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Staph infection

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.

Check if you have a staph skin infection

Symptoms of a staph skin infection can include:

A painful red lump or bump on the skin
Picture of a boil on the skin
This is often a boil or carbuncle (cluster of boils).
Picture of an abscess
It could also be an abscess (build-up of pus).

Read about boils and carbuncles and abscesses.

Hot, red and swollen skin
Picture of cellulitis
This could be an infection called cellulitis.

Read more about cellulitis

Sores, crusts or blisters
Picture of impetigo on the face
This could be impetigo, which often affects the face.
Picture of impetigo on the hand
It also sometimes affects other parts of the body.

Read more about impetigo

Sore, red eyelids or eyes
Picture of a stye on the upper eyelid
A red, swollen eyelid could be a stye.
Picture of conjunctivitis in the eye
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.

Information:

Staph bacteria can also cause more serious infections, like blood poisoning and toxic shock syndrome. These are much less common than skin infections.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if you think you have a staph skin infection and:

  • it's getting worse or spreading quickly
  • it lasts more than a week
  • you have a weakened immune system – for example, you have had an organ transplant or you're having chemotherapy

You might need antibiotics to treat the infection.

Also see a GP if you keep getting staph infections.

How staph infections are spread

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:

You cannot always prevent staph infections

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.

Do

  • 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

Don’t

  • do not share towels, washcloths, bed linen, toothbrushes and razors

Page last reviewed: 10 June 2021
Next review due: 10 June 2024