What are various infections of our skins?
Skin is the largest organ of our body and has many different roles, including covering and protecting your body.
Healthy skin does not allow germs to enter the body. But sometimes the germs can cause damage to the skin which is known as a skin infection. This may happen when there is an injury, break, cut, or wound on your skin. It can also happen when your body resistance power goes down (immune system weakens), because of another disease or medical treatment.
Some of the skin infections may affect a small area on the top of your skin. Some infections could be deep-seated into your skin or also may spread to a larger area.
What causes skin infections?
Different types of micro-organisms cause different types of skin infections, for example
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Viruses
- Parasites
What are the symptoms of skin infections?
The symptoms usually depend on the type of microbial infection. However, some symptoms that are common to many skin infections include rashes, swelling, redness, pain, pus, and itching.
Common Bacterial Infections of the skin:
Bacterial skin infections usually start as small, red swelling, and slowly grow in size. Some of the infections are mild and easily treated with topical antibiotics (ointments, creams, lotions, etc.), but other infections require an oral antibiotic.
Common bacteria that cause skin infections:
- Staphylococci
- Streptococci
Examples of skin infections:
Boil – A boil is a type of skin infection that starts affecting the hair follicle or oil gland in the skin. In the beginning, the skin becomes red in the affected area of the infection, and a tender lump may develop. Pus starts collected in the lump within 4-7 days.
Cellulitis – It is one of the common, painful bacterial skin infections. Usually, it starts as a red, swelling in a small area, tender to the touch. The redness and swelling may spread fast. Commonly affects the skin of the lower parts of the legs, though Cellulitis can affect any part of the body including the face.
Impetigo is another common skin infection that affects children more. Impetigo usually starts as red sores on the face, particularly around the nose and mouth of the child, and spreads to hands and feet.
When hair follicles become inflamed due to bacterial infection it is called Folliculitis. The micro-organisms involved could be bacteria or fungi. In the beginning, it may look like small red bumps or white-headed pimples around hair follicles from where each hair grows
One more type of bacterial skin infection is Erythrasma. Erythrasma occurs in the folds of the skin. Erythrasma is a condition of long-time nature.
Common Fungal Infections of the skin:
Fungal skin infections are very common and can happen anywhere on the body. Very common fungal infections include athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm, and yeast infections.
Ringworm infection is not a worm infection but a fungal infection caused by a fungus called tinea capitis. The abrasion caused by this infection looks like a worm in the shape of a ring — hence the name. Signs and symptoms of ringworm include a round, flat patch of itchy skin with a clear or scaly area inside the ring, slightly raised and expanding rings.
Fungal infection occurring in the groin area or inner thighs is called Jock itch. It is caused by Tinea cruris. Rash and itching or burning sensation are very common symptoms. Generally rash could be red, flaky, or scaly. It spreads from person to person or using contaminated towels or clothing of others.
Tinea versicolor is another fungal infection of the skin that interferes with the normal pigmentation of the skin, resulting in discolored patches. The affected patches can be lighter or darker in color than the surrounding skin. Tinea versicolor mostly affect the trunk and shoulders
Cutaneous candidiasis of the skin produces a red, rash that is itchy and occurs in the skin folds.
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail caused by Tinea unguium. Symptoms of Onychomycosis are nail discoloration, nails becoming thick, and sometimes nail separates from the nail bed. The parts affected are Toenails or fingernails, however, toenails are affected more.
Common Viral Infections of the skin:
There are many types of skin infections caused by a virus. Viral infections can be an actual infection of the skin with the virus or sometimes they can be a reaction to a virus inside the body. Some of the viral infections are harmless and some are serious but usually not life-threatening. Some of the viral infections are contagious.
Warts are caused by Human papillomavirus (HPV). Human papillomavirus stimulates fast growth of the outer layer of the skin. Fingers, near the fingernails, or on the hands are affected by Warts.
The measles virus causes a highly contagious infection. Measles virus replicates in the nose and throat of an infected person. When measles infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, droplets with the virus spread in the air which other people may inhale.
Common Parasitic Infections of the skin:
Parasitic skin infections occur in the upper layer of the skin.
Scabies is caused by a mite. Microscopic mites can live on the skin for many months. These mites reproduce on the surface of the skin and then penetrate the skin and lay eggs. This leads to itching, red rashes on the skin.
Lice infestation includes scalp, pubic area
The People who are at greater risk of skin infections
- Diabetics who are likely suffering from poor blood flow (particularly hands and feet) and high level of sugar in the blood decreases their ability to fight infections due to weakened immunity
- Hospitalized people or people living in a nursing home
- Elderly persons
- Persons with human immunodeficiency virus, AIDS, or low body resistance(immunity) or have hepatitis
- Chemotherapy patients or taking drugs that suppress the immune system
What are Skin Rashes?
Skin rashes may be caused by many things like exposure to dust, mites, certain plants, medications, or foods. Skin rashes may also be caused by illnesses like measles or chickenpox.
The two most common types of skin allergies are – Eczema and Urticaria.
Eczema is more common in infants, but it also affects adults to a lesser degree. The most common symptoms of eczema are itchy, dry, and red skin. Tiny, fluid-filled bumps on the skin, particularly when infected, can ooze a clear or yellowish liquid. Eczema sufferers also have a family history of allergies.
Urticaria involves red bumps or swellings that appear in some parts or all over the body. It’s also called Hives.
Preventing Skin Infections and Allergies
The most important way to prevent the spread of skin infections is to maintain good hand hygiene.
- Cut your nails regularly
- Take bath daily using bathing soap
- Wear washed clothes
- Dry your hair after a head bath
- Do not use others personal care items
- Frequently change bed linens to a fresh one
- Stay away from the known allergens
Treatment options of skin infections
The treatment of skin infections depends on the type of infections, the causative factors, and how serious they are. Some infections will disappear on their own. Your doctor may recommend a cream or lotion to apply on the skin or give oral medicines and yet times may do a procedure to drain the pus.
The treatment recommended by your physician will depend on the causative factors of your skin infections or allergies.
In some cases where the skin infection and allergies involve multiple causative factors, your physician may recommend a combination product.
Whenever you see the signs and symptoms or skin conditions described in the post, contact your physician for immediate remedial action.
References:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/jock-itch
- https://tibot.ai/skin-disorders/fungal-infections/candidiasis/
- https://acaai.org/allergies/types/skin-allergies
- https://medlineplus.gov/skininfections.html
- https://www.bezackpulmonology.com/blog/150534-how-to-help-your-child-cope-with-allergies
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/folliculitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20361634
- https://www.healthline.com/health/ringworm