What Is a Staph Infection? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention - Everyday Health

Staph infections are caused by a type of bacteria called staphylococcus. These germs can live on your skin, in your mouth, or in your nose.

There are more than 30 types of staph bacteria, but the most common is Staphylococcus aureus, according to MedlinePlus. (1) About 30 percent of healthy adults have S. aureus in their nose, and about 20 percent have it on their skin, notes the Merck Manual. (2)

Most of the time, staph doesn't cause a problem. But if the bacteria spreads deeper into your body, you can develop a serious, or even life-threatening, infection.

Types of Staph Infections

There are two types of staph infections, broadly speaking: skin infections and invasive infections. Skin infections are much more common, and most of the time, less serious, although they can be annoying and painful. But they can develop into invasive infections if they're left untreated. Invasive staph infections can be life-threatening if they're not managed properly, notes the Mayo Clinic. (3)

Cellulitis, Impetigo, and Other Skin Infections Caused by Staph

Some examples of skin infections that can be caused by staph include:

Folliculitis In folliculitis, the hair follicles (the small pockets in the skin where strands of hair grow) become inflamed and often infected. Men with curly hair who shave their beard close to the skin often get folliculitis on the face and neck.

Stye A stye is a small, red, very painful bump that grows from the base of an eyelash or under the eyelid. There's usually visible pus in the center of the bump.

Boils Boils are red, swollen, painful lumps that form under the skin. They usually start as an infected hair follicle that enlarges and fills with pus — bacteria, white blood cells, and dead skin. Boils, also called furuncles, often occur on the face, neck, armpits, buttocks, or inner thighs. A cluster of boils that form a connected area of infection is called a carbuncle.

Skin Abscess A skin abscess is a pocket of pus surrounded by a thick membrane under the skin. Abscesses form when the body tries to protect itself from an infection by walling it off. Cutting a hole in the wall of the abscess with a surgical knife and draining the pus is the only real way to treat an abscess.

Cellulitis Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of the skin, including the dermis, or second layer of skin, and the subcutaneous tissue, or fat and connective tissue that form the bottom layer of skin. Cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body but most commonly affects the lower legs.

Impetigo This common and highly contagious staph infection begins as small blisters, usually on the face, hands, or feet, that eventually develop a honey-colored crust. Impetigo usually affects young children, but anyone can develop it.

Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS) This condition is caused by toxins produced by a staph infection and results in peeling skin over large areas of the body. The skin might look burned or scalded. It most often affects babies and young children.

Wound Infections These infections usually crop up two or more days after you've had a skin injury or surgery. (1,2,3)

Learn More About Cellulitis

Learn More About Impetigo

Invasive Staph Infections

Invasive staph infections happen when bacteria enter the bloodstream. Some types are:

Sepsis Sepsis is an infection of the bloodstream that leads to a widespread inflammatory response. It's one of the most dangerous outcomes of staph and can spread throughout your body, affecting the function of internal organs.

Septic Arthritis This infection targets your joints, often the knees, hips, shoulders, finger joints, or toe joints.

Toxic Shock Syndrome This rare but serious condition can happen when staph bacteria get into your bloodstream and produce toxins. Toxic shock syndrome has been linked to the use of high-absorbency tampons, but anyone, including men, children, and women who don't use tampons, can develop it under the right circumstances.

Endocarditis Endocarditis happens when bacteria affect areas in your heart, most typically the heart valves. If it's not treated quickly, the infection can damage or destroy your heart valves.

Osteomyelitis This uncommon but serious condition happens when a bone in your body becomes infected.

Pyomyositis Pyomyositis is a rare bacterial infection of the skeletal muscles, which are the muscles you use for movement.

Pneumonia Pneumonia is a common infection that causes inflammation and fluid accumulation in the air sacs of your lungs, making it very hard to breathe comfortably.

Food Poisoning Food poisoning connected to staph is caused by eating foods contaminated by toxins that are produced by the bacteria. It is not a true bacterial infection and should not be treated with antibiotics. Foods typically becomes contaminated by being touched by people who have staph on their hands. (1,2,3)

Drug-Resistant Infections: MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph infection that's resistant to commonly used antibiotics, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. (4)

Most cases of MRSA occur in people who've been in hospitals or other healthcare facilities. But so-called community-associated MRSA, in which the infection is spread outside of hospitals or healthcare facilities, also occurs.

Overuse and misuse of antibiotics are contributors to the development of MRSA. On an individual level, you can help prevent and control the spread of antibiotic resistance by taking antibiotics only when necessary (not for viral infections like the flu or colds) and when they are prescribed to you by a doctor.

Also, always finish your full course of antibiotics, even if your symptoms have improved, to prevent the development of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, such as MRSA.

Learn More About MRSA Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

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