their skin.
In fact staphylococcus aureus as it’s known in full, is typically found in the skin, hair, nose, and mouth of many people. Staph infections are common and very troublesome. Many are confused as to what a staph infection may look like, or what it is at all. BlackDoctor did the research for you and here’s what we found.
What is a Staph Infection?
Staph infections are caused by the staphylococcus bacteria. This bacteria is generally found in the skin, nose, mouth or hair of individuals. Typically these bacteria cause no problems other than minor skin infections, but it can breach other important parts of the body and create havoc.
Staph infections are the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections such as cellulitis, furuncles, and boils. This bacteria is usually harmless but can cause harmful infections such as pneumonia, joint infections, and bloodstream contamination.
How Do You Get Staph Infections?
The bacteria is most often transmitted through
contaminated hands. While the skin and mucous membranes typically guard the body against the dangers of staph, if breached it can cause infections to the bloodstream or tissues. People with compromised immune systems or who have invasive medical devices are especially vulnerable to this infection.
Duration
Some people live with this bacteria colonized on their skin and never get an infection. These infections can take days and even years to fully develop. Many of the skin infections you can get from a staph infection don’t require medical attention and will heal within weeks. However, some require incisions, antibiotics or maybe even draining of the areas affected which may take longer than a few weeks.
How to Prevent Staph Infections
1. Wash your hands briskly for at least 20 seconds and dry them thoroughly with a disposable towel. If possible, use another clean towel to turn the faucet off and turn the door handle. Staph can live in very extreme environments. Safeguard yourself while you’re out in the public and at home. If you’re unable to wash your hands in a sink, hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol is okay to use.
2. Keep your open wounds covered. Always use clean, sterile and dry bandages on your wounds. Keep them covered until they heal because infected sores contain staph bacteria. The puss inside of
them contains the bacteria, and left unprotected can spread the infection easily.
3. Use the lowest absorbency tampon and alternate tampons with sanitary napkins whenever you can. Toxic shock syndrome is caused by staph bacteria. Try to change your tampon every four to eight hours.
4. Do Not Share Personal Items. Items such as razors, clothing, gym equipment, towels, sheets and toiletry items should be kept personal. These items are very personal and increase the risk of spreading staph to one another.
5. Wash Your Laundry in Hot Water. When your clothes aren’t properly washed staph bacteria thrives. Be sure to use bleach on bleach-safe materials.
6. Practice Food Safety. Always wash your hands before handling food. The summer is here, so that means bbq and good times. If you’re going to serve hot food make sure it stays hot and above 140 degrees Fahrenheit and that cold food stays cold 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Please refrigerate any food that isn’t being used immediately.
Daunte Henderson, founder of the MADEMAN Foundation, author, and educator based in Chicago. You can follow him at @brotherhenderson on IG
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