Skin Infections

 

 

Skin infections can occur as the result of a wide variety of causes from bacteria and fungus to allergies and injuries. Severity can also range from the mild to those that present serious health risk. The most common skin infections are bacterial in nature and usually caused by a strain of Staphylococcus (Staph infection) or Streptococcus. It is important to get a proper diagnosis when skin problems occur due to infection and your doctor my use a variety of methods including cell cultures, scraping or, in severe cases, a biopsy.

 

The four most common forms of skin infection are Cellulitis, Impetigo, Folliculitis and Carbuncles (Carbuncles). Because most of these infections are the result of bacteria, antibiotics are frequently used. This includes topical antibiotics which are very effective in treating infections and conditions that are on the surface of the skin. Because these topical treatments can be applied directly to the skin, they can be localized and concentrated. These include Mupirocin, Neomycin, Polymyxin and Bacitracin.

 

Oral antibiotics can be used for more severe or advanced forms of skin infections. Such cases may be when the infection has spread deeper into the skin tissue or topical creams are proving to be ineffective. Things like Penicillin, Clindamycin and Dicloxacillin are some of the treatments that may be prescribed.

 

Treating Cellulitis

 

Treatment for Cellulitis is aimed at speeding up the healing process, relieve pain and keep the infection from spreading. This infection can spread to the lymph nodes so it is important to treat as early as possible with antibiotics. Topical, oral and intravenous methods can all be utilized depending on the state of the bacterial skin infection.

 

Impetigo Treatment

 

An Impetigo skin infection is a contagious skin rash that is characterized by tiny blisters that burst and leave red discoloration on the skin. Treating Impetigo consists of an antibiotic ointment or, if the condition has become severe, an oral antibiotic may be prescribed. It is advised that you keep the affected areas clean at all times during treatment using a good antiseptic cleanser. Because it can spread, it is also recommended that you keep the area covered with gauze or a similar material.

 

Treatment For Folliculitis

 

Skin infections associated with Folliculitis often appear as white heads on the skin near hair follicles. This condition can be superficial or severe (deeper in the skin). Eventually these fill with puss and can burst or seep. Treatment may consist of skin compresses and anti-itch creams in the beginning and progress to antibiotic creams and anti-fungal treatments depending on which form of the disease you have.

 

Treating Carbuncles

 

Carbuncles or skin boils are skin infections of the hair follicle that result in a large mass on the skin. These skin diseases may be filled with fluids or may be completely solid. Primarily caused by bacterial infections, these masses can be rooted deep in the skin and must be drained to be properly treated. Antibiotic creams may also be prescribed to reduce further infection during the healing process.

 

Mixing curd, lemon juice and baking powder can be a helpful natural application for some skin infections. This should only be considered a temporary treatment until proper medicine can be obtained.