only occasionally caused by staph. It usually begins with a tender swelling and redness around a cut or sore, then gradually spreads into nearby tissue. Red lines may radiate from the infected area to nearby lymph nodes, which may also become infected and swell to two or three times their normal size, which is a serious condition called lymphadenitis. Infants and young children sometimes develop scalded skin syndrome, a staph infection characterized by a blistering, peeling rash. Another staph infection that afflicts mostly children is conjunctivitis; this causes the eyes to redden and to weep a yellow, watery pus that forms a crust overnight during sleep. Blepharitis, a staph infection that involves the edges of the eyelids, can also result in red, crusty eyes. When a staph infection forms around the edges of fingernails, causing swelling and pus-filled blisters, the condition is known as paronychia. Hand washing is the best way to prevent staph infections from passing from person to person. You can also help prevent staph skin infections by keeping your skin clean by bathing or showering daily. Keep areas of the skin that have been injured or affected by eczema, and rashes clean and covered, and use antibiotic ointments or other treatments that your doctor suggests. If you or someone in your family has a staph infection, don't share towels, sheets, or clothing with them until the infection has been fully treated. You can treat most localized staph skin infections at home by washing the skin with an antibacterial cleanser, applying an antibiotic ointment, and covering the skin with a clean dressing. To prevent the spread of infection, use a towel only once when you clean an area of infected skin, then wash it in hot water....
