The largest organ of the body is the skin. Its primary function is to protect your body from external infections and other injuries. With this said, it is just common sense that your skin would be infected, right?

Now, although skin infections are common, and some are harmless enough. The chances are still high that it might significantly affect the other areas of the body and develop more health complications.

With this said, it is important that you know how to prevent skin infections and how it should be treated should the day comes your skin got infected. Thus, in today’s article, let’s discuss some points about skin infection prevention and its treatment.

What is a Skin Infection?

Skin infections are caused by a wide variety of bacteria, germs, and viruses which symptoms vary from mild to severe. With this said, mild symptoms can be treated through the usage of over-the-counter medical attention, whereas, severe skin infections might require medical attention.

The skin gets infected through an injury or surgery. For instance, the said cuts make it easier for germs to invade the skin, which would lead to infection. On the other hand, bacteria, viruses, and fungi can all cause skin infections.

Now, bacteria are living microorganisms which surrounds us. With this said, bacteria can be good or bad, and the latter is the one which causes health complications.

For viruses, these are tiny particles which only thrives inside other living cells. Lastly, fungi are living organisms which survives from feeding off of other living things.

Types of Skin Infection

There are four different types of skin infections, and these include the following:

Bacterial Skin Infections. This type of skin infection often develops as a small red bump, which gradually increases in size. There are bacterial infections that are mild and easily treated with OTC topical antibiotics. While on the other hand, there are those that require oral antibiotics.

Examples of bacterial skin infections are as follows:

•       Leprosy
•       Impetigo
•       Boils
•       Cellulitis

Viral Skin Infections. This type of skin infection is mainly caused by a virus in which infection ranges from mild to severe. Here are the different types of viral infections:

•       Chickenpox
•       Measles
•       Warts
•       Shingles (herpes zoster)
•       Hand, foot, and mouth disease.

Fungal Skin Infection. This type of skin infection is primarily caused by a fungus which usually develops in damp areas of the body like the armpit or feet. There are some fungal infections that are not contagious and are typically non-life threatening.

The different types of fungal infections include:

•       Ringworm
•       Yeast infection
•       Athlete’s foot
•       Nail fungus
•       Diaper rash
•       Oral thrush

Parasitic Skin Infection. As for how its name suggests, this type of skin infection is caused by parasites. The infection is spread beyond the skin to the bloodstream and then later on, to the organs. This skin infection is not life-threatening; however, it can be uncomfortable.

Parasitic skin infections are as follows:

•       Bedbugs
•       Scabies
•       Lice
•       Cutaneous larva migrans

Symptoms of a Skin Infection

Skin infection symptoms vary depending on the type. For instance, common symptoms like rashes and redness of the skin. On the other hand, you may experience other symptoms like pain, tenderness, and itching.

Now, if you see, you have pus-filled blisters or a skin infection that only gets worse day by day. Then chances are, the skin infection can spread like wildfire, which would go beyond the skin. If this happens, then it is the time when skin infections can become life-threatening.

How to Prevent Skin Infections?

There are many ways how you can prevent skin infections and reduce the chances of developing one. And the very helpful tip for doing so is a simple yet important action that you should do on a day-to-day basisꟷ handwashing.

Other than that, prevention varies accordingly. For instance, in preventing athlete’s foot, then you should avoid making your feet or shoes damp, and you should always use clean and sanitize your things.

How Skin Infection is Treated

Skin infection treatment depends on the cause of the said infection and its severity since there is some type that may improve on their own within days or weeks.

With this said, bacterial infections are often treated with a topical antibiotic that is applied directly to the skin such as mupirocin which can be bought with a mupirocin coupon or with an oral antibiotic. If by chance, the strain of bacteria is resistant to treatment, then it may require an intravenous antibiotic administered by a doctor.

Takeaway

Skin infections should not be overlooked since it still threatens one’s health. Moreover, it can also be developed into a severe skin infection, which would eventually lead to life-threatening situations.

Lastly, you should always consult your doctor if you see any signs and symptoms of skin infections so that it would be appropriately addressed and be treated correctly.