Bacterial Skin Infections Exposed

There are several very common skin infections that you should be aware of. Bacteria live on the surface of your skin harmlessly until there is an opening on the skin caused by a cut, scrape, dry skin or other open wound like burns.

You may recognize some of the names of these bacterial infections: impetigo, abscess, cellulitis, ecthyma, and folliculitis.

Impetigo is a common childhood skin infection, which starts out as redness that progresses to blisters and then become crusted over. Impetigo is commonly found around the nose and on the face. Ecthyma is just a deeper version of impetigo seen mostly on the legs. Ecthyma can leave scar tissue.

If you have ever had a hair follicle become reddened, look like a pimple with pus than you may have had folliculitis. You can also get folliculitis on the face, your upper body trunk, the arms and also on your buttocks. A deeper infection is called furunculosis and when a bunch of them fuse together it is called carbuncles.

Abscesses are deep infections that look like a hole with pus in it, or a closed blister. There is usually a lot of pain involved.

Erysipelas is a common bacterial infection seen in very young children, older adults, individuals who have swollen legs or arms, and also those who are addicted to alcohol, or individuals who have diabetes. A fever usually accompanies erysipelas and the cheeks on the face become red, the skin feels hot and may be swollen. Cellulitis is the same infection but on a deeper level.

Treatment

Abscesses, ecthyma, folliculitis and impetigo can all be treated with the same creams (Fucidin® or Bactroban® ) when they are in the mild stage of the infection. If the infection has become more intensified oral antibiotics may be prescribed such as Cephalexin or Cloxacillin. Sometimes medications in the erythromycin family are used but can cause stomach upsets. If you touch the infection while applying the cream, remember to wash your hands with a antibacterial solution recommended by your doctor. Some commonly recommended solutions are: Hibitane®, Tersaseptic®, or Trisan®. It is important to stop the spread of these infections to family members or others and the best way to do this is to wash your hands.

Scarlet Fever

Did you know that scarlet fever is a bacterial skin infection caused by toxins produced by bacteria? Bacteria enter the skin through wounds, burns, or cuts. The bacterium most often responsible for scarlet fever is the streptococci bacteria. This is the same bacterium that causes strep throat.

The skin rash of scarlet fever looks like fine, sandpaper-like bumps that are small and red.

Scarlet fever occurs most often in small children, under the age of 18. Children easily spread scarlet fever through oral and nasal secretions.

The symptoms of scarlet fever are chills, coating on the tongue that is white, fever, headache, sore throat and vomiting. The rash will appear one or two days after the first symptom. Common places to see the rash are on the neck, forehead, facial cheeks, chest, and arms or on the back. The rash will slowly fade after three or four days. The symptoms of scarlet fever mimic other rashes and other diseases so be sure to get a doctor's opinion concerning the diagnosis so that proper treatment can begin. The best time to diagnose scarlet fever is when the rash is visible as it is a very unique looking rash. A throat swab will be taken to confirm the presence of strep throat.