- Types of skin infection
- 1. Skin infection caused by bacteria
- 2. Fungal skin infection
- 3. Skin infection caused by viruses
- Signs and symptoms of skin infection
- Treatment for skin infection
Skin infections can arise due to an imbalance in the bacterial flora that naturally lines the skin. Skin infections vary in degree and can manifest as simple acne, herpes or as a more serious disease caused by staphylococci , such as scalded skin syndrome.
The main symptoms of skin infections are redness and itching, which can arise after gardening, entering the sea or the pool, for example. The people who are most likely to suffer from this type of infection are diabetics and AIDS sufferers, but anyone can be affected, even if they are very healthy.
Types of skin infection
Skin infections can be mild, which can be cured with home remedies, or serious, which need medications prescribed by the doctor. They can be of the following types:
1. Skin infection caused by bacteria
In this case, the bacteria proliferate on the skin and penetrate the deeper layers of the skin through cuts or scrapes. Some examples are:
- Infectious cellulitis; Impetigo; Erysipelas; Furuncle.
The treatment of minor skin infections caused by bacteria can be solved with antibiotic ointments, but in the most severe cases the doctor may prescribe antibiotics in the form of syrup or pills.
2. Fungal skin infection
Fungi proliferate in humid and hot areas, so the places on the body that have such characteristics are the most prone to the development of fungi in an uncontrolled way. Some examples are:
- Chilblains; Ringworm on the skin or nails; Balanitis; Candidiasis.
These can be treated with antifungal ointments indicated by the pharmacist, as is the case with chilblains and nail fungus, but must be indicated by the doctor in other situations.
3. Skin infection caused by viruses
Skin diseases that are caused by viruses are more frequent in childhood when they come into contact with the infected person, since they are usually contagious diseases. Some examples are:
- Herpes; Chickenpox; Measles; Hand-foot-mouth syndrome; Warts.
These skin infections can be treated with ointments indicated by the doctor, and if fever or pain is present, Dipyrone may also be recommended.
Signs and symptoms of skin infection
The first signs of an infection on the skin are redness, itching and the formation of small rashes on the skin. Signs that the infection can be serious are:
- Pus; Presence of blisters on the skin; Peeling of the skin; Darkened skin in the affected region.
Usually the doctor will be able to observe the person and determine what is causing each infection, based on the characteristics of the lesions, their location, in addition to the person's age and daily habits. In case of doubt, he may request a biopsy of the tissue for a more specific treatment, but while waiting for the results of the laboratory, he may indicate oral antibiotics to control the infection.
Treatment for skin infection
Keeping the skin properly clean and washing the wounds with soap and water are fundamental measures to prevent a skin infection from appearing or to prevent its worsening.
Treatment can be done with antibiotics in the form of an ointment, when it is caused by bacteria, topical antifungals in case of infection caused by fungi and in some cases of viral infections, such as herpes, ointments that decrease the action of the virus may be indicated. In any case, the treatment must be indicated by the doctor, because using the wrong medicine, besides not having the expected effect, can aggravate the situation.
