What are the common skin infections? How do they look like? How are they treated? Get the answers to these questions and more in this detailed guide on skin infections and their images.

Understanding the Layers of Skin and Skin Infections

Your skin has three main layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous fat. When an infection occurs, the deeper the layer affected, the more severe the condition can be. The epidermis is the outermost layer that produces cells and gives your skin its color. The dermis lies beneath, producing oils to protect the skin and sweat to cool you down. It also has nerve endings that allow you to feel heat, cold, and pain. The subcutaneous fat layer attaches the skin to the muscles and bones, and helps regulate body temperature.

Cuts or injuries to the skin make it easier for germs to enter and cause infections. Viruses, bacteria, and fungi are the common culprits behind skin infections. Bacterial infections are often treatable with antibiotics, though some bacteria have become resistant. Fungal infections can be managed with medication or prescription creams, while viral infections may require antiviral medicines or removal of skin growths.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

MRSA is a serious bacterial skin infection that antibiotics don’t always effectively treat. It can cause abscesses, which are pockets of pus in the tissue. In such cases, the doctor may drain the abscess rather than prescribing antibiotics. People who have been in a hospital or nursing home are most susceptible to MRSA, as are those with frequent skin-to-skin contact, such as wrestlers or childcare workers.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that most commonly occurs on the lower leg, but can appear anywhere on the body. The affected area may become swollen, hot, and tender. If the infection spreads to deeper tissues or the bloodstream, it can become very serious. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience red streaks on the skin, fever, chills, and aches.

Impetigo

Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection that typically affects preschool and school-age children. It can cause blisters and sores on the face, neck, hands, or diaper area, often following irritation from a cut, scrape, or rash. Impetigo can be treated with antibiotics in the form of ointments, pills, or liquids.

Necrotizing Fasciitis

Also known as “flesh-eating bacteria,” necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening infection that spreads quickly and destroys the body’s soft tissue, including muscle, fat, and connective tissue. Individuals with a healthy immune system and good hygiene habits are less likely to develop this condition. Treatment involves intravenous antibiotics and surgical removal of the infected tissue.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicles, causing red, itchy, and burning skin, as well as tenderness and pain. It is commonly caused by bacteria, but can also be triggered by fungi or viruses. Mild cases of folliculitis often resolve on their own, but more severe cases may require antibiotic or antifungal creams.

Boils and Carbuncles

A boil is a painful, pus-filled sore that starts as a red, tender bump and eventually bursts. Boils are caused by a bacterial infection of one or more hair follicles, often through a cut or insect bite. A carbuncle is a cluster of boils under the skin. Warm compresses can help relieve pain and encourage drainage, but large or recurring boils may require a minor surgical procedure to drain the fluid.

Herpes Simplex Virus

The herpes simplex virus comes in two forms: type 1, which causes cold sores or fever blisters on the lips or mouth, and type 2, which is typically associated with genital sores. Both types are highly contagious, and the virus remains in the body even when no sores are present. Antiviral medications can help control outbreaks, but the virus cannot be cured.

Varicella-Zoster Virus (Chickenpox and Shingles)

The varicella-zoster virus is responsible for both chickenpox and shingles. Chickenpox causes a widespread, itchy rash and is highly contagious, but usually resolves within a week. After recovering from chickenpox, the virus can reactivate later in life and cause shingles, a painful, localized rash. Vaccines are available to prevent both chickenpox and shingles.

Pictures of Skin Infections

Medically Reviewed by Carol DerSarkissian, MD on February 22, 2023

Like an onion, your skin has layers. When it comes to infections, usually the deeper it is, the worse it can be. The first layer (epidermis) makes cells and gives you color. The second (dermis) makes oils to protect the skin and sweat to cool you. Its nerve endings help you feel heat, cold, and pain. The third layer (subcutaneous fat) attaches skin to muscles and bones, and helps control your temperature.

A cut in your skin — from an injury or surgery, for example — makes it easier for germs to get in, and that can lead to infection. Viruses, bacteria, and fungi can all cause them. Bacteria are living organisms that are all around you. Many are harmless or even good for you, but some can cause problems. Viruses are tiny particles that can only grow inside other living cells. Fungi are living organisms that feed off other living things.

