Have you ever felt the pain from the lower skin swelling? That might be the symptom of a Staph rash caused by bacteria. Worse than this, it’s easily spread from one person to another rapidly if you don’t know how to treat it correctly. Luckily, there are many amazing home remedies for Staph Infection that can help you avoid any bad reaction and side effect.

Before exploring what they are, let’s find out how people carry such a bacteria on the surface of their skin, and whether it causes any further problem or not.   

What is Staph Infection?

This Infection is caused by bacteria called staphylococcus which can be found usually in the noses or on the skin of healthy people^[1][2]. The infection happens when those bacteria penetrate into the body and invade the organs such heart, lungs, bones, and joints. For such reasons, the Staph infection can be fatal for even healthy people who get caught up.

According to the experts, based on the severity of the infection, its speed of spreading and condition would be attached to a boil, an antibiotic-resistant infection to a flesh-eating type. And these infections are often found in North America region due to the antibiotics overuse.

Among them, Cellulitis is a sort of Staph infection that goes with our skin and affects the deeper skin layers. This condition can become more serious in anyone who has a weak immune system.

Luckily, such a condition can be cured with antibiotics. The common treatment will be using antibiotics as well as drainage on the affected parts. However, recently there are infections which common antibiotics are not capable of dealing.

In this case, are there other good home remedies for Staph infection? Sure enough, there are many ways you can use to feel better, and before discovering them, let’s learn what might lead to this infection!

What causes Staph Infection?

Iron deficiency  

Nutritional deficiency is a common condition of Staph infection. It means that you lack the iron in your blood, which doesn’t trigger the anemia but also the infection. Also, such a deficiency might lead to your drier skin, causing you to be more prone to other cuts or wounds. And Staph germ would use them as the entrance to the bloodstream.  

Weak immune system

Having a weak immune system due to the use of medications for a long time or the autoimmune illness is trusted to raise the risk of getting a Staph infection. It’s because your immune system won’t be able to compete against the bacteria influx.

Invasive medical equipment

If you have to be hospitalized for a long time, there’s a higher risk that you’re easily infected with a more powerful variant of Staph germ known as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). It’s a bit frightening to know that MRSA can break in your system while you’re still recovering from your surgery.

Doing so potentially causes the Staphylococcal infections by letting it enter through different invasive tools that are inserted into your system. They consist of feeding or breathing tubes and the urinary catheters.

Overuse of alcohol

Chronic use of alcohol is another risk factor involved in this. It’s reported to lead to malabsorption – a health condition where your guts find it hard to absorb any nutrient from the food. Consequently, the nutrient deficiency will occur after that!

Keep in mind that your complexion is in need of Vitamins A, B1, B2, C, iron, and zinc so that your body is kept as healthy as always. Lacking them, you’re prone to a higher risk of growing skin and Staph infections at the same time.

Skin-to-skin contact  

The infection can be contagious from one part to another by the mean of touching. In other words, the germs are spread whenever you touch anything that owns the Staph bacteria. It happens as we tend to share our stuff or supplies with one another.

It’s so true! The bacteria of staph infection can survive on inanimate objects such as razors, bed linens, towels or pillow for a long time before transferring to others who come in contact.

If it happens, then how do those germs enter our skin? It’s because the bacteria always nest on the skin, there are high chances that the infection can spread from abrasions, cuts, pimples or even skin-to-skin contact.

Hot and dry environment

Apart from that, it easily goes through an extreme environment such as extreme dry or hot weather or even saltiest environment. Therefore, the excessive sweating can be a reason increasing your chances of growing a Staph infection.

In reality, a lot of healthy people own Staph on their skin, from their noses to other body areas. As always, the germ here won’t cause any clear infection symptom, and those who have it are said to be the carriers. This, they can spread Staph bacteria to others.

Since they spread deeper and even impact our blood, joints, or bones, not to mention how the lungs or heart can be affected as well, some home remedies for Staph infection should be applied.

But who are the most likely to be threatened? Well, there are quite many, from the athletes, school students, military personnel to anyone who has got the medical care recently. For greater clarity, read more below:  

What are the Symptoms of Staph Infection?

The symptoms vary on multiple levels from mild to as severe as life-threatening depended on the location of the infections.

For infections on skin, there are symptoms such as:

• Boils: Those are the most common which are small sacs of pus appear on oil gland or hair follicle with swollen and red skin around them. Pus will drain out if those are busted and you can often see them on your buttocks or groin.
• Impetigo: this pain rash is contagious and often brings on blisters which contain fluid and might develop crust.
• Cellulitis: This is the infection which happens beyond the first layer of skin that swelling and redness on the surface. Ulcers and discharge of ooze might occur and this infection is often observed on the feet and lower legs.
• Staphylococcal Scalding Skin: Toxins from staph infections are the caused for this symptom. Infants and children are the most vulnerable and they usually develop fever and rash with blisters. Occasionally, the blister will bust which will cause the first layer of skin to be peeled off and make the area look like burn.

