Home > Skin Infections

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Viral Skin Infections
• Chickenpox
• Herpes Virus
• HPV
• Bacterial
• Boils and Carbuncles
• Cellulitis
• Ecthyma
• Folliculitis
• Impetigo
• MRSA
• Fungal Skin Infections
• Athlete's Foot
• Jock Itch
• Ringworm
• Onychomycosis
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Natural Remedies
• Free Brochures

"To take hold skin infections need to penetrate the skin, which is the largest and most visible organ of the body. The skin functions as an anatomical barrier between the internal and external environment. As such, it protects the body from pathogens (harmful organisms) and other substances in the environment. Although there are millions of bacteria, yeast and other microorganisms normally found in the human skin, skin infections occur only when there is a disturbance in the integrity of the skin or when the immune system is weakened. Below you will find pictures, descriptions and common treatment options for common bacterial and fungal infections." 

Overview

A skin infection occurs when the skin is invaded by harmful microscopic organisms like viruses, bacteria, and fungi, where they multiply and cause subsequent tissue injury, which may progress to disease. A break in the skin, such as a wound increases one’s risk for a skin infection. Other factors, such as poor hygiene, presence of a systemic disease, or weakened immune system also increase one’s likelihood for acquiring an infection on the skin surface.

The most common causes of infection includes:

Viral Skin Infections

Viral skin infections are caused by diseases such as Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Varicella, Herpes zoster, Human papilloma virus (HPV), Chicken pox, the Pox virus (chickenpox) and Molluscum contagiosum. 

Chicken Pox Virus

Chicken pox is spread through the air (mucosal droplets). Patients are infectious 2 days prior and 5 days after a rash appears. Additional symptoms include sore throat, tiredness and cough. The papules tend to itch and after 2 days become crusted.

Severe cases cause respiratory symptoms. Treatment includes warm baths and calamine lotion. Adults receive oral anti-virals.

Herpes Virus

Herpes is a contagious infection. Lesions tend to recur in the same site. Lesions start as a red skin area, and then form a macula and then crusts to a papula or blister. If the blister is kept moist it can remain infectious.

HPV

HPV or Human papillomas virus infects that outer skin cells There are 100 types of HPV. The virus is transmitted through direct contact.

Signs of HPV include common warts that are found on the bottoms of the feet, on the fingers, knees and elbows.

Most viral warts heal without treatment.

Bacterial Skin Infections

Bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes result in conditions such as impetigo, cellulitis and folliculitis as shown below.

• Boils and Carbuncles
• Cellulitis
• Ecthyma
• Folliculitis
• Impetigo

Boils (Furunculosis) and Carbuncles

Boils are round tender abscesses that are caused by a bacterial infection. A carbuncle is a inflamed mass on the head that contains the pus drainage from multiple hair follicles. A carbuncle is also an abscess.

Both are found in skin areas that contain hair follicles that are frequently exposed to perspiration and friction.

Both are usually caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The conditions are treated with oral antibiotics. Abscesses may need to be drained or drainage may be helped by use of a warm compress placed on the skin lesion.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is caused when a wound (insect bite, cut, abrasion, puncture wound) makes it possible for an infection to enter the skin. It is frequently found on the leg and can cause lymph node swelling (lymphangitis).

Cellulitis can also occur where there is a preexisting skin infection. Erysipelas (see picture below) affects the face and lower extremities. It s a bright red skin infection that is painful, and has a sharply defined area when seen against normal skin.  Before the infection appears the patient may experience vomiting, joint pain, headache, fever and chills.

Treatment involves the use of antibiotics and keeping the leg elevated.

Ecthyma

Ecthyma are ulcerated infectious lesions that extend through the skin. They may form a scar after healing. The cause is either  Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is a bacterial infection that occurs in the hair follicles. The pustules are itchy and are less than 5mm in size. It can occur anywhere on the body where there is hair.

Genital folliculitis may be sexually transmitted. It can be accompanied by the yeast infection on skin called candidiasis (fungal infection).

Most cases of folliculitis are caused by the bacteria Staphyloccus aureus. Causes include exposure in a swimming pool or hot tub.

The condition is treated with anti-bacterial soap, topical ointments or creams, or oral anti-staphylococcal medications.

Impetigo

Impetigo (impetigo contagiosum) is a bacterial skin infection frequently seen in children age 2 to 5. It can appear in individuals of any age.

Skin lesions have a characteristic "honey" color and look like a crusts. There is a form found in younger children that includes skin bullae which are raised bumps that are filled with a clear yellow fluid.  When the bullae rupture they leave behind a thick brown crust Bullae are found in the diaper area, legs, arms and face.

It is highly contagious through close contact.

MRSA

MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics. It can cause problems such as skin infections.

