The Staphylococcus Aureus (Staph) skin germ plays a pivotal role in aggravating moderate to severe atopic eczema especially in children.  Eczema first occurs in infancy but may persist through childhood into adulthood. Many factors are implicated and certain and promote eczema such as our gene makeup (atopy), skin allergy (to dust mites, pet dander and food allergens). The common skin Staph bacterium carried by us on the skin seems to play an important role in triggering eczema exacerbations.  While 10 and 40% of the general population carry the germ Staph on their skin, a whopping 90% of eczema sufferers have this germ on their skin. Studies reveal that 30% of moderate eczema sufferers are allergic to a bacterial endotoxin produced by the Staph, while in severe and difficult to control eczema, up to 68% of children will have an allergy to this germ. The Staph also seems to make established eczema more difficult to treat by increasing skin resistance to therapeutic steroid creams – they just don’t seem to work as well if there is a Staph infection present.

Studies show that systematically eradicating the Staph from the skin will make the eczema easier to control and  ultimately clear. In an established infection, the eczema will spread rapidly appearing bright red, crusty, weepy and blistered. The Staph can also persist by being harboured in the nasal passages, under dirty finger nails and in moist skin creases. Fortunately most Staph will respond to antibiotic skin creams such as Mupirocin (Naseptin), Fusidic acid (Fucidin) as well as to antiseptic skin disinfectants such as povidine iodine (Betadine), hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate and chlorhexidine (Hibitane). The beneficial effect of using sodium hypochlorite (found in bleech) and silver impregnated garments has not been proven.  In established Staph infections presenting with Impetigo (skin honey crusts), Folliculitis (pimples and pustules) and Cellulitis (widespread skin surface infection), oral antibiotics such as Flucloxacillin, Erythromycin and Co-amoxyclav will effectively treat the skin infection (unless the superbug MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) is present). Read more about managing eczema