When the little baby becomes a toddler, a lot of things change. They start exploring outdoors and it becomes difficult for the parents to always keep scrutinizing them wherever they go which was quite a possible task when they were babies as they were mainly indoors. As babies, we could protect them from any infection that could occur from outside. We could sanitize the indoor environment and by and large keep them safe. Yet as they grow they move around a lot, meet with other kids more often, visit schools and day-care centers they are bound to carry more infection.
If at any time one notices puss formation on the toddler’s hands or legs, any sort of cut or wound, swelling, redness, then it surely is a sign of Staph infection. What is more important is to know what exactly a staph infection is how and where does it take place, what are the treatment. Let us have a look at all these answers and keep our kids protected and if diagnosed, well treated.
What Is A Staph Infection?
This infection happens due to the toxins produced by a specific type of bacteria known as the Staphylococcus bacteria that is the cause for different types of infections that occur on the surface of the skin or nose. The staph can make way to one’s body by any cut that is present in the skin. The infections could be very small or severe ones as well. However, if the staph enters the bloodstream, joints, bones, lungs, heart etc, it could prove to be fatal.
Earlier it was easy to cure the infection and treatment was possible but due to some recent studies, it has been seen that some forms of infection have been seen to be more infectious and multiplying especially the infection in the head and the neck.
Besides skin infections, it can even lead to other infectious diseases like pneumonia, gastric infections, and blood infections.
Complication Of Staph Infection In Toddler
More often Staph infection can be resolved before developing any complication. However, sometimes Staphylococcus bacteria become resistant to certain antibiotics (MRSA), which makes the treatment more complicated. In that case, the child will be at high risk of developing serious infections like abscesses, wound infections, pneumonia, and sepsis.
Who Is At Risk?
This disease can be caught by anyone but more vulnerable are the toddlers who are in direct contact with the people already infected with it. This infection can spread through many ways and some of them are listed as under:
- Contact of skin to skin.
- Sharing of toys or other things with the infected kids
- Through bug bites
- Contaminated surfaces
- Toddlers suffering through eczema
- Toddlers going to daycare centers
Signs Of Staph Infection In Toddlers
The staph infection is a common one and it is extremely important to understand the correct indicators of the same. The toddlers are much more exposed to the external environment and it is our duty to keep them protected and safe. Few of the commonplace indicators of the staph infections could be as below and they could be from mild to severe ones.
- If the toddler has a wound it will become red, swollen and painful if infected with Staph.
- The staph will discharge puss.
- One can experience an unpleasant smell that originates from the affected area.
- Healing is time-consuming if infected with staph.
Preventing Toddler Staph Infection
Since the toddlers are always playing and interacting with other kids, it is natural for them to keep getting infected with diseases that are contagious. As parents we cannot stop them from enjoying or interacting, however, we can take certain measures that are preventive for them. In case the toddler is suffering from a staph infection, one can take some preventive means for protecting the child before the infection becomes too severe.
Some of the measures are as below:
- It is important to wash both yours and the kid’s hand’s with a proper and medicated soap or even a liquid hand wash every time one goes to the bathroom or blowing the nose.
- Clean hand using alcohol-based hand sanitizers or wipes after playing in the play area of malls
- It is important to keep your hands clean before or after handling the foodstuff.
- Be clean while handling pets or any other animals.
- Never use anybody else’s clothes, towels, napkins etc for the babies and kids.
- Always keep the wound or any cut that happens clean and properly covered with bandages until it is healed properly.
- Never let your child touch other peoples cut, wounds, and bandages.
- Always keep the child protected from any sunburns or bug bites.
Treating Staph Infection In Toddlers
Staph infections are generally treated with antibiotics, but its recovery totally depends on the immunity of the toddler. In case a toddler has a good immunity, it will take less time in recovering whereas if the toddler has a weaker immunity, the staph infection can lead to serious issues later.
More importantly, one must finish its due course of medication if the child has been put on antibiotics and should keep consulting the medical practitioner to rule out any further complications.
Also, remember not to try to self-drain infections as it can worsen the infection.
Preventing The Spread Of Infection
- Use separate washcloths, and towel for the toddler
- Change bandages frequently
- Use gloves while changing the bandages.
- Give your toddler shower bath rather than a tub bath
- Every day wash clothing and bedding of toddler in hot water
Thus, it becomes extremely evident that staph infection is not something that should be taken lightly and needs proper care and vigilance on the part of the parents or the caretakers. If by any chance even despite the preventive measures the toddler does get infected, it is very important to offer proper treatment and full care as it can have serious consequences in case it enters the blood, lungs, tissues, bones, joints, etc. So, let us be vigilant and keep our kids safe from such infections.