Fungal Skin Infections

Fungi or yeast cause bacterial skin infections such as Onychomycosis, Trichophyton rubrum, Candida albicans, Malassezia furfur, athlete’s foot, jock itch, Ringworm, and Tinea versicolor.

Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis)

Tinea Pedis is a fungal skin infection found on the feet. Athlete's foot is frequently contracted in moist public places such as a gym shower. The fungus does well in moist, warm, skin areas.

Symptoms of athlete's foot include redness and scaling between the toes.

Athlete's foot is treated with a Clotrimazole or Miconazole cream 2x daily for 4 weeks. Over the counter treatments such as Lotrimin are effective. If your case does not respond see a Doctor.

Jock Itch (Tinea cruris)

Jock itch is a fungal infection of the groin. There are several types of fungus that cause the infection.

Treatment requires a topical anti-fungal such as Lotrimin used for a period of 4 to 6 weeks.  If the infection does not respond to treatment a prescription oral antifungal may be needed. Oral medications are taken for 1 to 2 weeks.

Ringworm (Tineae Corporis)

Ringworm is a skin fungal infection that is usually seen on the chest, arms and legs. Symptoms include itch and the characteristic round shape.

Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection found in the nailbeds. It often starts as athlete's foot and then moves to the nails. It doesn't respond well to topicals.

Oral antifungals are frequently prescribed to treat Onychomycosis.

Diagnosis

To identify the pathogen causing an infection, a clinical skin examination is initially done, followed by laboratory examination of specimens obtained from skin scrapings, pus or exudates (fluid from the lesions). Microscopic examinations may involve the use of staining techniques and culturing methods to identify microorganisms. Ultraviolet light (Wood's lamp) or KOH fungal culture test may also be used for fungal infections.

Symptoms

Most types of infection are characterized by erythema (redness), edema, and other signs and symptoms of inflammation. These may include itching, scaling, and pain. Focal accumulation of pus or fluid may develop. Alternatively, there may be no signs of inflammation. Other appendages of the skin such as the nails and hair follicles may be affected, causing discoloration and thickening of nails, inflammation of hair follicles and hair loss. 

Infection may be localized or widespread, depending on the cause, and symptoms may vary from an inflammation confined to a small area of the skin or may involve the rest of the body, causing fever, malaise and inflammation of lymph nodes.

Treatment

Local infections on the skin are treated by repeated cleansing using soap or detergent, which contain an antimicrobial agent. Topical antiseptics like chlorhexidine may be used to eliminate the source of infection and prevent its spread to adjacent skin area or to other individuals.

Drying agents like aluminum chloride may be used to inhibit the overgrowth of other opportunistic microorganisms.

Keratinolytic agents like topical salicylatesare used to remove thick skin lesions that may harbor pathogens and to expose the infected skin surface to other local treatments.

Topical antimicrobial agents (antibiotics, antiviral and anti-fungal agents) are often used, but systemic therapy (oral or injected) may be needed for patients with more extensive skin disease.

Natural Remedies

Natural Remedies for Viral Infections on the Skin:

Molluscum Contagiosum Remedy: This Molluscum Contagiosum Remedy is made from 100% plant extracts. The product is applied to the skin 2x to 3x per day until the infected area is clear. This product helps to relieve the symptoms without using acids or chemicals found in other products. (source:Markum E, Baillie J (2012). "Combination of essential oil of Melaleucaalternifolia and iodine in the treatment of  molluscumcontagiosum in children". J. Drugs Derm. 11 (3): 161–165)

Wart Removal:

Wart Remover: A wart forms when a virus enters a small cut or wound on the body. The Naturasil Wart Remedy uses plant extracts to help dry up warts so that they flake away. The treatment is applied 3x to 4x times per day until the wart disappears. You should see progress in 3 to 6 weeks using this method.

Natural Remedies for Fungal Skin Infections:

Jock Itch Remedy: Phytoseptic for Jock Itch Remedy: Formulated with natural plant extracts to treat jock itch. Results are achieved in 1 to 2 weeks.

Athlete’s Foot Remedy: This Athlete’s Foot Remedy is formulated to reduce the discomfort associated with Athlete’s foot and to assist with the elimination of the fungal infection.

Tinea Versicolor: The Tinea Versicolor Remedy helps to eliminate the fungal infection on the skin surface and by penetrating the skin. It assists in relief of tinea versicolor including candida and onychomycosis. The product is made from 100% plant extracts. Product is applied 2x to 3x per day until the condition clears.

Brochures

References

Cevasco, N. and Tomecki, K. Common Infections. Cleveland Clinic.

National Skin Care Institute.

Aly, R. Microbial Infections of Skin and Nails. NCBI.

American Academy of Dermatology

CDC MRSA Infections