In particular, Staphylococcus aureus, both methicillin-resistant and -sensitive, are of concern in their ability to cause difficult skin and underlying tissue infections. Melaleuca alternifolia oil (tea tree oil), an essential oil, has demonstrated promising efficacy in treating these infections.
In vitro studies show that tea tree oil is capable of killing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a laboratory setting.
Antibiotics commonly prescribed to treat staph infections include cefazolin, nafcillin, oxacillin, vancomycin, daptomycin and linezolid. For serious staph infections, vancomycin may be required. This is because so many strains of staph bacteria have become resistant to other traditional antibiotics.
A combination of Citricidal and geranium oil showed the greatest-anti-bacterial effects against MRSA, whilst a combination of geranium and tea tree oil was most active against the methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (Oxford strain).
How to use: Mix a few drops of tea tree oil into a small amount of moisturizer or carrier oil. Apply this mixture to the affected areas immediately after getting out of the shower and at least once more each day.
Tea tree oil has been effective as an adjunctive therapy in treating osteomyelitis and infected chronic wounds in case studies and small clinical trials.
Often used for its widespread antiseptic and antimicrobial benefits, tea tree oil can be used on cuts, burns, abrasions and boils. It can also be effective in treating certain kinds of staph infections.
Most small staph skin infections can be treated at home: Soak the affected area in warm water or apply warm, moist washcloths. Use a cloth or towel only once when you soak or clean an area of infected skin. Then, wash them in soap and hot water and dry them fully in a clothes dryer.
Keep wounds covered.
Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with sterile, dry bandages until they heal. The pus from infected sores often contains staph bacteria. Keeping wounds covered will help keep the bacteria from spreading.
Yes. Many staph skin infections may be treated by draining the abscess or boil and may not require antibiotics. Drainage of skin boils or abscesses should only be done by a healthcare provider.
You may use warm compresses to “ripen” the abscess, but DO NOT try to pop or puncture the abscess yourself. If your abscess is not draining on its own, your doctor may help the pus to drain through a small incision. Sometimes cotton gauze is also packed inside the abscess cavity to draw out the pus.
DEALING WITH STAPH OR MRSA SKIN INFECTIONS:
Always use an unscented moisturizer on your body to prevent dry skin. During these times you can use cleanser around the wound areas if your body's skin becomes too dry or irritated. avoid spreading the infection through wound contact with your bath towel.
Most people can use tea tree oil topically with no problems. However, tea tree oil can cause: Skin irritation. Allergic skin rash (dermatitis)
Alternative Remedies Some people apply substances with reported antimicrobial properties, such as tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, eucalyptus essential oil, oregano essential oil, and others to skin infections to help them heal.
Mupirocin (Centany) Mupirocin is a topical medication used to treat moderate-to-severe small skin infections, such as impetigo or a "Staph" infection of the skin. It comes in a cream or ointment that's applied onto your skin, and it has very few side effects.
Staph infections are caused by bacteria called staphylococcus. They most often affect the skin. They can go away on their own, but sometimes they need to be treated with antibiotics.
Are you embarrassed, or believe it's just a cut that won't heal or a rash that won't go away? Think again. Although most staph infections may not be severe, you still want to seek medical attention. Staph infection can become deadly if not properly treated, by entering your bloodstream or organs.
Recurrent infections occur in nearly half of all patients with S. aureus SSTI. Epidemiologic and environmental factors, such as exposure to health care, age, household contacts with S. aureus SSTI, and contaminated household fomites are associated with recurrence.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can survive on some surfaces, like towels, razors, furniture, and athletic equipment for hours, days, or even weeks.
Any suspicious area of red or painful skin. A high fever or fever accompanying skin symptoms. Pus-filled blisters. Two or more family members who have been diagnosed with a staph infection.
Each case of staph infection is different, but most often staph will resolve in 1-3 weeks. Once you complete your antibiotic treatment, you'll no longer be contagious, but you should keep any skin infection clean and covered until it is completely gone.
If you are using tea tree oil to treat a nail fungal infection, dilute it in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. (Aim for a ratio of two to three drops of tea tree oil to 15 to 20 drops of carrier oil.)
Tea tree oil should never be consumed and is considered to be extremely hazardous — it becomes toxic when swallowed. According to the American Cancer Society, if you ingest the oil you may become confused or drowsy. They've reported cases of hallucinations, comas, severe rashes, weakness and vomiting.
Tea tree oil heals cuts and scabs faster.