Staph infection on the skin are highly common. They are caused by the staphylococcus bacteria. Most everyone has a small amount of this bacteria on their skin at all times, which means that it’s mostly harmless. However, if the bacteria build up (usually due to poor hygiene), then the bacteria can cause a staph infection on the skin. Luckily, there are dozens of home remedies for staph infections.

Causes

The staphylococcus bacteria is highly contagious. This means that it can be easily spread from person to person. The most type of staphylococcus bacteria is staphylococcus aureus, which will be the focus of this article. The most common way to get staph infections on the skin is to come in contact with someone who already has it. This can include sharing food or drinks, kissing or oral or sexual touching, sharing clothing, or generally being in close contact with someone who has a staph infection. Breastfeeding mothers can also pass staph infections onto their children.

 

Symptoms

Minor to mild staph infections mostly affect the skin, so it makes sense that most of the early symptoms are first seen on the skin. Below are some of the most common symptoms of staph infections.

• Red bumps that appear similar to acne
• Boils (may or may not pus)
• Blisters
• Fever or chills
• Dry skin
• Skin inflammation
• Rash
• Joint pain and swelling
• Cellulitis (skin infection)

 

Home Remedies for Staph Infections on the Skin

It is best to treat a staph infection of the skin as soon as you begin to notice the symptoms. If left untreated, staph infections on the skin can lead to more serious complications, including pneumonia, toxic shock syndrome, low blood pressure, mastitis, impetigo, and even heart failure. Try some of the home remedies for a staph infection on the skin to treat your ailment.

1. Plain Yogurt

Yogurt can be used in two ways to treat the symptoms of staph infections on the skin. One way to use plain unsweetened yogurt is to rub it directly on the affected areas. Of course, make sure to wash your skin and dry it before putting it on your skin. Once the yogurt is applied, leave it on your skin for twenty minutes before rinsing it off. This can help to speed up the healing of the sores.

Another way to use yogurt to treat staph infections is to simply eat it. This works because yogurt is filled with good bacteria that can help to kill the bad bacteria that causes the staph infection. Eat three cups of yogurt a day until your infection is cleared up.

 

2. Garlic

Garlic is a natural antibiotic that can help to kill the staph infection from the inside of your body. To use this home remedy, all you need to do is add more garlic to your diet. Try adding two to three cloves of garlic in your diet daily to get the best results. The garlic can be eaten cooked or raw.

3. Honey

Honey can be used in the same way that yogurt can be used– both internally and externally. To use the honey directly on the skin, wash and dry the affected areas and put on enough honey to cover the affected areas. Wait for about fifteen minutes before rinsing off the honey.

The other home remedy solution is to simply eat more honey. Like garlic, this home remedy works because honey is also antibiotic. Eat a few tablespoons of honey a day until your staph infection clears up.

 

4. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a type of essential oil that can help to kill the bacteria that causes the staph infection on the skin. To use this home remedy, you can do one of two things. The first thing you can try is to add eight to ten drops of tea tree oil into a warm bath. Soak in this bath for twenty to thirty minutes to get the full effect of the oil. As a bonus, this bath also helps to clean the body.

Another way to use tea tree oil is to rub it on the sores. However, it is extremely important to dilute the oil before putting it on the skin, as not doing this can make the sores worse. So, dilute the tea tree oil in a carrier oil (coconut oil, almond oil, olive oil, etc.) and then rub it on cleaned sores. Do this every day until the sores are healed.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can also help to kill the staphylococcus bacteria. To use this home remedy, fill a bath with warm water. Add in two cups of apple cider vinegar. Soak in this bath for at least twenty minutes to get the full effects. Do this once a day until your staph infection has healed.

 

6. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can help to treat both the boils and dry skin that often come with staph infections on the skin. To use the coconut oil, wash and dry the affected area. Afterward, liberally apply the coconut oil (in solid or liquid form) on the skin. Do this up to three times each day to get the best results.

 

7. Ginger

Ginger is a spice that has great anti-inflammatory capabilities. By adding garlic to your meals, you can reduce the swelling that often comes as a symptom as a staph infection. To use this home remedy, you can either simply add ginger to your meals, drink ginger beer (non-alcoholic), ginger ale, or ginger tea.

 

8. Echinacea

Echinacea is a herb that can be used in supplement form or in a tea. This herb works much in the same way that garlic does. To use this home remedy, simply take echinacea tablets (as directed on the package) or drink echinacea tea daily to reduce your staph infection symptoms.

9. Oregano or Oregano Essential Oil

Both oregano and oregano oil both help to stop the infection in its tracks. However, these ingredients are used in different ways. Raw or dried oregano can be added to meals or taken as a tea.

Oregano oil can be added to the skin to heal the body from the outside. To use this home remedy, mix a couple of drops of oregano essential oil to a tablespoon or two of a carrier oil. Carrier oils include coconut oil, jojoba oil, and olive oil. Add this to the skin up to twice a day to see results.

 

10. Basil or Basil Essential Oil

Basil and basil essential oil can be used in the same way(s) as oregano and oregano essential oil. The other differing tip is that dried basil works better as a tea than fresh basil. Other than that, they can be used in the exact same way with the same effects.

 

11. Cloves

Cloves are usually used in Indian foods and desserts to add an extra boost of flavor to recipes, but did you know that they can also work to ease the inflammation that is often common in patients with a staph infection? To use this home remedy, bake with cloves, add cloves to your meals, or drink clove tea on a regular basis.

