Understanding Skin Infections - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

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What is a bacterial skin infection?

Bacterial skin infections occur when bacteria enter through the surface of the skin. They can cause symptoms such as swelling and inflammation. Treatment may include topical or oral antibiotics. Experts classify bacterial skin infections as skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) or acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI).

What are the different types of skin infections?

There are four primary types of skin infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic. These infections can cause a variety of symptoms, including redness, itchiness, sores, skin irritation, and swelling.

What causes a skin infection?

Skin infections occur when germs infect your skin or the soft tissues below the skin's surface. There are four main types of germs that can infect your skin: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Anyone can develop a skin infection.

What are the symptoms of a skin infection?

The symptoms depend on the type of infection. Some symptoms that are common to many skin infections include rashes, swelling, redness, pain, pus, and itching. How are skin infections diagnosed? To diagnose a skin infection, your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. You may have lab tests, such as a skin culture.

What are the most common skin infections?

Others include cellulitis and Lyme disease. The most common bacteria associated with skin infections are the Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species. Skin infections can result from bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic causes. The way they affect the body will depend on the specific pathogen.

How do bacterial skin infections occur?

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.

Can anyone develop a skin infection?

Anyone can develop a skin infection. In fact, skin infections are the third most common medical concern that healthcare providers treat in an ambulatory center (which includes places such as urgent care, surgical centers, emergency rooms, and doctors' offices). Common infection symptoms include a rash, swelling, redness, inflammation, or abscesses.

What Is Skin Infections

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