What is Staph Infection?

What is Staph Infection?

Staphylococcus (commonly called as Staph) is a group of bacteria that causes a multitude of skin infections among humans. Over 30 different types of Staphylococci can infect humans, but most infections are caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococci can be found normally in the nose and on the skin (and less commonly in other locations) of 20%-30% of healthy adults. These Staph Skin Infections range from minor ones requiring no medication to quite severe ones.
The Staph Infection often begins with a small cut, abrasion or crack which gets infected by the Staphylococcus bacteria. The severity of the skin infection depends on how fast and how deep the bacteria spread and whether the infection is treatable with antibiotics or not. Folliculitis
An infection of the hair follicles that causes small white headed boils on the skin. This often starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing, blockage of the follicle, or shaving.

Boils
Localized skin infections that run deeper within hair follicles that leave swollen, red, painful lump in the skin.

Styes or Hordeolum
Infection of the follicle surrounding the eyelashes that causes pimple-like sores on eyelids.

Impetigo
Generally affects the skin around mouth and nose, causes red sores which develop into blisters. While Impetigo skin infection is most common among children, contact sports athletes are also susceptible.

Abscess
An infection of skin that causes localized collection of pus accompanied by inlammation of the infected area. This may appear on any part of the bidy.

What are the Symptoms and Signs of a Staph infection?

Staph infections range from a simple boil to antibiotic resistant infections to flesh-eating infections. This makes it imperative to identify the infection in the early stages and opt for the correct treatment.

Most commonly the infection starts with a noticeable redness, swelling and pain in the affected area. Sometimes it begins with a skin sore or a localized collection of pus, known as an abscess, boil, or furuncle. As the severity increases the patient may develop fever.

What are the causes of Staph Infection on the Skin?

The Staphylococcus bacteria naturally reside on the human body. Whenever there is damage to the skin in form of a cut or abrasion the bacteria may enter the wound. As the bacteria overcome the natural protective mechanisms of the body it leads to the Staph Skin Infections.
People with weak immune system or already having skin problems like burns or eczema are more susceptible to the infection.

How to Prevent Staph Infection?

Good Hygiene is the best way to protect yourself from staph infection. People who are otherwise healthy typically do not usually become severely ill from staph infections, but those at special risk, who have weakened immune systems.

Staph Infection Prevention and Treatment with Defense Soap

As a fighter or sports person you need to sanitize your skin regularly. However using synthetic chemicals to cleanse your skin before you train is not the right option. The bacteria on your skin are your natural protection when you are training. Using products that contain triclosan, alcohol or other chemicals before you train makes you more susceptible to Staph skin infections by killing the protection that nature has provided for you.

The Defense Soap Advantage

Defense Soap does not contain synthetic chemicals. Instead, it is formulated with 100% natural essential oils. These essential oils are known to have very powerful antibacterial, antiviral properties. Yet, they do not destroy all of the skin’s natural bacteria, as chemicals will. The healthy bacteria left behind continue to flourish and allow the skin to continue to protect itself from harmful pathogens.

Secondly, using soap as the delivery method makes perfect sense. Soap can penetrate every part of your body easily, simply, quickly and economically.

Treatment and Prevention of Skin Infections in Wrestlers

The sport of wrestling is very tactile. With every move and every throw comes the risk of obtaining skin infections. The danger of skin infections is a growing concern among wrestlers, parents, coaches, and officials. Prevention and early diagnosis is very important.
One of the most important things to remember is proper hygiene. Athletes are encouraged to shower immediately after wrestling practice or competition. When showering, it is important to use a mesh scrub with a soap like Defense Soap. This aids in removing any unwanted bacteria and infections the athlete might have picked up during skin to skin contact 1 . Another important prevention technique is to thoroughly clean and disinfect all wrestling mats as well as equipment, including all uniforms and towels1, after every use. Athletes should also be discouraged from sharing such items as unwashed towels and uniforms even shoes and headgear. Following proper hygiene practices and thorough disinfection techniques can greatly decrease the risk of obtaining skin infections among wrestlers.

When prevention is not enough it is important to get treatment of skin infections at the first sign of the infection. The key to this is to know what to look for. Some common types of skin infections found in wrestling include ring worm, herpes simplex, staphylococcus infection (staph infection), and impetigo.

The most common infection found in wrestling is Tinea Corporis, also know as ring worm. Tinea Corporis is actually a fungal infection and not a worm, as the name implies. This skin infection appears red and scaly in a ring formation with a clear center. Ring worm is highly contagious and can develop in many different areas of the body including the feet (Athletes foot), the groin (jock itch), face or trunk (ring worm), the scalp, and in the nail beds

Herpes simplex is another common infection and, just as ring worm, is an extremely contagious virus. Herpes is a viral infection and often appears as a fever blister, genital herpes, or herpes gladiatorum, which can be found on the face or the trunk of the body. It enters the body through a break in the skin such ad a cut or mat burn. Herpes present itself as a fluid filled blister on top of red skin. Once the blister breaks open it appears with a crusty painful scab. There is no cure for the herpes virus but treatments include Valtrex and prophylactic medications. Wrestling guidelines state that wrestlers may not participate in practice or competition until they are asymptomatic, without a new blister for 3 days, or if the athlete has taken medication for at least 5 days.

A growing infection that has been spreading through out high school and college locker rooms more recently is staphylococcus infection or staph infection. A recent problem that doctors have found with staph is that some strands have become resistant to antibiotic treatment; this is known as Methicillian Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). What was once confined to hospitals is now creeping into high school and college locker rooms around the country. Staph infection is most commonly spread though skin to skin contact but can also be transmitted through sports equipment, work out areas, and unwashed towels and uniforms. It first appears as a pimple or ant bite. The wound site will quickly grow to a painful boil that if not cared for will eventually bust open producing a bloody puss like substance that is highly contagious. Staph is very serious and if not treated in the early stages may require hospitalization4. It is vital that weight rooms, wrestling rooms, and athletic training rooms be thoroughly sanitized if there is any suspicion of staph infection to prevent further spread. Athletes can not be permitted to engage in activity until they have been declared infection free by a doctor.

Impetigo is yet another common infection found in wrestlers. It is a highly contagious bacterial infection obtained through broken skin such as cuts and scraps. There are two types of impetigo; bullous and nonbullous 2 . Bullous impetigo appears as damp red skin that resembles a burn that develops into a blister, filled with a clear or yellow fluid. Nonbullous impetigo, which is the more commonly seen, presents with a yellow honey colored crust over a red base. Impetigo is most commonly found on the face, arms, legs, and trunk. Treatment consists of a topical antibiotic such as bactroban. This should be applied to the affected area three times per day for ten days or until the infection is gone. For large areas of infection an oral medication can be taken. Athletes with impetigo infections may not participate until all blisters and lesion are completely cleared.

The most important things to remember are to practice proper hygiene immediately after every practice or competition using hot water and Defense Soap keeping practice areas including weight rooms and equipment properly disinfected, and never to share used towels, equipment, and uniforms with out proper washing. It is always easier to prevent infections from occurring than it is to contract and then treat them.