The largest organ of the body is the skin. Its main function is to protect your body from external infections and other injuries. With this said, it makes sense that your skin would get infected, right?
Now, although skin infections are common, and a few are harmless. The likelihood is still high that it can significantly affect other areas of the body and develop more health complications.
Thus, it is vital for you to understand how to stop skin infections and how to treat them if one day your skin becomes infected. Therefore, in today’s article, let us discuss a few points about skin infection prevention and treatment.
What is a Skin Infection?
Skin infection caused by diverse kinds of bacteria, germs, and viruses whose symptoms vary from mild to harsh. Thus, mild symptoms can be treated through the use of over-the-counter medical attention, whereas harsh skin infections may require medical attention.
The skin becomes infected through injury or surgery. For example, these wounds make it easier for germs to invade the skin, which will cause infection. On the other hand, bacteria, viruses and fungi can all cause skin infections.
Now, bacteria are living microorganisms that surround us. Thus, bacteria can be good or bad, and it’s the latter that causes health complications.
For viruses, these are tiny particles that only thrive inside other living cells. Finally, fungi are living organisms that survive by eating other living things.
Types of Skin Infections
There are four types of skin infections, and these include the following:
Bacterial Skin Infections. This type of skin infection often develops as small red bumps, which gradually increase in size. There are mild bacterial infections that are easily treated with OTC topical antibiotics. While on the other hand, there are those who need oral antibiotics.
Examples of bacterial skin infections include the following:
- Leprosy
- Impetigo
- Boil
- Cellulitis
Viral Skin Infections. This type of skin infection is especially caused by viruses whose infections range from mild to harsh. Following are the different sorts of viral infections:
- Chicken pox
- Measles
- warts
- Chickenpox (shingles)
- Diseases of the hands, feet and mouth.
Fungal Skin Infections. This type of skin infection is primarily caused by a fungus that generally grows in damp areas of the body, such as the armpits or feet. There are some yeast infections that aren’t contagious and are generally not life threatening.
Different types of yeast infections include:
- Ringworm
- Fungal infection
- Athlete’s foot
- Nail fungus
- Diaper rash
- Oral thrush
Parasitic Skin Infections. As the name suggests, this kind of skin infection is caused by a parasite. The infection spreads beyond the skin to the bloodstream and then to the organs. This skin infection is not life-threatening; However, it can be uncomfortable.
Parasitic skin infections include the following:
- Bedbug
- Scabies
- Lice
- Skin larval migration
Skin Infection Symptoms
Symptoms of skin infections vary depending on the type. For example, common symptoms such as rashes and redness of the skin. On the other hand, you may experience other symptoms such as pain, tenderness and itching.
Now, if you look, you have pus-filled blisters or skin infections that are getting worse day by day. Then most probably, a skin infection can spread like wildfire, which will go beyond the skin. If this happens, then this is when the skin infection can become life-threatening.
How to Prevent Skin Infections?
There are many ways how you can stop skin infections and reduce the chances of developing one. And a really helpful tip for doing so is a straightforward but important action you should do every day ꟷ washing your hands.
Moreover, prevention varies accordingly. For example, in preventing athlete’s foot, you should avoid getting your feet or shoes damp, and you should at all times clean and sanitize your belongings.
How Skin Infections Are Treated
Treatment for skin infections depends on the reason behind the infection and its severity, as there are some types that get better on their own in a few days or weeks.
As such, bacterial infections are often treated with topical antibiotics applied directly to the skin such as mupirocin which can be purchased for a discount mupirocin coupon or with oral antibiotics. If by chance the strain of bacteria is resistant to treatment, then intravenous antibiotics may be needed given by a doctor.
take away
Skin infections shouldn’t be ignored because they still threaten one’s health. Moreover, it can even develop into a harsh skin infection, which will ultimately lead to a life-threatening situation.
Finally, you should at all times consult a doctor if you see signs and symptoms of a skin infection so that it can be treated and treated appropriately.
