Staphylococcus aureus(S. aureusor staph) is a bacterium that lives on the skin.
Staph causes millions of skin and soft tissue infections yearly, including lip infections.
The bacteria enter through a cut or wound around the lips and infect the surrounding tissue.
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Staph can also travel to other organs via the bloodstream.
Although most staph infections are treatable, they can be deadly if not handled quickly.
This article will discuss the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment for staph infections on the lip.
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Staph Infection Symptoms
Staph infections can cause mild to severe side effects.
If the bacteria infect the joints orbones,it can cause pain.
Coughing and shortness of breath could indicatestaph pneumonia.
What Does a Staph Infection on the Lips Look Like?
A staph infection of the lip can start as a small, red bump.
This immune response causes the bump to become inflamed, tender, and filled withpus.
Eventually, the bump may rupture, causing the fluid to drain out and the area to crust over.
If left untreated, staph may travel to the bloodstream resulting in a blood infection calledbacteremia.
Staph Infection Causes
Any opening in the skin increases the susceptibility to a staph infection.
As the bacteria invade the tissue, it colonizes and spreads.
How Common Are Staph Infections?
Diagnosis
Staph infections are diagnosed based on what body system could be infected.
Your healthcare provider will take a special swab and collect drainage or tissue from the site of infection.
The swab is then sent to a laboratory for testing.
It can take up to 72 hours for a result.
However, nearly 20,000 people died from staph bacteremia in 2017.
Complications of a lip staph infection occur when the bacteria infects the blood and other organs.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the severity of the infection.
Uncomplicated staph infections may improve over time by simply keeping the area clean and dry.
There are also medicated creams and gels that can be applied topically to the infected area.
Prevention
Despite best efforts, staph infections can recur, especially if it’s MRSA.
Summary
Staph is a bacteria that causes skin and soft tissue infections in millions of people yearly.
When staph enters the skin around the lips through a cut or crack, it colonizes and spreads.
A staph infection of the lip may resolve by keeping the area clean and dry.
However, more severe cases may require an oral or intravenous antibiotic.
A Word From Verywell
Complications from staph infections are more likely to occur in certain populations.
Also, people who are HIV+ or are receiving hemodialysis have higher rates of acquiring bacteremia.
Additionally, Black people in the United States are twice as likely to develop MRSA than White people.
Frequently Asked Questions
A staph infection often starts as a small, red bump.
If untreated, the bump can become inflamed, red, and tender.
It can also fill with pus and leak.
Uncomplicated staph infections may resolve independently by keeping the area clean and dry.
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Staph Infection Resources.Symptoms of MRSA and staph infections.
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