Staphylococcus aureus infection or staph infection as it is commonly known occurs when staph bacteria enter the body through bruised skin infecting skin and blood. The staphylococcus bacteria usually reside on the outer skin, nose and genitals not affecting the person normally. But a cut or wound on the skin might lead bacterial strains to enter skin and bloodstream causing serious infections. It results in redness, swelling, itching, pus-filled boils and painful rashes on the body affecting face and neck the most. An even grave infection can affect blood, bones, heart and lungs causing
pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is another strain of staph bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics and cannot be treated by medication easily.
Staph infection is extremely contagious and is spread by direct skin contact with the infected person and objects.
What Causes Staph Infection?
Staph bacteria enter through a cut or bruised skin. Direct skin contact with staph bacteria can be due to various factors such as:
Contact with infected person’s exposed skin
Using infected objects, towels, clothes, utensils, etc
Drug abuse - injecting infected needles
Low immunity due to any medical condition
Using an internal medical device such as catheter, feeding tube or fitted artificial joint
Sharing gym and sports equipment
Long duration of hospital stay
All these may result in serious staph infection on skin and other body organs.
Staphylococcus infection is generally treated by antibiotic medicines, however, in recent times bacteria are getting more and more resistant to different antibiotics posing a difficulty in treating the infection. The MRSA strain of staph bacteria is hard to treat with antibiotics. Thus, it is extremely important to learn about home-based natural remedies for staph infection.
Home Remedies for Staph Infection
Turmeric: Turmeric is an excellent antibiotic and anti-inflammatory food product effective in curbing staph infection. A tonic made of turmeric powder mixed with black pepper, water and coconut oil taken several times a day is helpful in curing the infection. Turmeric powder mixed with lime powder and water can also be applied as a paste on the affected area to reduce the pain and redness. It dries up the pus in the blister and reduces infection.
Coconut oil: Coconut oil has a lasting soothing effect on blistered and itchy skin. Its antibacterial properties help in reducing infection and healing skin gently. Apply a dab of coconut oil on blisters for cooling effect and faster cure.
Apple cider vinegar: It is shown to have anti-bacterial and antifungal properties that effectively help lessen infection. Cotton soaked in apple cider vinegar applied over an infected region or mix with baking soda and apply it as a paste to rapidly reduce pain and discomfort. A mixture of apple cider vinegar in honey and water if consumed two to three times a day help alleviate the pain and eliminate the infection.
Tea tree oil: Another bactericidal herb is tea tree. Its oil decreases the growth of bacteria reducing the effects of staph infection. A mixture of tea tree oil and honey is efficient in preventing growing staph bacteria and soothing boils. Apply a few drops of tea tree oil to help reduce pain and itching due to staph infection on face.
Castor oil: Castor oil shows improved healing in staph infection as a result of its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. It provides warmth to infected areas drying out the pus and relieving pain. Apply some warm castor oil with a cotton swab on the wound and cover it lightly with bandage or flannel cloth. This will give necessary warmth to the wound and fasten healing.
Basil: Basil is a proven preventive against numerous infections. Daily intake of few basil leaves in tea is recommended to keep infections away. Fresh basil leaves extracted into juice is applied on the affected area to cure staph infection. It helps reduce various symptoms related to staph infection such as redness, itching and prevent it from increasing. Basil oil is also effective in treating the infection.
Eucalyptus oil: Eucalyptus yields oil rich in terpenoids such as eucalyptol and cineole which are antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and expectorant in nature. Such a therapeutic profile makes it a potent treatment against a wide range of bacteria. It is considered as a good broad-spectrum antiseptic herb for antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA. Prepare a tea by boiling a few drops of eucalyptus oil in water and drink it 2 times a day to cure staph infection or apply it directly over the affected area.
Goldenseal: Leaves of goldenseal show antibiotic properties helpful in treating various infections and related symptoms. It is also effective against staph infection, boils and impetigo. Wash the infected area with goldenseal powder mixed with water several times in a day to lessen pain and discomfort.
Witch hazel: Witch hazel is anti-bacterial and antimicrobial in nature having anti-inflammatory properties. It also acts as an astringent which sterilizes the skin preventing further bacterial infection. Apply witch hazel mixed with water to infected area for relief from redness, bursting blisters and pain. Regular witch hazel bath prevents microbial infections and keeps skin healthy.
These home remedies are beneficial in treating staph infection and reducing its symptoms. They lessen pain and prevent bacterial growth naturally and are effective even against
antibiotic-resistant strains like MRSA on which most antibiotics fail to act. Try out these easy and simple home remedies for staph infection.
