One place that staph likes to "hide" is inside the nostrils. So, if you are getting a lot of infections, talk to your doctor about doing a nose culture. If it shows staph, then some people find it helps to use a prescription ointment known as mupirocin in the nostrils twice a day for five days to try to get rid of the bacteria there.
Also, I recommend washing your hands regularly, avoiding sharing your towels or personal items like razor blades, and laundering all your clothing, bedding and towels in hot water.
From a holistic point of view, there are many options. Some people have found that a specific garlic product known as AlliMAX has been helpful for them. Fresh garlic is active against staph in lab studies, at least partly due to a chemical known as allicin. AlliMAX has a high amount of allicin. One downside, though, is that it is smelly — as you would expect garlic to be.
Dr. Astrid Pujari is a Seattle M.D. with an additional degree as a medical herbalist; she practices at the Pujari Center and teaches as part of the residency programs at Virginia Mason and Swedish/Cherry Hill hospitals. Send questions to apujari@seattletimes.com for possible use in future columns. All information is intended for education and not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your doctor before following any suggestions given here.