Ones caused by bacteria usually can be cured with antibiotics, though some bacteria have become resistant to the drugs and are harder to kill. Medication or prescription creams can stop most fungal infections, and there are several ways to treat viruses. Your doctor may recommend antiviral medicines, or they might need to remove skin growths. In other cases, your symptoms may go away on their own.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterial infection that antibiotics don’t always stop. It can cause an abscess — pus in your tissue. If you have one, your doctor may drain it and not give you medicine. People who’ve been in a hospital or other facility, like a nursing home, are most likely to get MRSA. Those who often have skin-to-skin contact with others, like wrestlers or child care workers, can get it, too.

This is a serious bacterial skin infection that happens most often on your lower leg, but it can be anywhere on your skin. The area may get swollen, hot, and tender. It can be very serious if it’s in deeper tissue and gets in your bloodstream. If you have red streaks on your skin, fever, chills, and aches, see your doctor right away. In serious cases, you’ll need IV antibiotics — a needle in your hand or arm that puts medicine into a vein.

This is a bacterial infection that’s common in preschool and school-age children. It can cause blisters and sores on the face, neck, hands, or diaper area. It often happens after the skin has been irritated by another problem like a cut, scrape, or rash. It can be cleared up with antibiotics (in ointment, pill, or liquid form).

Also known as flesh-eating bacteria, this is a life-threatening infection that spreads quickly and kills your body’s soft tissue (muscle, fat, and other tissue that connects muscles to bones). If you’re healthy, have a strong immune system, and bathe or shower often, you’re not likely to get it. If you do have it, you’ll need antibiotics put directly into one of your veins, and a surgeon will remove the infected tissue. 

This happens when follicles — tiny pouches of skin that hold the roots of your hair — get inflamed and cause red, itchy, burning skin, tenderness, and pain. It’s usually brought on by bacteria, but fungi and viruses can cause it, too. Folliculitis often goes away on its own, but if it doesn’t, your doctor may give you an antibiotic or antifungal cream.

A boil is a sore that starts as a red, tender bump, gets more painful as it fills with pus, and finally bursts. It happens when bacteria infect one or more hair follicles, often getting in through a cut or insect bite. A carbuncle is a cluster of boils under your skin. A warm washcloth on the area is usually enough to ease pain and help boils drain, but if it’s large, your doctor may make a small cut to let the fluid out.

This is typically linked to sores in the genital area in both men and women, caused by a form of the herpes virus (type 2). Once you’re infected, the virus stays in your body, but it doesn’t always cause sores. Your doctor can give you medicine to control outbreaks. It’s contagious, so you shouldn’t have sex when you have an outbreak. If you do, tell your partner, and use a condom so you’re less likely to pass it on.

The type 1 herpes virus causes these on your lips or mouth, and they can be painful and embarrassing. Most people get the virus as children from contact with people who have it. The virus stays in your body, and sores may break out when you’re sick, anxious, or overtired. They usually go away on their own, but prescription drugs can help control outbreaks.

This virus affects your whole body and is mainly known for its itchy rash. Most of the time, it goes away within a week. It’s very contagious, so if you have it, stay home and rest until it’s gone. Once you’ve had chickenpox, you won’t get it again, but you may have an outbreak of shingles later in life — a painful, itchy rash. Vaccines can make you less likely to get chickenpox and shingles, or make you less sick if you do get one of them.

This virus causes smooth, firm, mounds of skin with a dimple in the center, and you get it from contact with people who have it or things they’ve touched. The itchy, painful sores can show up almost anywhere on your body — as small as a pinhead or as big as a pencil eraser. They usually disappear in 6 to 12 months, but your doctor may give you a cream or suggest office treatments that freeze or scrape the nodules away.

This fungal infection causes red, itchy, ring-shaped rashes on the top layer of your skin. It can show up anywhere on your body, and it’s very contagious. Many types of fungi can cause it, and they’re all around you. They can live on your skin as well as on floors, countertops, clothing, towels, and bedsheets. A number of antifungal creams, sprays, and pills can get rid of the infection, but it sometimes comes back in problem areas.

The same types of fungi that cause ringworm can cause this, too. It often shows up on the bottom of your feet and between your toes, where it’s dark and moist. It can make them itchy, dry, and cracked, and can sometimes cause bleeding. Many locker room floors are covered in it, so use rubber flip-flops at the gym — and clean them often. Keep your feet clean and dry to keep it from coming back.

