Skin infections happen when the skin gets affected by a foreign microorganism like bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites. They can be mild or severe, with the latter requiring medical attention. The outer skin layer forms a protective barrier, preventing harmful microorganisms like bacteria and fungi from entering. When the skin barrier gets damaged, you are prone to infections.
Physical aggression like sunlight, smoking, extreme temperatures, wrong skin care products, and a cut or wound could increase the risk. You should use a skin infection cream to alleviate the effects and stop the infection from spreading to other body parts. Let us discuss the different skin infections and their treatment:
Bacterial infections
Bacteria like staphylococcus can enter through a cut or injury on the skin. A weakened immune system makes it easier for them to penetrate deep inside your skin layers. Common bacterial skin infections include impetigo, boils, leprosy, and cellulitis. Topical and oral antibiotics can treat bacterial infections. You can buy them online or from the nearest medical store.
Viral infections
These are caused by viruses, microbes that multiply only when inside a living organism like a human. The most common viral infections on the skin include chicken pox, shingles, measles, and hand, foot, and mouth disease. Anti-viral treatments are used for viral skin infections. In some cases, your dermatologist may remove the skin growth.
Fungal infections
They are caused by fungi, which feed on organic matter. Warm and wet surfaces breed fungal infections. Maintaining poor hygiene or wearing sweaty clothes can lead to this condition. Yeast infection, nail fungus, ringworm, oral thrush, and diaper rash are common skin infections caused by fungi. To reduce the risk, apply silver sulfadiazine, a drug that prevents infection in second or third-degree burns. This is the primary content in a burns cream used for treatment.
Parasitic infections
These are caused by parasites or organisms requiring a host for nutrition. When lice, bedbugs, and scabies live on your skin and lay eggs, they can cause parasitic infections. These are common in school children and adults. You can reduce the effects with a skin infection cream prescribed by the doctor and apply it as recommended.
What are the symptoms?
Skin infection involves symptoms like pain, swelling, blisters, pus from a cut, fever, etc. The condition requires medical attention when there is a high fever, swelling that spreads, and extreme pain.
Conclusion
Your body’s immune system fights off different bacteria with white blood cells. These form a defence system against a lot of microbes. But when the immune system is weakened, it is prone to infections and requires antibiotics to destroy bacteria and slow their growth.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are purely based on external research. For better healthcare, we would recommend you approach a specialist.