What is a skin infection?
Skin infections range from mild, severe and life-threatening. Dermatologists determined that there are four different types of skin infections: bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic.
These are a few of the most common bacterial skin infections:
- Cellulitis
- Impetigo
- Boils
- Leprosy
Different viral skin infections include:
- Shingles/herpes
- Chickenpox
- Warts
- Measles
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Hand, foot and mouth disease
Some common fungal infections include:
- Yeast infection
- Athlete’s foot
- Ringworm
- Nail fungus
- Oral thrush
- Diaper rash
Parasitic skin infections that are common include:
- Lice
- Bedbugs
- Scabies
- Cutaneous larva migrans
Each one of these skin infection types has a range of symptoms, causes and treatments. If you notice any problems with your skin, contact your doctor right away.
What are some symptoms of skin infections?
Depending on if you have a mild or a severe case, common symptoms include but are not limited to redness, swelling, itching, pain and tenderness. In more severe cases, you may see pus, blisters, skin sloughing, foul odors or dark, discolored skin. Do not pop or pick at any blisters. Popping these areas can cause spreading. When pus touches other parts of your skin, it can seep into other cuts or clog up your pores.
Instead, if you notice any of the symptoms above, whether they are mild or severe, leave the area alone and visit your doctor or dermatologist right away. Untreated skin infections can cause high fevers, illness, and in severe cases, death.
What causes skin infections?
There is a wide range of causes for skin infections, and each type has specific causes as well.
Bacterial skin infections occur when bacteria enters your skin, usually through a cut or scratch. However, not every cut or scratch will get infected. For most people, they will not get an infection whenever they have a skin opening. People with weakened immune systems have higher risks of bacterial skin infections. If you do not have an immune disorder or disease, you still need to take care of the open area, especially if you are in an unsanitized or unclean area.
You can get a viral skin infection when a virus enters your body. These viruses usually come from three categories: the herpes virus, poxvirus and human papillomavirus. You can come across these with just human contact.
A fungal infection can occur due to body chemistry and your lifestyle. Fungi grow and thrive in warm, moist environments. People who excessively sweat, wear damp or wet clothing, or have skin folds are more prone to fungal skin infections.
Parasitic skin infections occur when tiny parasites burrow their way into your skin and lay eggs. These infections spread through human contact and unclean environments.
What is the treatment for skin infections?
The type of treatment for a skin infection depends on the type of infection. Plus, its severity will determine the proper action to take. Many viral and parasitic infections go away on their own. You can also use over-the-counter treatments.
Typically, bacterial skin infections need topical or oral antibiotics your doctor or dermatologist will prescribe. However, in severe cases, you may need to visit the hospital.
You can treat fungal skin infections with many over-the-counter antifungal sprays and creams. If the problem persists, your doctor can prescribe a stronger antibiotic. To help decrease some symptoms like redness or itchiness, try out cold compresses and antihistamines.