Symptoms of staph infections can be from food poisoning such as:

• Vomit and nausea
• Diarrhea with dehydration
• Low level of blood pressure

Bacteremia:

This is the staph infection happened in the blood^[3]. You will experience low level of blood pressure with fever. Due to the bacteria invade the bloodstream, this infection can affect various organs such heart and lungs, even brain. Muscles and bones, even artificial joints or cardiac pacemakers are prone to this type of infection.

Toxic Shock:

These staph infection’s symptoms are developed due to infections from surgery, cuts on skin and even tampons. This can be fatal and severe with symptoms such as:

• High fever with nausea and vomit
• Rash on palms and sunburn-look-alike soles
• Confusion and aches in muscles
• Pain in abdomen and diarrhea

Septic Arthritis:

This type of infection is often observed on joints such as wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, ankle or spine, especially on the knee. You will experience fever with swelling and sometimes severe pain at joints.

If so, then how long does it take for your Staph skin infection to heal? Well, it depends on the type of infection and whether you get any treatment for it or not. For instance, a particular boil might take about 10 or even 20 days to fully heal without being treated.

But sure enough, treatment is believed to speed up your entire recovery process. Most infections will certainly go away on their own though it could take many days.

20 Best home remedies for Staph Infection

Here are the top 20 most effective remedies for staph infection which are easy for you to apply at home that can assist you in improving the healing process as well as preventing the infections from reoccurring.

1. Tea Tree Oil

Tee tree oil is listed as one of the best home remedies for staph infection. The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties from tea tree oil can effectively relieve uncomfortable symptoms of infections on the skin as well as improve the healing^[4].

How to use:

• Moisten a cotton swab and drop some oil on it. Directly apply on the affected area. After couples of hour, cleanse it off.
• Make a mixture from a teaspoon of Aloe Vera gel with some drops of oil and a little bit of honey. Directly apply onto the affected area. After couples of hour, cleanse it off.
• Perform those remedies for 1 to 2 times per day until there are positive changes.

Note: Avoid consuming the oil due to its side effects. You can find out more at: Home Remedies for Tinea Versicolor and Scar Removal.

2. Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is a helpful tip as compared to other home remedies for Staph infection. The antibacterial as well as healing properties from this New Zealand honey can help sterilize the infected part and improve the healing as well as prevent infections from coming back[6].

How to use:

• Directly apply some honey to the affected area.
• After couples of the hour, cleanse it off.
• Perform couples of time per day until there are positive changes.

For more information about the applications of manuka honey, please read Home Remedies for warts.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is extremely good for treating staph infection. The anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties of the vinegar are effective at promoting quick healing as well as strengthening your immunity to control bacteria[8].

How to use:

• Make a solution from vinegar and water in equal amount. Cleanse the affected area using this solution for 1 to 2 times per day.
• Take 1 to 2 tablespoons of vinegar with some honey into a cup of warm water and consume twice per day.

This vinegar is extremely popular among these home remedies for Staph infection as it can treat and heal numerous problems and diseases. You can find out more at Home Remedies for Amebiasis, Bursitis and Increase Stamina and Energy.

4. Turmeric

Containing various properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial, turmeric makes it become one of the most trusted home remedies for staph infection. It can help you improve your immune system in order to efficiently control bacteria and infections^[9].

How to use:

• Directly apply the powder onto the affected area for couples of time per day.
• Put a teaspoon of powder into 4 cup of boiling water. After simmering for about 10 minutes, have it strained and consume 2 to 3 times per day.
• Take turmeric supplementary pills after consulting the doctor.

5. Garlic

The question on how to treat a staph infection is no longer hard to say thanks to garlic. Like other great home remedies for Staph infection, its antibiotic property is excellent at easing symptoms of staph infections. Besides, it does such a good job in strengthening your immunity to fight off bacteria.

How to use:

• Have the affected area cleansed and apply some garlic oil. Cover using a bandage and remove after couples of the hour. Perform twice per day for couples of day.
• Other options are added garlic to your cooking daily or consume some cloves of garlic daily when your stomach is empty
• Take garlic supplementary pills after consulting the doctor.

You might want to know how garlic is beneficial for your health.

6. Oregano Oil

Also possessing antibiotic property, it is considered as powerful as other traditional antibiotics in treating staph infections. So that means you can use it the same as the rest of our home remedies for Staph infection.

