A second staph infection in 6 months.....!!!!!?

Question

6 months ago I developed cellulitis on my right ear (that ended up getting really bad). I took the antibiotics and it got better. I went home from school and within 2 days of being back here, I've now developed a boil right behind the lobe of the opposite ear, where my ear lobe connects to my head. Can anyone offer any advice? Why is this happening to me?!

Answer 1

It's possible that you're a staph carrier. It means you carry Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in your nose or on the skin. When you scratch your ears, or ears get slightly injured the other way, some staph bacteria enter under the skin and cause infection.

Of course someone other who is staph carrier, or has active staph infection can transmit infection to you.

You can buy an antibiotic ointment in the pharmacy to treat your nose, I think you get it without prescription. To treat skin staph carrier state, oral antibiotics would be needed. Also consider who might infected you. Staph may be transmitted from pets, or if you're using the same pillow with someone infected.