Staph Infection In Babies: Causes, Symptoms, And Home Remedies

Newborn babies are easily prone to a lot of infections. This can be life threatening in some cases as well. Certain germs are commonly found on the skin or in the nose of the babies. One of the infections is known as a Staph infection.

Staph infection is the condition in which the bacteria or germs are commonly found on the skin or nose of the baby. There are almost 40 types of infections but the most common among them is staphylococcus.

In this article, you will get to have a fair share of knowledge about what is a staph infection and the various home remedies to get rid of staph infection in babies.

What Is Staph Infection In Babies?

Staph is known as Staphylococcus (R), which is one type of bacteria. This bacterium affects the area of skin, nose, and genital, the mouth of the babies or toddlers. When the skin is punctured or broken, the bacteria can enter the wound and can cause infection.

There are certain skin infections that are limited to a small area of skin, like folliculitis, boils, impetigo, and cellulitis. The staph infection is also known as MRSA which is described as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The staph infection (R) was first reported in humans more than 40 years ago. In some cases, it can be cured with antibiotics, but it can also become serious if it affects beyond the point of cure. In that case, you need the guidance of a doctor.

Staph is one of the most common causes of skin infections and can do lead to cause serious wound infections.

Staph infections can lead to more serious diseases like pneumonia, abscesses, bone infection, joint infection (arthritis), and a number of skin infections such as impetigo, pimples, boils.

“Infection can vary from simple skin infections to serious life-threatening blood, bone-joint, or heart infections,” said Dr. Antonio Arrieta, a clinical professor in the University of California-Irvine department of pediatrics and division chief of infectious diseases at Children’s Hospital of Orange County in California.

[Read: Skin Tags in Children]

Sign And Symptoms Of Staph Infection:

The sign and symptoms of staph infection in babies are as follows-

• swelling around the wound
• a wound that fails to completely heal
• fever
• redness and heat around the wound
• yellow-coloured crusting (scabs) and weeping.
• High or low body temperature
• Unusual fast or slow heartbeat

How To Identify MRSA in Children?

It is spread through skin to skin contact. At about one in three (R) people carry staph infection without on their skin without even being aware of it. Two people out of 100 carry the resistant strain that leads to MRSA.

In some cases, it can be cured with antibiotics, but it can also become serious when it affects more.

If you find the condition getting worse rather than the opposite of it, it is best suggested that you do focus on seeing a doctor.

It can appear anywhere in the body as I mentioned above. There are certain early symptoms that we should observe in babies with staph infection including-

• a bump that is red, swollen, and hot
• a bump that is painful, possibly only when touched
• skin around a sore that is warm or hot
• boil full of pus.
• an abscess, which is a larger boil
• a sore that looks like a spider bite
• bumps under the skin that are swollen and hard
• a bump that does not heal

What Causes Staph Infection In Toddlers?

Sometimes it is really tough to figure out the exact causes of staph infection in babies. At about 30-50 percent of people have the staph bacteria on their skin without expressing it into a disease. This does happen only when it enters through a wound or open skin.

Normally it only develops in the elderly and the very sick people or those who have an open wound. As per the studies, healthy people are more at risk of developing this condition.

Staph infection can be spread through skin to a skin infection. It is said that you might not even be affected when in the same room as the infected person. A good hand can also prevent the spread of staph infection from one to another.

Is Staph Infection Contagious In BABIES?

As per the research and studies, the staph infection is contagious until the infection is resolved.

It is spread through direct contact with an infected sore or wound. Casual contact such as kissing or hugging does not have a great impact on the risk of transmission. If there is no direct contact with the infected area, you are pretty much safe.

There are certain staph infections that are caused by food positioning or toxic shock syndrome. This causes the diseases by producing toxin.

Home Remedies For Staph Infection In Babies:

There are certain natural ways through which you can get rid of staph infection in babies including-

1. Turmeric:

Turmeric is regarded as one of the best natural herbs. It has tremendous effects on a lot of skin allergies or bacterial infection in the babies. It is rich in anti-inflammatory properties as well.

As per the 2016 study, (R) turmeric can effectively fight Staphylococcus and Streptococcus better than other herbs.

All You Need:

• Turmeric
• Water
• Coconut Water

How To Do:

1. Take two tablespoon of turmeric
2. In it add some coconut oil and water and make a thick paste of it.
3. Apply to the affected area and leave for 10 -15 mins
4. Then wash it off.

Or

1. Mixed the turmeric powder with lime powder and water and apply the paste on the affected area to reduce the pain and redness.