Tiny creatures can burrow into your skin and feed or lay eggs, which can cause red, irritated, itchy skin. Lice are common parasites, especially in children. They affect the scalp and pass easily from person to person. Other skin parasites are mites (scabies) and hookworm, called “creeping eruption.” Special creams, lotions, or shampoos can get rid of them, and they don’t often cause long-term problems.

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

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15) Dr. P. Marazzi / Science Source

16) Eye of Science / Science Source

SOURCES:

American Academy of Dermatology: “The layers of your skin,” “Scabies. ”

CDC: “Genital Herpes – CDC Fact Sheet,” “Necrotizing Fasciitis: A Rare Disease, Especially for the Healthy,” “Ringworm.”

John Hopkins Medicine: “Parasitic Infections of the Skin.”

Mayo Clinic: “Molluscum Contagiosum,” “Cellulitis,” “Folliculitis,” “Boils and carbuncles,” “Shingles.”

Nemours Foundation: “Impetigo,” “Chickenpox,” “Ringworm.”

Stanford: “Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in the Inpatient Setting.”

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Rosacea, Hives, Psoriasis, and More

Medically Reviewed by Debra Jaliman, MD on February 25, 2023

These red welts usually itch. They can be a sign of an allergic reaction, but stress or an illness can cause them, too. A hive will usually go away within a day, but a new one could pop up in its place. You may only get a few, or you could have a bunch that connect and spread across your body. If they get worse or don’t go away, see your doctor for treatment. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, get medical help ASAP.

This prickly red rash, which may be bumpy and is usually itchy, happens in hot, humid weather. It tends to show up in places where your skin rubs together, like your armpits and groin. It’s common in babies but can also happen to adults who get sweaty and overheated. It usually goes away on its own in 3-4 days. If it doesn’t, or if it starts to swell or ooze, call your doctor.

This happens when your skin reacts to something it touches. Sometimes it’s an allergic reaction (such as to poison ivy), and sometimes it’s irritation (from perfumes in soap, for example). Contact dermatitis can be a rash, hives, dry skin, or blisters. Your skin can turn thick or flaky, and it may darken or crack. Sometimes it takes time to figure out what’s caused it. Work with a dermatologist, especially if it gets worse.

There are a few types of this disease, but the most common, plaque psoriasis, shows up as raised red patches with a scaly layer of dead skin cells on top. You’ll usually see it on your scalp, knees, elbows, and lower back, but the blotches can appear anywhere on the body. Most people first notice it between the ages of 15 and 35, but the disease can crop up at any time.

The condition causes patches of very dry, itchy skin. Over time, these areas can thicken and turn lighter or darker than the rest of your body. Most people who have eczema first get it before age 5, and about half will outgrow it by the time they’re adults. But it’s not uncommon for adults to start having symptoms.

If you notice blotches or flushing across your cheeks, nose, chin, or forehead, you might have this skin condition. Sometimes, small pimple-like bumps form and blood vessels get more visible. Usually, it starts after age 30, then gets redder and more constant. Many things can trigger rosacea or make it worse, including drinking alcohol, eating spicy foods, stress, and menopause. There’s no cure, but treatments can control the symptoms.

This painful rash with blisters usually shows up as a single stripe on one side of the body. (You might have tingling or itching a few days before you see it.) It’s caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox — the virus stays in your body and, even decades later, can flare up and cause shingles. It’s most common in people over 60. It should clear up in 2-4 weeks, but see your doctor to get medicine to prevent lasting nerve pain.

Also called broken capillaries, these are tiny blood vessels, located close to the surface of the skin, that get larger and more visible. The result is blotchiness and uneven skin tone on areas like the legs and face. Spider veins have many causes and are twice as common in women.  They’re not harmful, but you can have them treated if you don’t like how they look.

These brown or gray-brown patches on the face come from sun exposure, hormone changes, or both. Melasma is much more common in women — pregnancy or birth control pills are common triggers. The patches usually show up on the forehead, upper lip, cheeks, chin, and nose. They can fade on their own after pregnancy or once you stop taking the pill, but treatments can help, too. A broad-spectrum sunscreen and strict sun avoidance will keep them from getting darker.

With this condition, patches of your skin lose color and appear lighter. Sometimes it happens on only a few parts of the body, but vitiligo can cover large areas (even the hair, eyes, and inside of the mouth). It happens when the cells that give skin and hair their color, called melanocytes, die. Vitiligo affects men and women of all races. A few different treatments may restore your skin.

