Staph Skin Infection in Baby or Toddler
The short answer
Staphylococcus (staph) is a common bacteria that lives on the skin and can cause infections when it enters through a break in the skin (cut, scratch, bug bite, or eczema patch). In babies, staph infections often appear as red, swollen, warm areas that may develop pus, boils, or honey-colored crusting (impetigo). Most minor staph infections respond well to treatment. However, staph infections can spread quickly in young children and some strains (MRSA) are resistant to common antibiotics, so prompt medical evaluation is important.
By Age
What to expect by age
Babies are more vulnerable to staph infections because their immune systems are still developing and their skin barrier is thinner. Staph can enter through the umbilical stump, diaper area, or any small skin break. Impetigo (honey-colored crusty patches), boils, and infected eczema patches are common presentations. Any skin infection in a baby under 3 months needs prompt medical attention, as young infants can become seriously ill quickly from bacterial infections.
Toddlers frequently get minor cuts, scrapes, and bug bites that can become infected with staph bacteria. Signs of staph infection include increasing redness around a wound, warmth, swelling, pus, and pain. Impetigo (contagious patches with honey-colored crusting) spreads easily in daycare settings. Keep infected areas covered, wash hands frequently, and do not share towels or personal items. Most staph skin infections are treated with topical or oral antibiotics prescribed by your pediatrician.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Mild redness around a healing cut or scrape that improves over a few days
- A small pimple-like bump that resolves on its own
- Minor skin irritation in the diaper area from moisture
- A cut, scrape, or bug bite that is becoming more red, swollen, or painful instead of healing
- A pus-filled bump or boil that is growing
- Honey-colored crusting on the skin (possible impetigo)
- A skin infection that has not improved after starting prescribed antibiotics for 48 hours
- A skin infection in a baby under 3 months old
- Rapidly spreading redness or red streaks extending from an infected area
- Fever along with a skin infection
- A large, painful abscess that needs drainage
- Your child appears ill, lethargic, or is refusing to eat along with a skin infection
Sources
Related Resources
Related Skin Concerns
My Baby Has Impetigo
Impetigo is a common bacterial skin infection in babies and young children, caused by staph or strep bacteria. It appears as red sores that quickly develop into honey-colored crusts, most often around the nose, mouth, and hands. While it looks unpleasant, impetigo is very treatable with antibiotic ointment or oral antibiotics and clears up within a week or two of starting treatment.
Baby Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Baby eczema is extremely common, affecting up to 20% of infants, and is not caused by anything you did wrong. It shows up as dry, red, itchy patches and is very manageable with consistent moisturizing and gentle skin care. Most children outgrow it by school age.
Cellulitis (Skin Infection) in Babies
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that causes an area of skin to become red, swollen, warm, and tender. It can happen when bacteria enter through a break in the skin such as a scratch, insect bite, or eczema patch. Cellulitis requires antibiotic treatment and needs medical attention because it can spread. With prompt treatment, most cases clear up completely within 7-10 days.
My Baby Has Insect Bites
Insect bites on babies are very common and usually result in small red bumps that may be itchy or slightly swollen. Because babies have sensitive skin and immature immune systems, their reactions to bug bites can look more dramatic than an adult's. Most bites heal on their own within a few days with simple home care.
Baby Acne (Neonatal Acne)
Baby acne is a very common, harmless condition that appears as small red or white bumps on your newborn's face, usually around 2-4 weeks of age. It is caused by maternal hormones still circulating in your baby's system and clears up on its own within a few weeks to months without any treatment.
Baby Blister on Lip from Nursing
A nursing blister (also called a suck callus) is a small, painless blister or thickened patch on your baby's upper lip caused by the friction of latching during breastfeeding or bottle feeding. It is completely harmless, does not hurt your baby, and does not need any treatment. These are very common in newborns and typically come and go in the early weeks.