Staph Infection in Nose

Staphylococcus is a common bacteria that is found on the skin and in the nose of healthy people. The name comes from a Greek word staphyle that means bunch of grapes and kokkos that means berry. Staphylococci appears like a bunch of grapes or berries, when observed under a microscope. These gram positive bacteria are facultative anaerobic organisms. They are present as the normal flora in the noses of about 20-28% adults.

There over 30 different types of Staphylococci that can cause infections in humans. The most infectious of them all is Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria normally do not cause infections or diseases when living on the skin or in the nose. Staphylococci are opportunistic pathogens that cause skin disorders when they gain entry into the body tissues through cuts, wounds or damage to the skin. This means, even though you have staph colonizing the areas of the nose, they may most probably lead to an infection in an area far away from the nasal passage.

Although, these bacteria may lead to a skin infection in most cases, there are many staph infections that affect the nose. Impetigo, furuncles and carbuncles are common staph infections of the nose. Let us know more about the staph infection symptoms in the nose.

Symptoms of Staph Infections in Nose
The most common symptoms of nasal staph infection include itchy and painful cuts on the nose. The other symptoms include furuncles and carbuncles that are small to large-sized boils. The staphylococci grow under the skin and cause these boils. The symptoms of staph infection are characterized by bumps under the skin that are reddish in color. The boil continues to grow due to pus formation. The boil finally ruptures and the pus drains out. Furuncles are generally smaller boils and heal within one to two weeks. Carbuncles are generally clusters of boils that take longer to heal and may lead to serious infections.

Impetigo is another staph infection that develops near the nose and the mouth. It is generally observed in children between 2-6 years. Teens and adults may also develop impetigo. The symptoms of impetigo, which include the formation of honey colored scabs due to dried serum. The scabs are thin-walled vesicles pustules that rupture draining out pus.

An active immune system will try to fight off the infection. Thus, leading to a yellow or green mucus discharge from the nose and throat. A person may feel stuffy, feverish and even have pain in the nasal passages. If the staph infection spreads to the sinuses, it leads to headache, pressure around the forehead and other sinus cavities along with fever. The infection may also spread to the face, neck, chest and even further down the back. One observes the sudden appearance of painful, red pimples with pus. In serious conditions, it may lead to a pus filled abscess. Staph infection can turn into a grave disease if it leads to meningitis, bacteremia, pneumonia, endocarditis, etc.

Are Nasal Staph Infections Contagious?
Yes, nasal staph infections are extremely infectious and can spread one person to other. Also, if you have staph in and around your nose, they can spread to other parts of your body. This means, if you touch your nose and then touch any other part of the body with cuts and bruises, the bacteria can spread. Once it gains entry into the broken skin, it begins to cause an infection. This the reason, many medical procedures are avoided, till a Staph infection is under control.

How to Get Rid of a Nasal Staph Infection?
Nasal infections caused by staph are contagious and can spread through use of common towels, tissues, handkerchiefs, etc. It is important to maintain proper hygiene and wash hands scrupulously with disinfectants. Avoid close contacts with people who are suffering from staph infections.

In case you are suffering from cuts in nose, apply Vaseline inside the nose. It should be applied twice a day for 10 days. The standard treatment for nasal staph infections include use of antibiotic ointments. These over-the-counter ointments can help get rid of the nasal staph infection. Many times these infections do not subside for over a year. Doctors may suggest use of medicinal honey that contains antibacterial properties that may inhibit further growth of Staphylococcus. Abscesses can also be drained surgically. The doctor may decide on an antibiotic staph infection treatment after referring to the culture results in the laboratory. The highly resistant strains or serious infections are treated with intravenous antibiotics.

Well, if you are suffering from a nasal infection and observe the above symptoms, then visit a medical practitioner to decide whether you are suffering from staph infection in nose. It is important to curb the infection when mild. Or else it may lead to some serious health complications.