Quick read
Key points
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Staphylococcus aureus, commonly called 'staph', is a type of bacteria that many people carry harmlessly on their skin or in their nose. It can cause infection if it enters the body through a cut, wound, or other break in the skin, ranging from minor skin infections to more serious illness.
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Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
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A wound or area of skin becomes increasingly red, swollen, warm, or painful
01 · Know
What is Staph infection?
Staphylococcus aureus, commonly called 'staph', is a type of bacteria that many people carry harmlessly on their skin or in their nose. It can cause infection if it enters the body through a cut, wound, or other break in the skin, ranging from minor skin infections to more serious illness.
Common staph skin infections include boils, abscesses, and cellulitis, causing redness, swelling, warmth, and pain. Most are straightforward to treat, though staph can occasionally cause more serious infections, particularly in the bloodstream.
02 · Understand
Clinical context
Self-care advice
See your GP promptly if a wound becomes increasingly red, swollen, or painful, or if you develop a fever alongside a skin infection.
03 · Act
When to see a doctor
- 1A wound or area of skin becomes increasingly red, swollen, warm, or painful
- 2You notice pus or discharge from a wound
- 3You develop a fever alongside a skin infection
- 4A skin infection is spreading rapidly
- 5You have a wound that isn't healing as expected
04 · Prevent & manage
Practical steps
Take these self-care steps
These measures can help ease symptoms, support recovery, and reduce the chance of things worsening — but they don't replace medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
- 1Keep wounds clean and covered.This helps prevent bacteria entering and reduces the risk of infection developing or spreading.
- 2Wash your hands regularly.Good hand hygiene, especially around wounds, reduces the spread of staph bacteria.
- 3Avoid squeezing or picking at boils.This can push the infection deeper or spread it to surrounding skin.
- 4Complete any prescribed antibiotics fully.Finishing the full course helps ensure the infection is completely cleared and reduces the risk of recurrence.
- 5Don't share personal items during an active infection.Avoid sharing towels, razors, or clothing to prevent spreading the infection to others.
Evidence
References
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
- HSE: Staph infection ↗
Medical information notice
Health education, not individual medical advice
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
BarnMD Bottom Line
Most staph skin infections respond well to simple treatment, including proper wound care and, when needed, antibiotics.
Redness that's spreading, alongside fever or increasing pain, are signs a staph infection needs prompt medical attention.