How Often:

• Do it several times in a day

2. Ginger:

Ginger is another root that has been in use from history. It is rich in antibacterial properties that may be used against bacterial infections caused by Staphylococcus bacteria as per the 2012 study. (R)

All You Need:

• 1 inch of sliced ginger
• 1 cup of water

How To Do:

1. Add an inch of ginger to a cup of water.
2. Bring it to a boil in a saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Strain and drink the tea.

Or

1. You can also juice ginger root and make a poultice from the juice and apply at the affected area of infection.

How Often:

• Drink this 1-2 times daily.

3. Cranberry Juice:

The antibacterial potential of cranberry juice work wonders against staphylococcus infections.  (R)

All You Need:

• 1 ½ cups of cranberry juice

What To Do:

1. Take some cranberries and make juice of it.

How Often:

• Drink this juice once daily.

4. Aloe-Vera:

Aloe vera possesses antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus bacteria, helping get rid of the pain and discomfort. These activities may be used to treat staph infections. It is also used to cure the dryness and itching.

All You Need:

• Aloe-vera
• water

How To Do:

1. Take two-three aloe vera leaves
2. Extract the gel from it
3. Add few drops of water and make a thick paste
4. Apply it to the affected area of skin
5. Keep it for 10-15 mins
6. Then wash it off

Or

1. You can try an ointment containing a high amount of aloe extract in case you don’t have aloe-vera.

How Often

• Do this once daily for the best results

5. Garlic:

Garlic is one of the natural home remedies that is used to fight staph infection naturally in babies. The garlic extract suppress the bacteria that cause staph infection.

As per the 2011 study, (R) it was said that garlic has effective properties in the lab against Staphylococcus. It also enhances the antimicrobial activity of antibiotics used on methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus.

All You Need:

• 2-3 garlic cloves

How To Do:

1. Peel the garlic cloves and
2. Crush them.
3. Add them to your favorite salads and dishes.

or

1. You can also chew on the garlic cloves directly.

How Often:

• Do it once in a day.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar:

The antimicrobial properties of apple cider vinegar help to eliminate microbes like staphylococcus bacterial infection. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties help to lessen the infection.

All You Need:

• 1 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup of water

How To Do:

1. Add a tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar to a glass of water. Mix well.
2. Consume this mixture daily.

or

1. Take a cotton and deep into the apple cider vinegar
2. Apply this solution topically for skin infections.
3. Leave it for 10-15 mins.
4. Wash it off.

How Often:

• Do it once in a day.

7. Basil Oil:

Basil oil has powerful inhibitory effects on the microbes caused by the staph infection in babies. This is a great way to treat staph infection in babies naturally. There are many studies that have proven that basil oil or leaves have treated numerous infection.

All You Need:

• 2-3 drops of basil oil
• 2 teaspoons of any carrier oil

How To Do:

1. Add two to three drops of basil oil to two teaspoons of any carrier oil like coconut oil, castor oil, etc
2. Mix well and apply it to the affected skin area.
3. Leave it on overnight.
4. Then rinse it off the next morning with water.

How Often:

• Do it once in a day.

8. Tea Tree Oil:

This oil is one of the most important essential oils that are used for treating several of the skin diseases. The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of tea tree oil can help treat skin infections.

It is one of the best natural remedies to get rid of staph infection in babies.

All You Need:

• 2-3 drops of tea tree oil.2 teaspoons of coconut oil.

How To Do:

1. Add two to three drops of tea tree oil to two teaspoons of coconut oil or any essential oil.
2. Mix well and apply the mixture to the infected area.
3. Leave it on overnight.
4. Then rinse it off the next morning.

How Often:

• Do this once daily.

9. Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil is always best recommended for the skin affected by infection. No matter if it is for the babies or adults. It is too great for blistered and itching skin.

If nothing works, coconut oil works as its antibacterial properties help in reducing infection and healing skin gently.

All You Need:

• 2-3 drops of Coconut oil.

How To Do:

1. Add two to three drops or two teaspoons of coconut oil.
2. Mix well and apply the mixture to the infected area.
3. Leave it on overnight.
4. Then rinse it off the next morning.

How Often:

• Do it daily until you see changes on your infected skin.

10. Castor Oil:

Castor oil has a significant healing effect on staph infection. It is rich in anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This provides warmth to infected areas by drying out the pus and relieving pain.

All You Need:

• Castor oil
• Cotton balls

How To Do:

1. Apply some warm castor oil with a cotton swab on the wound and cover it lightly with bandage or flannel cloth.

How Often:

• Do it twice a day.

11. Honey:

Honey has a lot of medicinal values and purpose. This is one of the easiest and safest ways to fight staph infection naturally in babies. This is a traditional way of treatment that has been followed from generation to generation.

As per the 2016 study, (R) honey is loaded with antimicrobial properties which help with the skin infection.

