A skin infection refers to damage to the skin caused by the body’s defensive reactions to certain pathogens. Here bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites come into consideration as triggers. There are a variety of different dangerous skin infections.
What is a skin infection?
Skin infections refer to infections of the skin and associated areas of the body, including infections of the sebaceous glands, hair follicles, and so on. Accordingly, skin infections are not limited to the dermatological picture, but may extend far beyond it. In a broader sense, nail bed infections and, for example, foot and nail fungus are therefore also included. A skin infection is always caused by a pathogen, whereby bacteria are the most frequent triggers. In addition, a distinction must also be made between diseases that only affect the skin and skin infections that are symptoms of other diseases. Systemic diseases, for example, are also frequently associated with skin infections. The infections can be of very different types. They range from mild skin irritations to severe necrosis with pus formation. Local infections of the skin are not uncommon. Acne and occasional pimples, for example, affect almost everyone. A diaper rash affects almost every baby at least once during his or her lifetime.
Causes
Skin infections basically know four different types of pathogens: Bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. The majority of all infections can be traced back to pathogens entering the skin through the smallest injury. For example, streptococci or staphylococci can settle and lead to an infection. Individual sweat or sebaceous glands as well as hair follicles can also be affected, which then also leads to a (local) infection. In this context, we also speak of furuncles. If, in addition, there is no pus formation on the inside, abscesses are formed, which are also associated with skin infections. Acne is often promoted by other types of bacteria – mostly propioni bacteria. In principle, most bacteria can lead to purulent infections in the event of a skin lesion, as the bacteria lead to inflammation and immune reactions through their metabolic products. These infections can remain superficial or penetrate deeper into the tissue. Bacteria mainly cause inflammation of skin glands, purulent infections, acne and erysipelas. However, cellulitis (not to be confused with cellulite!) and more extensive wound infections are also caused by bacteria. Viral pathogens are the cause of chickenpox, warts, measles, shingles, genital warts and herpes. The viral pathogens often enter humans through body fluids. Among the fungi are numerous species that are native to the human skin flora anyway. In most cases, they only become fungal infections when the immune system of the affected person is (permanently) damaged or the skin flora has changed significantly. Then, for example, various yeasts and other skin fungi can cause fungal lichen. But fungi can also settle in the body, for example in the case of oral thrush. The most prominent example, however, is athlete’s foot (which can also affect hands, scrotum and other areas). In this case, filamentous fungi are responsible. Furthermore, fungi can also be in or under the nail. Parasites are the last to be mentioned and are the rarest causative agents of skin infections. Lice, bed bugs and the scabies mite are the most common pathogens here. The infection (or the inflammatory reactions) are secondary in the case of lice and bed bugs. In the case of scabies, the infection occurs because of the parasite in the skin. Sometimes skin infections occur due to opportunistic infections: Weakened skin (for example, due to dryness, disease, or an injury) then becomes a local focus of infection rather accidentally. It should also be noted that people have skin of varying strength and that the skin flora in some people almost favors certain infections. Skin infections must further be distinguished from infections that are more likely to occur due to skin injury. Examples include tetanus and rabies.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Skin infections are always manifested by a change in the appearance of the skin. In most cases, redness appears.Itching and unpleasant sensations in the affected areas are also common. Otherwise, the symptoms are very different. In the case of bacterial infections, there is sometimes pus formation, abscesses, extensive destruction of the skin appearance and so on. The skin may also be completely destroyed as a result of local necrosis. Viral infections, on the other hand, are never associated with pus or abscess formation and are often easier to classify. Especially the viral skin infections that lead to the so-called childhood diseases have a clear symptom pattern. These include chickenpox and measles, for example. Fungal infections vary greatly. Superficial infections of the skin are usually accompanied by the formation of spots. These can vary in size and be more or less raised. Sometimes the pigments of the skin are destroyed, which can lead to discoloration. Fungal skin infections are not always associated with itching. In most cases, they are even completely asymptomatic (with the exception of the aesthetic change). Foot and nail infections, on the other hand, are often associated with itching and not infrequently mean a very penetrating odor. Parasite infestation on the skin always causes itching. In the case of scabies, this can be particularly agonizing. A few examples of classic symptoms of known skin diseases should be listed here. For example, acne always means the formation of pus in sebaceous glands (usually on the face or upper trunk), which may be associated with pain. Extensive abscesses (for example, after severe wounds) can lead to immense pain and necrosis. Cellulitis is accompanied by severe redness of the skin, but may otherwise be asymptomatic. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease can cause blistering around the mouth, skin irritation of the hands and feet, and loss of appetite. Young children are especially affected by the viral infection. Scabies manifests itself by boring tunnels in areas that are particularly warm and well supplied with blood. Sometimes it can be seen as a small spot under the skin. The itching gets worse, especially at night.
