Skin Infections

Possible Symptoms for Skin Infections

1. Redness of the skin

There are several causes of a skin infection, and each of these causes can create different types of skin infections. However, one of the consistent symptoms of a skin infection is redness in the skin.^[1] This can also translate to a skin rash, which is an outbreak of red, scaly, bumpy skin that usually occurs in patches.

2. Itchiness or pain

Itchiness often goes hand-in-hand with rashes and red skin caused by skin infections. Sometimes, the feeling will be a throbbing or constant pain instead. It is common for the body to create pain in the area of a skin infection in order to bring your attention to the problem.

3. Swelling

In many cases, patches of skin will begin to swell up as the result of a skin infection. This will also make the skin tender to the touch.

4. Severe symptoms

Sometimes, a skin infection can become severe and even life-threatening.^[1] If this happens, more intense symptoms can occur. These can include pus, blisters, sloughing or breaking down of the skin, or skin that looks like it is decaying.

Top 5 Causes of Skin Infections

1. Bacteria

Bacteria is one of the most common causes of a skin infection.^[2] If this is the cause, you will usually first see symptoms like redness or bumps and then the issue will become worse without treatment. Common bacterial skin infections include staphylococcal or staph infections, impetigo, and cellulitis. Others can include boils and leprosy.

2. Viruses

A virus can cause a viral skin infection. Some can be mild while others can be severe and even life-threatening. Viral skin infections can include hand, foot, and mouth disease, herpes zoster (or shingles), herpes simplex, warts, measles, chickenpox, and molluscum contagiosum.

3. Fungi

Coming into contact with a fungus can also cause a skin infection. Fungal infections usually develop in parts of the body that remain cool and damp for long periods of time, such as the armpit or the feet. Some are contagious while others are not. Common fungal infections include athlete’s foot, ringworm, nail fungus, yeast infections, diaper rash, and oral thrush.

4. Parasites

Parasitic infections are caused by certain parasites, like bedbugs and lice. Such infections can be extremely painful, but they are not life-threatening, even though they can spread into the bloodstream and the organs.^[2] Some of the most common types of parasitic infections include scabies and cutaneous larva migrans.

2 Ways to Prevent Skin Infections

1. Keep clean

It can be hard to prevent a skin infection entirely, but a good start is to keep clean. Wash your hands often and before every meal, and take showers after physical activity, especially contact sports where you might be at risk of contracting a skin infection from someone else. Wipe down equipment before and after you use it at the gym. Also, if you have an open wound, make sure to wash it with soap and water, use antibiotic medicine to keep it clean, and bandage it so it will not be open to the elements.^[3]

2. Don’t share items

Not all skin infections are passed from person to person, but a good way to avoid those that are is to avoid sharing items like makeup, brushes, and towels. Don’t use someone else’s toiletries if you can avoid it. This is a good way to ensure that you won’t catch or pass on the elements that lead to a skin infection.

Possible Skin Infection Treatment Options

1. Time

Some skin infections don’t need treatment at all and will clear up on their own. These are most normally viral skin infections like chickenpox or warts. You can use over-the-counter treatments and home remedies for some of these issues, as it can be uncomfortable to wait for them to clear up. However, in most cases, these require little to no medical treatment for a safe recovery.

2. Antibiotics

Bacterial infections are most often treated with antibiotics. These can include topical antibiotics, which are applied to the area of the infection, or oral antibiotics, which are taken through the mouth. In certain, rare cases, antibiotics might need to be administered intravenously. This usually only occurs if the particular bacterial strain is resistant to the typical treatment options.

3. Over-the-counter medications

Antifungal creams and medicines can often be purchased over the counter to treat fungal infections like athlete’s foot. Those who do not see an improvement in their condition may need to ask their doctor for prescription-strength treatments instead. In addition, medicated creams can be bought over the counter for parasitic skin infections, and NSAIDs can be used to reduce inflammation.

4. Cold Compresses

If you are dealing with a particularly painful or uncomfortable skin infection, you might want to use cold compresses to bring down swelling and minimize itching. It can help to avoid scratching the site of your skin infection, as this will allow you to heal more quickly, so using a cold compress can contribute to faster healing.

5. Further treatment

Certain skin infections can be severe and may not respond to normal antibiotics. These can include bacterial infections like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA. In the case of a skin infection that causes severe symptoms or does not seem to be subsiding with treatment and time, further medical help may be needed.

Questions Your Doctor May Ask about Skin Infections

• How long have you been having the symptoms of a skin infection?
• Did you come into contact with anything different around the time you started developing symptoms?
• Do you have an immune system disease or a weakened immune system?
• Do you have diabetes?
• How have you been managing the symptoms up until now?

Skin Infections May Also be Known as:

• Bacterial skin infections
• Viral skin infections
• Fungal skin infections
• Parasitic skin infections

References