How to use:

• Mix about ten drops of oregano oil with two tablespoons of any carrier oil such as olive. Directly apply the mixture to the affected area for couples of the hour before cleansing. Perform couples of time per day.
• Another option is to take few drops of oregano oil into fruit juice or water and consume twice per day for couples of the week.

Note: Avoid using on women who are pregnant.

7. Goldenseal

What makes goldenseal becomes among greatest home remedies for staph infection comes from the antiseptic and antibacterial properties found in berberine compound. It can help you disinfect the affected area, eliminate the bacteria as well as improve your immunity.

How to use:

• Take 1 to 2 teaspoons of goldenseal into a glass of hot water.
• After 20 minutes, have it strained and apply onto the skin using a cotton ball.
• Perform 2 to 3 times per day for couples of week.

8. Echinacea

Unlike some other home remedies for Staph infection, Echinacea has been availed as a treatment for centuries. The anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and immune-stimulant properties of Echinacea can effectively sooth the symptoms as well as promote quick healing[10].

How to use:

• Directly apply ointment or cream onto the affected area for couples of time per day.
• Consume 1 to 2 glasses of Echinacea tea daily.
• Take Echinacea supplementary pills after consulting the doctor.

Note: Avoid using for people with autoimmune disorders.

Find another health benefit of Echinacea at Home remedies for chickenpox.

9. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil, like the remaining home remedies for the Staph infection, has been found to own strong effects that are mainly used to cure skin infections.

They’re the well-known anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties as well as the medium-chain fatty acids. These agents are excellent at eliminating bacteria and relieve you from any discomforts of the infections.

How to use:

• Apply some oil to the affected area and massage to improve the absorption.
• After couples of the hour, cleanse it off.
• Perform couples of time per day until there are positive changes.
• Another option is consuming some coconut oil directly.

10. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil can be used the same as other amazing home remedies for Staph infection due to its fragrant and helpful characteristics. The strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties are extremely effective against diseases with the antibiotic-resistant characteristic.

How to use:

• Mix some eucalyptus oil with any carrier oil such as almond or olive.
• Directly apply this mixture to the affected area.
• After couples of the hour, cleanse it off.
• Perform twice per day for couples of day.

11. Castor Oil

Also containing excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, castor oil is proven to be significantly effective in in staph infection treatment by cleansing pus and easing swelling and pain.

How to use:

• Warm up some oil and directly apply on the affected area.
• Use a piece of warm flannel cloth to cover.
• Perform 3 times per day.

12. Bitter Gourd

Various essential nutrients from bitter gourd can improve your immunity as well as enhance your immune system.

Thereby, it is another good home remedies for staph infection that should not be looked down on.

How to use:

• Have 2 bitter gourds grated, grinded and extracted for the juice.
• Directly apply the juice onto the affected area as well as consume the juice when your stomach is empty.

13. Witch Hazel

Among the 22 home remedies for Staph infection, this herb is excellent for soothing symptoms of staph infections such as easing the inflammation. You can take some witch hazel into the water and use it to cleanse the affected area on a regular basis.

How to use:

• Create a mixture of Witch Hazel and water to make a good paste.
• Apply that paste to your infected skin area and repeat the routine daily for better results.

14. Ginger

Another herb out of the best home remedies for Staph infection is basil. Every common method is extracting juice from basil leaves and applying onto the affected area. Other options can be using basil oil instead or consuming basil tea.

15. Basil

Another herb which can be excellent for treating staph infections is basil. Most common method is extracting juice from basil leaves and applying onto the affected area. Other options can be using basil oil instead or consuming basil tea.

16. Onion

Whenever staph infection disturbs you, take your time and find onion – one of the most amazing home remedies for Staph infection!

Just like garlic, onion has the same effects on your general health thanks to its container of antiviral, antiseptic and antibacterial properties that accommodate the patients with fungi, bacteria and another microbe’s removal. In case of staph infection treatment, here are some of the following steps you can handily do at home:

How to use:

• Cut an onion into thick slices
• Place those slices over your boils
• Use a sterile bandage to wrap them
• Change the poultice every 4 hours until you can see those boils disappear

17. Nutmeg

Nutmeg contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which surely make it become one of the splendid home remedies for staph infection. The treatment works well for killing bacteria resulted in boils and other staph infections. Hence, it is strongly recommended to include nutmeg into your dishes on daily basis to get your immune system boosted. Regarding boil and open wound cures, you can make a paste by adding a nutmeg to some water. Then rubbing this paste over your affected skin and covering. Apart from that, you had better use the nutmeg powder and apply it to your affected skin areas. Remember to leave it open.

