Boils and Staph Infections-Complications

Home Treatment Works Well...

Fistulas, carbuncles and acne are just some of the many forms of boils affecting people.  These boils are most frequently the result of a bacterium called staphylococcus aureus, which is found on most people and is generally harmless.  That is, unless there is an opening in the skin where it can nest and cause infections and inflammation. Hair follicles which have been infected with staph bacteria usually end up as a boil of one sort or another.

Proper hygiene and effective, prompt home treatment can keep complications and problems in check.  However there are times when the infection does get out of hand and certain complications can arise from these infections.

But, Sometimes It Doesn't

It is possible for bacteria from a boil to find its way into the bloodstream and make a path to other areas in the body.  This spreading infection is known as blood poisoning or septicemia, and if left unchecked can become life-threatening.  There are immediate symptoms of blood poisoning such as a speeding heart rate, feeling violently ill, and chills and fever and these can lead quickly to shock.  The indicators of shock are falling body temperature and blood pressure, confusion, bleeding into the skin and clotting problems.  This medical emergency can be fatal if left untreated.

SSS - A Terrible Side-Effect

A staph infection can have a side effect which can be serious.  Scalded skin syndrome, caused by a protein produced by staphylococcus bacteria, is the loosening of the layers of skin from one another.  Blisters are able to form which slough off the top layer of dermis.  If this happens over a large portion of the body, it is similar in effect to having a serious burn.  Intravenous antibiotics are necessary for treatment and also to prevent dehydration should there be extensive peeling of the skin.  Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is more frequently seen in children; however it is not confined to that age group.

MRSA - What Is It?

MRSA, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, a type of drug-resistant staph infection, is also a dangerous complication of staphylococcus bacteria.  MRSA, while often appearing as mild infections which can be successfully treated, can also be very difficult to treat.  This type of infection can potentially progress to either life-threatening bone or blood infections since there are limited effective antibiotics available to treat MRSA.  MRSA is transmitted directly by physical contact or by touching infected items and is not airborne.  The US Centers for disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 12% of MRSA infections are now community-associated, although the percentage can vary.