Henry (Hank) Bernstein, D.O. is a Senior Lecturer in Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School. Formerly the Associate Chief of General Pediatrics and Director of Primary Care at Children's Hospital Boston, he currently is the Chief of General Academic Pediatrics at Children's Hospital at Dartmouth. He has extensive and varied experience as a primary care pediatrician, and is a spokesperson for the news media on a variety of pediatric health care topics, including vaccination, common childhood illnesses, and practical information for caregivers.

Question:

Is a rash on my foot important enough to see the doctor about, since staph has been found in my school?

Answer:

Check your skin for signs of a staph infection, like redness, swelling, and tenderness. If your school has a nurse, check with him or her to see if your rash looks like staph. While most staph infections are mild, the severe ones are more likely to be talked about and described by the media.

It is likely you don't have a staph infection. Teenagers can get athlete's foot (tinea pedis), which is caused by a fungus. Athlete's foot fungus can be picked up by walking barefoot in public places, especially locker room showers. This germ likes warm, damp places.

The diagnosis of athlete's foot can be made by the appearance and location of the rash (usually between the toes). Sometimes it can resemble other skin rashes such as a contact dermatitis (a type of skin allergy). Athlete's foot is treated with topical antifungal creams and powders that can be purchased without a prescription. Wearing flip-flops in public showers and practicing good foot hygiene can help protect you from athlete's foot.

Your school has taken an important first step by recognizing there has been a staph infection there. Custodians at your school should make sure to give the facilities a through cleaning with bleach and water. People at your school, especially athletes, should wash their hands frequently; wash sweaty clothes after every gym class or sports practice; and disinfect and cover any open wounds. To avoid even a small risk of infection, do not share drinks, clothes or products like deodorant, lotion or hair brushes.

Staph infections are getting more attention across the country, especially those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Athletes are particularly at risk because staph infections tend to be passed by skin-to-skin contact. Although the usual antibiotics are not effective, doctors can help treat MRSA infections by cutting and draining the involved area of skin, and by using special antibiotics.