 

12. Goldenseal

Goldenseal is another herb that is used to treat staph infections on the skin. The most common ways to take goldenseal is via supplements or tea. Use either of these methods as directed on their packaging to fight off staph infection and its symptoms.

13. Avoid Processed Foods

Eating too many processed foods can make it so your immune system can’t work as hard as it should to fight off infections, like a staph infection. Eating too many processed foods can also make inflammation worse. Some foods to avoid include fast food, junk food, chips, candy, soda, and microwave meals.

14. Eat Less Sugar

Just like processed foods, eating too much sugar can also make inflammation and your immune system worse. Until your staph infection clears up, it’s best to avoid adding sugar to teas (use honey instead), and avoid eating sweets, bakery, and candy.

 

15. Zinc

Taking in enough zinc can help to boost the immune system. When a person has a high immune system, they have a better chance of fighting off infections. Taking zinc supplements or eating foods that are rich in zinc can help. Some foods that are rich in zinc include seafood, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, and most other foods that are also high in protein.

 

16. Vitamin C

Taking in enough taking C can also help to boost the immune system. As a bonus, many of the foods that contain vitamin C are also chock-full of antioxidants. To take in more of this vitamin, you can either take supplements or eat foods naturally containing vitamin C. Most fruits contain this vitamin, with berries and citrus fruits being some of the best.

17. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is another healthy vitamin to take in when you are trying to cure a staph infection. The foods which contain this vitamin are often filled with antioxidants, which can help to cure the body faster. To use this home remedy, take vitamin D supplements or eat more foods containing vitamin D, like dairy products.

 

18. Calendula

Calendula is a herbal remedy that works well for fighting staph infections on the skin. There are a variety of ways in which this home remedy for a staph infection can be used. One way is to drink calendula tea. Taking calendula supplements can also help.

 

19. Elderberry

Berries were mentioned in this article earlier but elderberries stand out as being one of the best fruits to keep in mind when trying to find a good home remedy for a staph infection. One of the most popular ways to use this home remedy is to eat elderberry syrup. Buy this at health stores and use it as directed to get the best results.

20. Bone Broth

Bone broth makes a great base for many soups and a great home remedy for a staph infection. It works so well because it contains a number of vitamins and minerals. Drink at least a cup of bone broth a day to get the best results.

For a recipe for bone broth, check out this recipe from Epicurious.

 

21. Omega-3

Omega-3 is a natural healthy fatty acid that can help to boost the immune system. To prevent or treat a staph infection, take omega-3 supplements or eat foods with the fatty acid. Seafood, nuts, and seeds are the most common foods that are high in omega-3.

22. Bathe Often

Bathing often can both help to treat and prevent staph infections on the skin. If you have a staph infection, make sure to take a bath or shower every day to clean your body. If you are simply trying to prevent a staph infection, you can instead shower or bathe every other day.

 

23. Avoid Scented Hygiene Products

Staying clean is important and some soaps can help you with that better than others. It’s best to avoid scented soaps when you have a staph infection. This is because these soaps are more likely to irritate the skin more than unscented soaps, which can make the infection worse.  If you can, use soaps that are made for sensitive skin.

 

24. No Sharing!

Staph infections on the skin can be contagious! If you have a staph infection, make sure not to share any of your personal hygiene products, towels, or clothes with another person. If you do, they may also contract the infection. If you know someone who has a staph infection, do not use their hygiene products, towels, or clothes.

 

25. Cover Sores

Another way to keep the infection from spreading (and to encourage it to heal faster) is to cover the sores. To do this, simply put bandages over any sores, cuts, boils, or blisters that you may have. Replace the old bandages with clean ones every day to keep the area as clean as possible.

26. Turmeric

Turmeric is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory spice. By eating more of this spice, you can reduce the swelling of your skin and speed up the healing process. Add turmeric powder to your meals to take in more of this helpful spice.

27. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is also anti-inflammatory. To use this oil, mix two drops of the essential oil with one tablespoon of a carrier oil (coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, etc.). Make enough of this mixture to cover the affected area. Rub the oil mix on any inflamed areas of your skin. Do this up to three times a day to get relief from your staph infection symptoms.

 

28. Witch Hazel Gel

Witch hazel gel is famous for its soothing properties. Using it as a home remedy for a staph infection is also simple. All you have to do is rub some of this gel on your skin. Use this home remedy up to four times a day to get relief from your symptoms.

 

29. Tulsi Leaves

Tulsi leaves can also provide some relief from staph infection symptoms. To use this home remedy for a staph infection, gather enough tulsi leaves to cover the affected area. Boil the leaves to sanitize them and to heat them. Then, take them out of the water to allow them to cool until they are cool enough (but still warm) to put on your skin. Let the leaves stay on the affected minutes until the heat from them is lost. Do this as often as needed to treat your symptoms.

 

30. Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver is another home remedy that can help to ease the irritation that often comes with staph infections. Rub the silver on your skin in the affected area. For more information on dosage, read the label on the packaging.

To learn more about treating the boils that are commonly a symptom of staph infections on the skin, read our article that is all about boils: 25 Home Remedies for Boils.

 

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/staph-infections/symptoms-causes/syc-20356221

https://www.medicinenet.com/staph_infection/article.htm#what_are_the_symptoms_and_signs_of_a_staph_infection

https://articles.mercola.com/staph-infection/treatment.aspx

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321108.php

https://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-staph-infection.html/3

https://www.curejoy.com/content/natural-treatment-for-staph-infection/

https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/beef-bone-broth-51260700

Staph infection picture by Wikimedia user Mangostar.