18. Sea Salt

Sea salt is widely known as among the simplest but most effective home remedies for staph infection. Sea salt is loaded with about 80 elements, which are extremely vital for the human body. Wounds and other skin infection can be accessibly treated by sea salt because of its hygroscopic nature. Also, it is usually used to alleviate the swelling. All you need to do is smearing it instantly to the wound. Besides, you can add some sea salt to the water for cleaning the wound. Another option is to use table salt rather than sea salt, in spite of the fact that this salt is not as effective as sea salt.

19. Sage Oil

If you are still seeking for staph infection at home, then sage oil can do you a favor. In details, the oil packs with some good healing agents that help ease the pain, accompanied with the pore size reduction. Plus, sage oil confers anti stringent and antiseptic properties, which makes it to regard as among natural home remedies for staph infection.

How to use:

• Rub the oil over your affected skin areas
• Perform the treatment two times per day for positive outcomes

20. Fenugreek Seeds

The presence of fenugreek seeds in top home remedies for staph infection affirms its effectiveness on our general health condition. Because of the anti-inflammatory agents present in fenugreek seeds, they can aid in reconciling your wound caused by staph infection. Apart from that, fenugreek seeds have proteins, vitamins, minerals and amino acids which provide your immune system with a boost.

How to use:

• Dip some fenugreek seeds in water in about two to three hours before taking them out
• Grind those seeds to create a fine paste
• Apply the paste over your staph infection and leave it on several hours
• Rinse it off with clean water
• Reapply the treatment two times daily

Also, you can opt for consume this paste directly.

21. Bitter melon  

Known as one of the most effective home remedies for the Staph infection, Bitter melon is surely another ideal option you need to consider. It owns the antiviral properties that will support in curing infections.

Also, bitter melon comprises about a wide range of active plant agents, including steroids, proteins, and triterpenes. These would power up your immune system to fight against your Staph infection.

How to use:

• Cut two bitter melons to grind them with a bit of water,
• Press the juice of the melon out before drinking it up when your stomach is still empty every morning.
• If not, feel free to apply this mixture to your infected skin area.

22. Plantain Root Juice  

The last but not least one out of other promising home remedies for Staph infection here is the Plantain Root. What you need to prepare is:

How to use:

• Slice a few plantain roots into little pieces before squeezing out its juice and throwing out the chaff away.
• Mix one bottle of plantain root juice with half of the bottle of honey. Try to have three spoonfuls of this mixture every day.  

Extra Tips:

• For the boils symptom, you can use warm compress to encourage the ripen process.
• Avoid touching affected area as it might worsen the conditions and slow down the healing.
• Keep a high level of hygiene in order to avoid spreading the infections within your body as well as to others.
• Cleanse your hands using sanitizer before eating.
• In case you are injured, sterilize and bandage the wound cleanly at all time.
• Avoid using personal stuff together with others.
• Wash your bed cover and clothes using hot water and dry using sunlight.
• Do not ever share your objects with others, such as your bed lines, razors, towels, clothing, and cosmetics.

For those who want to feel better or relieve the pain, you can soak your infected skin area in lukewarm water or simply apply the moist washcloths. Ensure to avail a clean cloth every time you do it. Try to wash any used cloth with soap and hot water before drying it out in the dryer.

If not, how about using a heating pad to apply to your skin? Let it stay here for 20 minutes, about 3 or 4 times per day.

How to prevent Staph infections in athletes?

If you’re an athlete who is going to start a new school year, it’s a must-do to be more mindful of these skin infections. MRSA is highly common in most athletes since the germs can spread through the skin-to-skin contact, or simply via other athletic tools and towels.

If you don’t treat it right, the MRSA will creep into your body soon and cause an infection. Here are the basic steps that should be taken to avoid this from happening:

• Cover your wounds with a hygiene bandage and never touch those of others.
• Wash all of your hands before and after playing sports.
• Taking a shower after your workout. And avoid sharing your soap or towels.  
• If you must share sports gears, then make sure to clean it up first with any antiseptic agent or only wipes. Always use a towel between your complexion and the gear.
• Stop using the sauna if you know that another person might get an open sore used it already. Simply use your towel or clothing as the barrier.
• Never share your splints or braces with other athletes.
• Ensure that your shared facilities to be clean. If they’re not, then take a bath at home.

Conclusion

As you know, Staph infection is caused when the bacteria enters our bloodstream and invade other internal organs. So to help you combat that dangerous germ, we’ve already shared the top 22 home remedies for Staph infection above. Hopefully, you can feel much better after using any of them instead of depending too much on the antibiotics.