Complications
Complications in the case of a skin infection are rare overall. Thus, most skin infections are considered harmless with adequate treatment, although treatment can often be protracted. Complications are only to be feared in severely immunocompromised patients and in large-area infections with pus and abscess formation. A poor immune system, for example, can always lead to a worsening of what is actually a harmless clinical picture. Bacteria and other pathogens can then multiply faster and cause even more damage more quickly. In the case of bacteria, a potentially fatal sepsis can occur under the most unfavorable circumstances. This can also be caused by particularly extensive abscesses. In addition, if a body part is too severely penetrated by an infection that may have originated on the skin, amputation may become necessary in rare cases. In most cases, the complications associated with a skin infection depend on whether the infection is local or spreads. For example, a single boil or pimple is unlikely to lead to complications, while fungal infections are capable of doing so. In addition, a common consequence of skin infections is that the affected areas of the skin are attacked and secondary infections occur. If no action is taken, loss of intact skin is risked. Overall, however, complications are rare. It should be noted that particularly susceptible skin types are not well equipped to deal with certain skin diseases (especially fungal infections) and the affected individuals suffer from them time and again. Further complications depend on the exact disease.
When should you go to the doctor?
Skin lesions (with the exception of single pimples or faint redness) are always a reason to see a doctor. This is not only because the skin lesions may represent skin infections. Rather, there are also various skin changes that indicate other diseases. For example, Lyme disease infection results in typical circles on the skin. But also other diseases from the idiopathic group of dermatological diseases can occur and require clarification. A typical example is neurodermatitis. Occasional rashes can occur due to allergen contacts. Here, too, it is worthwhile to repeat and clarify the diagnosis. In addition, some skin rashes are associated with infectious diseases.For example, with HIV, syphilis and the flu. A family doctor can be the first point of contact. He or she will be able to recognize clear clinical pictures. If the findings are not clear, a dermatologist can help. Warning signs that absolutely indicate a visit to the doctor are, for example, hardened skin areas, severe thickening, changes in sensitivity and circulatory disorders.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually made by looking at the skin and, if necessary, by tissue samples and swabs. However, visual diagnosis is usually sufficient to determine at least the type of pathogen. A medical history usually results if the skin lesions are infectious but not really assignable. If abscesses and similarly serious damage are present, it may be necessary to resort to imaging techniques. In rare cases, it is necessary to know the exact type of pathogen (for example, when the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics is not advised). Laboratory diagnostic tests are then used. Parasites can usually be detected quickly.
Treatment and therapy
With the exception of viral pathogens, treatment is cause-oriented. Thus, bacteria are treated with antibiotics. Against fungi, there are fungicidal agents that are either applied externally or used by tablets. Parasites can also usually be controlled by creams and ointments. In some cases it is necessary to intervene directly in the skin. Thus, treatment also consists of establishing adequate hygiene of the affected area. In most cases, abscesses are punctured. Severe necrosis usually requires surgical removal. Amputations are considered in case of extensive tissue atrophy with risk of sepsis. Treatment in the case of skin infection may be very prolonged, for example, if inflammatory acts or severe cases of fungal infection are involved. Therapy usually consists of a combination of medications and certain actions designed to preserve the skin’s appearance. This may mean the use of certain detergents, avoidance of certain substances and much more, and is to be determined on an individual basis. In some cases (especially in the case of fungal infestation), hair removal may also be useful in order to better combat any reservoirs of the pathogen. This is also useful in the case of head lice and crabs. In the case of viral pathogens, on the other hand, treatment is symptomatic.
