The human skin acts as a barrier that prevents disease-causing microorganisms from entering the body.

However, some pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even some parasites, can cause skin infections.

While most skin diseases are treatable, the appropriate treatment for each type of infection depends typically on the causative agent.

Common Causes

To get effective treatment for skin conditions, you must first identify the cause and symptoms of your disease. With that in mind, here are some of the most common causative agents:

  • Bacteria: Numerous healthy bacteria live on the skin without causing it harm. However, harmful bacteria can penetrate the top layer of the skin and cause infections. Individuals who have HIV/AIDS, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or open wounds usually are more susceptible to bacterial skin infections. The severity of the effects of bacterial skin infections depends on the type of bacteria that causes the disease. Some common bacterial infections of the skin, including Folliculitis, Cellulitis, and Staphylococcal scalded skin disorder. The primary treatment for bacterial skin infection is antibiotic drugs. However, the type or combination of antibiotic drugs used to treat skin infections varies from case to case.
  • Fungi: Just as in the case with bacteria, both useful and harmful fungi live on the human skin. Harmful fungi cause skin conditions that often spread rapidly all over the body and are, in fact, the most easily spread skin diseases. The infections spread from a sick person to a healthy person through either personal contact or sharing of personal effects such as clothes. Some of the most common fungal skin conditions include yeast infection and ringworm.
  • Parasites: The following are some examples of skin diseases caused by parasites:
    1. Creeping eruption: This occurs when one touches the skin after touching animal feces. A significant characteristic of this infection is extreme skin itchiness.
    2. Lice: This is a highly contagious skin infection caused by lice insects.
    3. Scabies: The most popular medicines for killing mites, which are the parasites that cause scabies, are antihistamines.
  • Viruses: Just like all other viral infections, viral skin conditions are incurable. However, there are varieties of drug therapies that can relieve the symptoms of the diseases. Here, some of the most common infections include shingles and cold sores, which typically result in patients developing blisters around the mouth and nose.

Less Common Causes

It is important to note that there are other less common causes of skin conditions. For example:

  • Lymph Node Infections: characteristics of lymph node diseases such as lymphangitis and lymphadenitis include blisters/eruptions on the skin. Lymph node infections may also have symptoms that are similar to those of more severe skin diseases such as leprosy. Bacterial infections in the lymphatic system that cause lymphatic drainage problems may also lead to skin lesions. In most cases, skin conditions that occur due to lymph nodes are easily treatable. However, if these infections occur together with lymph node swelling, they may be more challenging to treat.
  • Other Causes: Besides lymph node infections, other conditions that may cause unhealthy skin include MRSA and streptococcus infections, eczema, and albinism.

Do You Know – Location of Lymph Nodes?

Warnings

  • Consult a doctor as soon as possible if you notice any skin infection symptoms such as blisters and rashes to get treatment and prevent the infection from spreading further.
  • Avoid sharing personal items such as clothes with individuals who have skin infections since most skin diseases are highly contagious.

Citations

Conclusion

Overall, there are various causes and types of skin infections. However, with a timely, accurate diagnosis, you can get effective treatment and ultimately restore your skin’s health and appearance. You can also prevent most types of skin infections by keeping your skin clean and germ-free at all times.