All You Need:

• Manuka Honey or raw honey

How To Do:

1. Take some raw honey
2. Apply it to the affected area
3. Leave it for 10-15 mins
4. Wash it off

How Often:

• Do it 2-3 times a week.

12. Goldenseal:

Goldenseal is rich in antibiotic properties and is helpful in treating various infections related to skin. It is also effective against staph infection, boils and impetigo. Goldenseal exhibits antimicrobial properties against Methicillin-resistant.

All You Need:

• teaspoon of goldenseal tea
• 1 cup of hot water

How To Do:

1. Add a teaspoon of goldenseal tea to a cup of hot water.
2. Steep for 5 minutes and strain.
3. Drink the warm tea.

How Often:

• Take it one or two times in a day.

13. Oregano Oil:

Oregano oil is best as it has bactericidal activity on some strains of Staphylococcus bacteria. This may be used to treat wound associated skin infections in babies.

You Will Need:

• 2-3 drops of oregano oil
• 2 teaspoons of coconut oil

How To Do:

1. Add two to three drops of oregano oil to two teaspoons of any carrier oil such as coconut oil.
2. Mix well and apply the mixture to the affected area.
3. Leave it on overnight.
4. Then rinse it off the next morning.

How Often:

• Do this once daily.

14. Probiotics:

Probiotic lactobacillus is another way to get rid of staph infection in babies as it exhibits immune-regulatory activities. This helps in eliminating staphylococcus infections from the babies as well as adults.

All You Need:

• Probiotic supplement

How To Do:

1. Take any probiotic supplement daily.
2. Before taking any additional probiotic supplements, confirm with your doctor.

How Often:

• Take this once daily.

How Long Is Staph Infection Contagious?

A staph infection is contagious as long as the infected person has an active infection. It also depends upon the type of infection and the ways it is treated.

The treatment may speed up the healing process. Normally, it goes away in about 10-15 days.

How To Prevent Staph Infection In Toddler?

There are certain precautions you can take care in order to get rid of staph infection in babies including:

1. Wash Your Hands

You should be very careful while washing hands. It is one of the best ways to deal with germs. Wash your hands briskly for at least 20 seconds as per many studies and researches, it is said that the same is the minimum time to get rid of the germs in the hands.

Once you are done with washing your hands, dry them with a disposable towel and use another towel to turn off the faucet. An alternative way is that you can also use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol.

2. Keep Wounds Covered

It is very much important for the babies suffering from staph infection to keep cuts and abrasions clean. It should also be covered with sterile, dry bandages until they heal. One of the symptoms as I mentioned above is the fact that pus can be formed from the infection. So, wound should always be cleaned and covered to further prevent the spreading of the infection.

3. Reduce Tampon Risks

This is another disease that is caused by staph bacteria known as toxic shock syndrome. Leaving the tampons in for long periods of time may lead to formed staph bacteria.

You can reduce the chances of getting toxic shock syndrome by changing your tampon frequently. You can do that by every four to eight hours time gap. Try alternating the tampons with sanitary napkins whenever possible.

4. Keep Personal Items Personal

Try to avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sheets, razors, clothing and athletic equipment with others. As per the studies, staph infections can spread from objects also as well as from person to person. So, it is best to abstain from sharing personal items.

5. Wash Clothing and Bedding In Hot Water

Staph bacteria can survive on clothing and bedding which isn’t properly washed. To get bacteria off clothing and sheets, wash them in hot water whenever possible. It is said that drying in the dryer is a better option than air-drying.

6. Take Food Safety Precautions

Wash your hands before handling food or feeding your baby. If you keep the food out for a while, make sure that hot foods stay hot above 140 F (60 C) and that cold food stays at 40 F (4.4 C) or below. Refrigerate leftovers as soon as possible.

When To See A Doctor For Staph Infection?

In some case, it can be cured with antibiotics, but it can also become serious if the condition is severe. In that case, you need the guidance of a doctor.

If the babies receive early treatments, then it may remain as a mild skin infection, but if it is untreated, it may make the child seriously ill and might also lead to death of the baby.

As per an 2017 study, (R) 232 cases of MRSA in people aged 18 years or younger were admitted to one of three hospitals in the United States.

It is very necessary and important to consult a doctor right away when you see any of the above symptoms as I mentioned. Consult a doctor if you witness any of the symptoms like:

• Infected with sore or a fever
• Chills or a headache
• A rash

You can also call the doctor:-

• If the infection doesn’t go away after 10-15 days
• If the infection is passing from one family members to another
• If the child has serious wounds

Staph is known as Staphylococcus which is one type of bacteria. This bacterium affects in the area of skin, nose, and genital, the mouth of the babies or toddlers. I hope this article has given you a good amount of knowledge about the staph infection and the various natural remedies to get rid of staph infection in babies.