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Jul 29, 2024 · Viral: Painful blisters are the most notable visual symptom of a viral skin infection. Parasitic: A rash with small red or dark-colored bumps or lines on the skin’s surface can indicate a parasitic skin infection.
- Angelica Bottaro
May 2, 2023 · Skin Infection Symptoms. If you think your skin may be infected, watch for these signs: Pus or fluid leaking out of the cut; Red skin around the injury; A red streak that radiates from the...
- Overview
- Pictures of skin infections
- What are the types of skin infections?
- What are the symptoms of a skin infection?
- Causes and risk factors for a skin infection
- Diagnosis
- When to see a doctor
- Treatment
- Outlook for a skin infection
- Skin infection prevention
Various pathogens can cause skin infections, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The symptoms, treatment, and outlook will depend on the cause.
Infections can vary from mild to serious. Most skin infections are highly treatable. However, an infection can become more serious if it goes deeper into the skin or spreads across much of the body.
People with a weakened immune system have a higher risk of skin infections and complications from skin infections. This could be due to:
•a health condition, such as HIV, diabetes, poor circulation, or malnutrition
•a side effect of medication, such as chemotherapy or biologic drug use
•being older or very young
Here are some pictures of some symptoms of various skin infections:
1. Bacterial skin infections
Bacterial skin infections occur when bacteria enter the skin, either from an outside source or because they are present on the skin. They can enter the skin through a hair follicle or after a wound. Anthrax is one type of bacterium that can enter from the environment. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are bacteria that are commonly present on the skin and only cause a problem in certain circumstances. Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection that causes skin symptoms. Bacterial infections can be systemic or local. Systemic infections can cause symptoms throughout the whole body, such as a fever, while local infections only affect a specific area. Some bacterial infections can begin in one area and spread throughout the body. Some bacterial skin infections, such as impetigo, can spread between people through direct skin contact or with bodily fluids, contaminated food or water, or by touching surfaces where bacteria are present. Others, such as cellulitis, are not contagious. Different types of bacterial skin infections include: •cellulitis •impetigo •boils •Hansen’s disease (leprosy) Systemic infections that can cause skin rashes include: •syphilis •tuberculosis •leptospirosis Some bacterial infections are mild and easy to treat with topical antibiotics, but other infections require an oral antibiotic or other medical treatment.
2. Viral skin infections
Viruses can cause different types of infections that have skin symptoms, such as: •shingles (herpes zoster) •chickenpox •Molluscum contagiosum •warts •measles •hand, foot, and mouth disease These viruses are often contagious, and most are systemic.
3. Fungal skin infections
These types of skin infections are caused by a fungus and are most likely to develop in moist areas of the body where surfaces meet, such as the feet, armpit, or where there are skin folds. In some cases, an allergy to the fungus causes symptoms in other areas that are not directly affected. For instance, a person with a fungal infection on the foot might develop a rash on their fingers. It doesn’t happen because the person touched their foot. Different types of fungal infections: •athlete’s foot •yeast infection •ringworm •nail fungus •oral thrush •diaper rash
The symptoms of a skin infection will depend on:
•the type of infection
•the cause
•individual factors, such as whether the person has a weakened immune system
Common symptoms of skin infections include:
•redness on pales skin, or purple or darker areas of skin if you have a darker skin tone
Bacterial skin infection
These infections occur when bacteria enter the body through a break in the skin, such as a cut or a scratch. Not all cuts or scratches lead to a skin infection, but there is a higher risk if you: •have a weakened immune system •do not keep the wound clean •are exposed to certain bacteria, for example, when working outside
Viral skin infection
The most common viruses come from one of three groups of viruses: •poxviruses, such as: •molluscum contagiosum •smallpox •Mpox •human papillomavirus (HPV), responsible for genital warts •herpes viruses, which can lead to •herpex simplex viruses (HSV) •varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles •Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) which can lead to mononucleosis •cytomegalovirus (CMV) Experts still don’t know how prevalent viruses are on the skin, unlike bacteria and fungi.
Fungal infection
Body chemistry and lifestyle factors can increase the risk of a fungal infection. Fungi often grow in warm, moist environments. Some risk factors for a fungal infection are: •having sweaty feet or wearing closed footwear •wearing sweaty or wet clothes •having skin folds due to excess body fat •bathing in contaminated water •sharing personal items with other people who carry a fungus or have an infection A break or cut in the skin may allow pathogens to get into the deeper layers of the skin.
Often, doctors can identify the type of skin infection based on their appearance and location.
The doctor may:
•ask about symptoms
•examine any bumps, rashes, or lesions
See a doctor if you have:
•pus-filled blisters
•severe or widespread swelling or inflammation
•a skin infection that doesn’t improve or gets progressively worse
•a high fever or other symptoms
•frequent or recurring rashes or infections
Treatment depends on the cause of the infection and the severity.
Some infections will go away on their own or respond to over-the-counter creams.
If an infection is severe, the person is at risk of complications, or the infection is contagious, a doctor may prescribe medication such as:
•antibiotics
•antivirals
•antifungals
The outlook will depend on the cause, type, and severity of the infection.
Many skin infections respond well to medication. However, some conditions, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are resistant to common antibiotics and harder to treat.
Ways of reducing the risk of a skin infection or rash include:
•washing regularly
•drying the body to remove all moisture
•avoiding sharing personal items with other people
•checking the skin regularly for changes and seeking advice as soon as signs of an infection appear
•having the recommended vaccinations to prevent diseases such as chickenpox
- Chickenpox. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. Chickenpox is a skin infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
- Fungal Nail Infection. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. Thickened, discolored toenails and fingernails are often due to a fungal infection of the nail bed (the skin beneath the nail), matrix (where the growth of the nail begins), or nail plate (the nail itself) caused by a fungus called Trichophyton rubrum.
- Cold Sore. Also known as fever blisters, cold sores are lesions that appear anywhere on or around the lips, mouth, or nostrils. They begin as small fluid-filled sacs called vesicles.
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a potentially fatal disease characterized by a rash made up of small, pink, flat spots that most often appear first on the ankles, forearms, and wrists.
Sep 13, 2023 · Yeast infections on the skin develop when there is too much yeast on the skin. The overgrowth causes a rash, with other symptoms including itchiness and flaky skin. While a yeast infection on the skin isn't considered a medical emergency, it can turn into one if left untreated.
- Angelica Bottaro
Signs and symptoms. Symptoms of quinsy can include: a severe and quickly worsening sore throat, usually on one side. swelling inside the mouth and throat. difficulty opening your mouth. pain...
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Sep 15, 2023 · Skin infections occur when germs such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, infect your skin or the soft tissues below the skin's surface.
