There are a few other kinds of conditions that can sometimes be mistaken for acne in certain cases, and Staph infections are a common example. Staph infections sometimes appear in similar ways to acne and can be mistaken for it as a result, but being able to tell the two apart is important to receive the proper treatment.

At Skintherapy Skincare & Acne Clinic, we're proud to offer the best acne treatments and related services at our skincare clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah, with estheticians who are experts at identifying acne versus other potential skin issues. While we don't directly treat Staph infections, our estheticians are quite familiar with these issues and how to tell them apart from acne - and we'll even make recommendations on ideal doctors to speak to if it turns out your issue is indeed a Staph infection. Here are some basics on Staph infections and why they're a risk, plus some of the basic indicators our estheticians will use to identify them separately from acne.

Staph Infection Basics and Infection Methods

What exactly is a Staph infection, and how does it differ from acne? Staph infections are caused by the bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus, which is commonly found on the skin and in the nose. While this bacterium is typically harmless, if it enters your body through a cut or wound, it can cause an infection. This is where things can become dangerous, as Staph infections can lead to serious health complications if left untreated.

Staph infections are highly contagious and can spread easily through person-to-person contact or by touching contaminated surfaces. It's important to note that while anyone can develop a Staph infection, certain groups of people, such as athletes, healthcare workers, children, and those with weakened immune systems, are at a higher risk.

Signs of Staph Infection (And How They Differ From Acne)

It's true that in their early stages, Staph infections often resemble pimples or boils. However, there are some key differences to look out for:

• Staph infections tend to be more painful than acne and may have a burning sensation.
• The surrounding skin of a Staph infection may appear red, swollen, and warm to the touch.
• Pus or fluid-filled blisters may develop in the infected area.
• Staph infections can also cause fever and chills, while acne typically does not.
• Staph infections have no obvious border where one lesion ends and another begins, unlike acne.
• Staph infections tend to spread very quickly, while acne is more measured.

Now, even knowing these basics, there will be some cases where it's still hard for individual patients to determine on their own whether they have a Staph infection or acne. This is where professional estheticians or dermatologists come in. They are trained to identify and diagnose different types of skin conditions, including Staph infections and acne. Moreover, they can provide personalized treatment plans tailored specifically for each patient's needs (or, in other cases, recommendations on treatment centers for Staph infections).

Don't Wait to Treat Staph Infections

If you're examined by our estheticians and it turns out your issue is indeed a Staph infection and not acne, you should take immediate action and start treatment. Staph infections can spread quickly if left untreated, causing more serious health complications such as abscesses or even sepsis. Treatment options for Staph infections include:

• Antibiotics: If caught early, a simple course of antibiotics can clear up the infection in a matter of days. However, it's important to finish the entire course of medication as prescribed by your doctor to ensure that the infection is completely eradicated.
• Drainage: In cases where an abscess has formed, our estheticians may recommend draining it to remove the pus and relieve pressure. This should only be done by a trained professional to avoid further complications.
• Topical treatments: For mild Staph infections or recurring ones, topical ointments or creams may be prescribed to help alleviate symptoms and prevent future outbreaks.

Preventing Future Staph Infections

Once you have successfully treated a Staph infection, it is important to take steps to prevent future occurrences. Here are some tips to help you avoid contracting Staph bacteria:

• Keep your skin clean: Regularly washing your hands and taking showers can help prevent the spread of Staph bacteria. Remember to use a mild soap and warm water when washing.
• Avoid sharing personal items: Items such as towels, razors, and clothing should not be shared with others to reduce the risk of spreading infection.
• Cover any wounds or cuts: If you have any open wounds or cuts, make sure to keep them covered with a bandage until they are fully healed.
• Maintain good hygiene: Make sure to regularly clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces such as doorknobs, countertops, and keyboards.

At Skintherapy Skincare & Acne Clinic, our expert estheticians are able to spot the differences between acne and Staph infections and quickly point you in the right direction for treatment. Contact us today for these or any other skincare clinic needs around SLC or nearby parts of Utah!

The desire for perfect, blemish-free skin is one everyone in our modern society strives for. You see pictures of splendidly perfect skin everywhere on Instagram, Facebook, magazines.

But what’s that, you say? More acne? Scabs? Dry skin? It sees like no matter what you do, you are stuck with pimples and bumps.

Some may resort to picking. At least that way, you have control over something. At least that way, you can see a difference, feel a difference.

Picking at your acne can be a form of self-harm. The actual name for it is Dermatillomania and it affects many people with acne and even some without the acne.  There are two kinds of Dermatillomania, one of them is an addiction and the other is a compulsion.

A compulsion to pick stems from feeling a sensation in or on the skin that makes you want to pick at it to make the sensation go away. This sensation stems from factors usually inside the body like bad reactions to food, medication, stress, and lack of sleep. People with a compulsion sometimes don’t even realize they are doing it. They just go at it when they get an itchy feeling or some other trigger.

An addiction to picking comes from trying to manage stress in an unhealthy way, or simply because picking feels good. The desire to pick generally comes from wanting perfect skin, so the picker will use any means necessary to even out and flatten blemishes. They believe this will help their appearance when the opposite usually happens. People who are addicted to picking will feel a general sense of relief or a rush when they are finished picking. Think of it like a form of managing stress; they do it to escape their thoughts or problems for a little while and in process, damage their skin.

The need to have some sort of control over reality is often a big factor for people who pick at their skin. It is also a form of perfectionism, and sometimes it may be from other underlying factors like OCD, although that is not always the case.

Managing picking depends on whether you are addicted to picking or if it is a compulsion but the remedies can be very similar.

With an addiction, it’s best to focus more on reconditioning your mind and thoughts that lead up to the picking. Many of the ways to remedy this are similar to other addictions. Changing up your routine, avoiding people and places that make you want to pick, and even changing your diet can all help tremendously in managing the picking tendency.

To manage the compulsion to pick, there are usually a few environmental factors that need to be changed in order to stop. Adding consistency is a huge step. Sleeping and eating routines should be carefully looked at, as those can cause the “itch to pick.” Also considering what foods and medications may be triggering the desire is helpful so you can manage them better. Looking at what goes into your body will help you better understand any imbalances within that lead to compulsion.

Having a guide to help you work through these issues is important to not feel so alone when dealing with an addiction or a compulsion. Sometimes it can be hard to see that there is a problem and having someone else there to show you what the problem is and how to deal with it, is extremely important. But the most important factor of all is that YOU decide to quit. It’s not about anyone else until you make the decision to stop.

The only way to stop picking is to realize that you want to stop. But it doesn’t hurt to have some help along the way. Call us at 801-800-6602. We not only help with acne, but we offer support to those who want to quit picking and get clear skin in the process. We can help you manage the stress that comes from picking by making acne less of a problem. Whatever assistance we can offer for you to obtain clear skin, free of acne and picking scars, we are here to help.  Making an appointment is the first step!