Infections

What is a skin infection? Symptoms, causes, therapy

You are taken care of your skin for a long time and what you see you are affected by a skin infection. How do you handle it? It makes you upset and unaware. We are here to help you in treating your skin infections. The latest treatments are available for patients in the centre.

What is a Skin Infection?

Skin infection happens when your skin is occupied by different microorganisms. There are different types of microorganisms like Viruses, bacteria, fungus. Sometimes they can be mild or serious, proper medical attention is needed.

How does your skin infection begin?

The outermost layer (stratum corneum) of your skin forms a guarding barrier and it curbs your skin from harmful microorganisms like bacteria and fungus arriving in the skin. When the skin barrier is injured then it leads to a skin infection.

Types of Skin Infections and their treatments

1. Bacterial skin infection

Bacteria are living organisms that are all around you, many are good for you and some are harmful.

If your immune system is weak, a bacteria can easily enter your skin.

Common bacterial skin infections involve

• Boils
• Leprosy
• Impetigo
• Cellulitis
• Intertrigo

Etc.

Treatment:

Bacteria are treated with topical or oral medicine.

• Viral skin infection

Viral skin infections are caused by viruses which are microbes that can be easily multiplied in human beings. The most common viral skin infection are :

• Chicken Pox
• Measles
• Warts
• Molluscum contagiosum
• Herpes simplex
• Herpes zoster
• Etc.

Anti-viral therapy is used for viral skin infections.

• Fungal skin infection

Treatment:

They are caused by microorganisms called fungi. Warm and moist surfaces easily develop a fungal infection. Wearing sweaty clothes for a long time or maintaining poor health hygiene can lead you to this condition.

• Ringworm
• Nail infection(onychomycosis)
• Candidiasis etc.

Are some of the common skin infections known as fungus.

Treatments

Antifungal cream, powders, oral medications are given by dermatologists to treat fungal infections.

• Parasitic skin infection

Parasitic skin infections are affected by parasites that require human skin for their nutrition. The microorganisms are small in size like bedbugs, lice, scabies. It lays eggs on the skin and this may cause parasitic infection.

Treatment

Creams and lotions, and oral medicines are given by dermatologists for treating parasitic infections.

Tips to prevent skin infections

• Hand hygiene: One should always wash their hands and prevent them from the transfer of germs.
• Keep injuries and cuts clean.
• Take a shower after a workout.
• Wear light and loose-fitting clothes.

How skin infections are examined?

Skin infections are examined by dermatologists with a physical examination. Types of skin tests involves

1. Biopsy
2. Patch Test
3. Skin Culture