Outlook and prognosis
Skin infections have a good prognosis in most cases. The pathogens can be readily identified in medical treatment by targeted testing and subsequently treated. Within a few weeks, therefore, a large number of patients experience symptom relief and subsequently freedom from symptoms. In principle, the sooner treatment is made possible, the better the prospects of recovery. In the case of some pathogens, there is an improvement in the skin lesions even without drug treatment. Good body cleansing and a change of clothing can already help to alleviate the symptoms. Nevertheless, depending on the cause of the skin infection, there may also be a worsening of health without treatment. The germs, viruses, fungi or bacteria can multiply and spread further on the skin within a short time. In addition, the risk of the pathogens entering the organism via open wounds increases. In severe cases, the patient is threatened with blood poisoning and thus a fatal course of the disease. It is therefore important for a good prognosis to determine the cause of the existing skin infection. Subsequently, the need for medical treatment can be decided on the basis of the test results. For some infections, therapies based on natural remedies are completely sufficient to achieve recovery.
Prevention
Preventing skin infections is difficult. It is true in the case of infections arising through wounds that wounds and scratches that occur should be cleaned quickly. This should be done with sterilizing agents if possible. It is advisable to cover the injured area. Furthermore, the skin flora and skin health can be supported. Dryness on the skin should be avoided. Sufficient fluids and skin care creams can help. In addition, the intake of vitamins A and E has a positive effect on the skin’s ability to regenerate. Special attention should also be paid to washing the skin. There is much discussion here about how much soap and other agents a skin flora can tolerate. This seems to be different for all people.For example, people with very sensitive and often attacked skin can try to use less soap when showering. Among other things, this maintains the skin’s natural acid protection and can support the skin’s natural flora (which competes with invading pathogens).
Aftercare
In the case of a skin infection, the possibilities and measures of aftercare in most cases depend very much on the exact infection, so that no general prediction can be made here. As a rule, skin infections can be treated relatively well, although early diagnosis is always necessary to prevent further complications or discomfort. The earlier a doctor is consulted for this disease, the better the further course is usually. Most infections on the skin are treated by applying creams or ointments. The affected person should pay attention to a regular application and also to the correct dosage of the means. If antibiotics or other medications are prescribed, these must also be taken and dosed regularly. When taking antibiotics, it should also be noted that they should not be taken together with alcohol, otherwise their effect will be significantly weakened. In severe cases, discussions with friends or with one’s own family are also highly advisable in order to prevent psychological upsets or depression. Contact with other sufferers can also be useful. In most cases, a skin infection does not reduce the life expectancy of the affected person.
What you can do yourself
For skin infections that are temporary and do not show symptoms, it is best to keep the affected areas clean. In addition, they should not be touched unnecessarily to speed up healing. Warm moist compresses can cause the pus to erupt more quickly in the case of pus formation, which leads to faster relief. In principle, people affected by skin infections can take any measures to promote skin health and the immune system. This mainly concerns a diet rich in vitamins and minerals. In addition, individual inflammations of the skin (pimples, inflamed glands, etc.) can be countered with drying and antiseptic agents. Examples are zinc ointments and turpentine oil. However, with remedies like these, their use should be discussed with a doctor. Fungal infections can be temporarily controlled with vinegar. However, this does not eliminate the already established spore reservoirs. Large skin lesions, such as those caused by a large abcess or a severe fungal infection, on the other hand, cannot be treated by oneself. A whole to the doctor can not be omitted here.
