Skin Infection

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skin infection

A skin infection is a condition in which germs (bacteria, viruses, or fungi) infect your skin and sometimes the deep tissues underneath it. In some cases, it’s caused by a parasite invading your skin. You can get a skin infection any time your skin is broken, whether from a cut, tattoo, piercing, puncture, sting or bite.

Some infections happen at the skin’s surface, but they can start deeper in the wound. You can treat minor skin infections at home, but you might have to go to the doctor or emergency room for a more serious one.

Skin Infection Symptoms

the skin infection symptoms include:

Pus or fluid leaking out of the cut
Red skin around the injury
A red streak that runs from the cut toward your heart
A pimple or yellowish crust on top
Sores that look like blisters
Pain that gets worse after a few days
Swelling that gets worse after a few days
A fever
The wound hasn’t healed after 10 days

It can be hard to tell the difference between an infection and eczema, especially in children. People with eczema often get skin infections because the breaks in their skin let germs in. If an eczema treatment doesn’t work, or if the rash gets worse, it could be an infection.

Skin Infection Causes

Bacteria, a fungus, or a virus can cause skin infections. Common types include:

Boils: This is the most common type of skin infection. It’s usually caused by staph bacteria. It’s a pocket of pus that forms over a hair follicle or oil gland. Your skin gets red and swollen. If it breaks open, pus likely will drain out.

Impetigo: This contagious rash usually shows up as blisters with a honey-colored crust. Staph or strep bacteria are usually to blame.

Cellulitis: This bacterial infection grows in the deepest layers of your skin. It causes redness, swelling, and sores on the surface and can be painful.

Ringworm: It has nothing to do with worms. Its name comes from the circular shape of the rash it causes. The spots also have a border that’s slightly raised and darker in color. This fungal infection can appear anywhere on your body. Athletes’ feet and jock itch are types of ringworm.

MRSA: This bacterial infection can be dangerous because it resists some antibiotics. That means antibiotics used to treat staph infections don’t work as they should. The rash usually shows up as painful red bumps that look like pimples or spider bites. It may be warm to the touch, and you might have a fever. This skin infection often shows up in schools, military barracks, nursing homes, and other places where people live in close quarters.

Eczema: It’s a group of conditions that includes atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and others that inflame and dry out the skin. You might notice a red rash, serious itchiness, or thickened or scaly skin. Eczema can weaken the skin’s protective barrier and allow bacteria and other germs that live on the skin to go deeper, which can lead to more infection from bacteria like staph and viruses like herpes.

Skin Infection Treatment

If you have an infection, your doctor may prescribe medicine. What they give you depends on the type of infection:

Antibiotics fight a bacterial infections.
Antivirals treat viral infections.
Antifungal creams, ointments, powders, or pills treat fungal infections.

Any break in the skin can lead to a tetanus infection if your tetanus shot isn’t up to date. Check with your doctor to see if you need a booster shot. You should get a tetanus booster every 10 years.