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Staph infections are caused by bacteria called staphylococcus. They most often affect the skin. They can go away on their own, but sometimes they need to be treated with antibiotics.
Symptoms of a staph skin infection can include:
This is often a boil or carbuncle (cluster of boils).
Read about boils and carbuncles and abscesses.
This could be an infection called cellulitis.
This could be impetigo, which often affects the face.
It also sometimes affects other parts of the body.
A red, swollen eyelid could be a stye.
If your eye is affected, it could be conjunctivitis.
Read more about styes and conjunctivitis.
Redness affecting the skin or eyelids may be harder to see on darker or black skin.
Staph bacteria can also cause more serious infections, like blood poisoning and toxic shock syndrome. These are much less common than skin infections.
You might need antibiotics to treat the infection.
Also see a GP if you keep getting staph infections.
The bacteria that cause staph infections live harmlessly on many people's skin, often in the nose and armpits and on the buttocks.
They usually only cause an infection if they get into the skin – for example, through a bite or cut.
Staph bacteria can spread to others through:
It can be difficult to prevent staph infections because many people have the bacteria on their skin.
But there are things you can do to reduce your chances of getting an infection or spreading the bacteria to others.
wash your hands with soap and water regularly
keep your skin clean by having a bath or shower every day
keep any cuts clean and covered
use disposable tissues to blow your nose
do not share towels, washcloths, bed linen, toothbrushes and razors
