Finished antibiotics for staph - still appears infected???

Posted September 25th, 2012 by SpottyFace

I picked a hole in my face last sunday and finally went to an after hours care clinic on wednesday night. I was told that the sore was infected with staph and I was given 7 days of Bactrim. I just finished my last dose tonight. It looks better, but it's still oozing a little bit and won't scab over completely. Also, I think a spot on my nose got a little infected too because now it's red and swollen around the sore. Any advice is appreciated!

On October 8th, 2012 newperspective said:

Hey there SpottyFace! Instead of using a salicylic astringent, try using witch hazel. It works so much better and isn't as harsh or drying and is actually really good for your skin! :) I use it both morning and night after washing my face and before I apply my moisturizer. It has made my pores smaller and my overall skin tone more even. Also, my skin feels cleaner and smoother when I use it. It feels like my pores are getting a deeper clean than with just washing my face alone. Ever since adding witch hazel to my daily skincare regimen, I haven't experienced any new breakouts, which is a HUGE bonus! The brand I use is T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel. I have also tried the generic store brands as well to save a buck or two but have found them to be too drying and, in my opinion, not as effective. Witch Hazel is also really great for helping wounds to heal faster and has a soothing effect as opposed to other astringents that have proven to be more irritating - especially on broken/wounded skin. I hope this helps! Much love - newperspective

On September 27th, 2012 Brittanypicker said:

Hey spotty face, I think you should read my post "Do you pick? Nasty cuts you want to heal quick? I can help". I think it will help you a lot, i pick constantly and have also gotten staph infections from the wounds I've made, and taken antibodics and cream the doctors have given me but what I truly find works best is honey. Honey is a natural antibacterial and keeps the wound moist so it can heal and leave minimal scarring. I use it on all my cuts I've picked and it works amazing they heal in half the time and rarely get infected. I had a bad wound on my chin next to a few others but the one was infected, bright red, oozing yellow gunk, it was gross. And I just put some honey on it with a qtip and in about 2 days the infection to seemed almost gone and the wound was healing faster. I've been picking so long I feel I'll never stop. So Instead of finding a way to quit picking, I researched a lot on how wounds heal and basically how to take care of the after math. I've read a lot and tried a lot for myself and honey by far works the best for me it's natural, it's not chemicals like medicine, and its gentle. It might tingle a little but that's okay. Let me know if you try and if it helps you. Hope it does! Good luck to you, fellow skin picker. :)

On September 29th, 2012 SpottyFace said:

Hi Brittanypicker! I really appreciate your message and advice! Ya know, I've heard of the honey trick but I've never spoken to anyone who has tried it (probably because I've never spoken to anyone about my problem) I might just give it a try! I did go back and get a second round of antibiotics but maybe honey will help them heal even faster. It does seem like natural remedies work the best. I know calamine lotion isn't exactly found in nature, but the zinc in it really does help heal things too! I hope that this staph infection will be the worst of my picking days and that it scares me into stopping...but I still eat donuts even though I know that after eating them I bare a striking resemblance to an oompa loompa..lol!! Again, thank you for your advice and good luck to you as well!

On October 1st, 2012 Emmi said:

SpottyFace, I thought it might interest you to know, a few days after you posted your story, I ended up with a small staph infection on a spot just under my nose, I remembered that the doctor gave me some cream for it last time I got it, It's called Bactroban, it is a prescription cream, but it has worked WONDERS in just 2 days!! My staph has gone, Im now just waiting for the spot to heal :) Maybe inquire about a cream like that :)

On October 7th, 2012 SpottyFace said:

Hi Emmi, I'm sorry to hear about your recent bout of staph..I know it's awful. My doctor did give me an ointment like what you mentioned. I think its called mupirocin, must be generic for the bactroban. It has the same consistency as neosporin and I even put it in my nose. It's supposed to kill any colony of staph bacteria that's made residency in my nose! Glad to hear that your spots healed! Again, as always, your advise and response is always so appreciated!!!

On October 8th, 2012 Emmi said:

it must be a similar one, I'm from australia so I dont actually know what Neosporin is.. Haha. But I'm glad its working. My staph has gone away again, and This time I didnt even need antibiotics. But I have found having a healthy eating plan has been really helping, the healthier the food you put in your body, they faster your skin heals, I'm currently going All natural :) Im glad my suggestions are helping :)

On September 26th, 2012 Emmi said:

Hi SpottyFace, Appologies, I dont know your real name, My suggestion would be to return to the doctor and get another round of antibiotics! if it is helping, then you need to continue doing what your doing, so I would go back and get a second prescription. and try your hardest not to touch it in the mean time. :)

On September 27th, 2012 SpottyFace said:

Thanks Emmi! I went back today after work and they gave me a second round for 10 days this time. I think that should knock this thing out! I appreciate your help very much. I've recently moved and I'm pretty much by myself so I don't really have anyone to ask for advice. Its good to know that there are people out there willing to listen and help. Big Big Hug!!

On September 27th, 2012 Emmi said:

No worries AT ALL! my Staph infection destroyed my confidence, it was all over my face, I hated it, and would hate for that to EVER happen to someone else. Im glad you got a second dose :) Hopefully this time it will kick this silly infection, Make sure to keep away from touching them tho, I cant stress that enough, Always happy to give advise :) Big Hugs back to you!!!

On September 27th, 2012 arkag said:

Definitely your best option: staph infections are horrible and spread so quickly! I once had one on my leg -- one day it was a few spots and the next is had spread everywhere, lots of scars from that but they all faded within 4-5 months which is good.

On September 27th, 2012 Emmi said:

Arkag, if the scars are still visable and they are bothering you, try Vitamin E filled moisturizer, It worked WONDERS for my legs after I was covered in scars :)

For information on the skin picking disorder (Dermatillomania), symptoms, causes and treatment methods, get the Complete Guide to Skin Picking Disorders.