Bacterial Skin Infections

Overview

Bacterial skin infections are well-known and quite common among the population. They are usually caused by staphylococcus and streptococcus. Other types of skin infections are caused by viral, parasite or fungi. Some clinical features or presentations related to bacterial skin infections are redness, itchiness, irritation, inflammation, burning sensation, pain, and pus discharge. The examples of bacterial skin infections are folliculitis, furuncles, abscess, cellulitis, carbuncle, and impetigo. The clinical presentations differ based on the type of infection. Bacterial skin infections are contagious and some may affect others through direct skin contact or by sharing clothes or towels. Immunocompromised people or patients with immune system disorders are at higher risk to get bacterial skin infections. Other risk factors are elderly, skin injury, repeated scratching and diabetes. A bacterial skin infection can be treated with antibiotics taken orally, topical antibiotics and intravenous antibiotics for a more severe case. However, some cases such as abscess, carbuncle, and cellulitis need a surgical intervention.