This fungal infection, which is especially common in tropical climates, makes white, pink, red, or brown spots form on the skin. They can show up anywhere on the body, and sometimes they’re dry, scaly, and itchy. Tinea versicolor is most common in teens and young adults with oily skin. A doctor can prescribe medicine, cleansers, or pills to treat it.

When you drink, especially if you have one too many, your face can flush and look blotchy. And if you have a hangover the next day, the dehydration will make any redness worse. If your skin gets very red when you imbibe, you may have alcohol flush syndrome, which is caused by an enzyme problem (it’s common in people of East Asian descent). Or you could have rosacea, and alcohol triggers your symptoms.

Whether it’s with a chemical peel or a scrub, exfoliation removes dead skin cells and leaves your skin looking brighter and refreshed. But doing it too often or too aggressively can make your face redder, make skin problems worse, and cause dark spots to show up. Ask a dermatologist about the best way to exfoliate your skin type.

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

1) Thinkstock

2) Getty

3) Getty

4) Thinkstock

5) Thinkstock

6) Thinkstock

7) Thinkstock

8) Thinkstock

9) Dermnet

10) Getty

11) Getty

12) Getty

13) Thinkstock

SOURCES:

National Psoriasis Foundation: “About Psoriasis.”

American Academy of Dermatology: “Psoriasis,” “Atopic dermatitis,” “Hives,” “Contact dermatitis,” “Melasma,” “Vitiligo,” “Tinea versicolor,” “Evaluate before you exfoliate. ”

American Academy of Family Physicians: “Heat Rash,” “Exercise-induced Urticaria.”

National Rosacea Society: “All About Rosacea,” “Factors That May Trigger Rosacea Flare-Ups,” “Tips for Controlling Alcohol Flare-Ups.”

CDC: “About Shingles (Herpes Zoster).”

American Osteopathic College of Dermatology: “Spider Veins.”

Stanford Health Care: “Telangiectasia.”

Alcohol Health & Research World: “Alcohol Hangover: Mechanisms and Mediators.”

International Rosacea Foundation: “Rosacea Symptoms.”

National Institutes of Health: “Alcohol Flush Signals Increased Cancer Risk among East Asians.”

Cleveland Clinic: “Flushing.”

Inflammation & Allergy – Drug Targets: “Brain-Skin Connection: Stress, Inflammation and Skin Aging.”

© 2023 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. View privacy policy and trust info

Skin infections – health articles

11/10/2022

Skin infections are divided into bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic. These include diseases such as scabies, warts, herpes, fungal diseases, lichen, etc.

For the development of the disease is not enough only the causative agent of infection. For its vigorous activity and reproduction, certain conditions are necessary, for example, a weakening of the immune system. If a person has strong immunity, the disease may not be.

Causes

Infection is one of the leading causes of skin diseases. The infection multiplies, causing an inflammatory response. In addition, any infection releases toxins into the body, which disrupt the filter organs. Toxins released by infections are primary and aggressive allergens. The presence of infections in the body significantly increases the allergic component. The organs responsible for detoxification (liver, kidneys, lymphatic system) with a huge amount of toxins will no longer cope with their work, fully perform their functions. In fact, skin diseases are a pathological way of percutaneous elimination of toxins from the body.

Types of skin infections and their symptoms

Scabies – a characteristic symptom is itching at night, which prevents sleep and is very annoying. Also, scabies can be recognized by small itchy pimples and a gray line extending from them – this is the course of the tick.

Warts. In fact, they are a benign tumor caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are several types of warts: common, genital warts, plantar, flat and senile. This disease is very common. They are skin neoplasms, often small. Although sometimes they can merge and grow to impressive sizes.

Herpes. In this case, we are talking about herpes type 1. There are also other types of herpes viruses, but they no longer belong to skin diseases, but more affect the internal organs.

So, herpes simplex virus type 1 (or herpes simplex virus) is an infection that lives in almost all of us. According to statistics, 9 out of 10 people on earth are infected with herpes. The first symptoms: small sores can be seen on the lips or near the nose. In the first hours, the skin begins to swell and hurt a little, causing discomfort. Symptoms of an exacerbated herpes virus, in addition to skin manifestations, may resemble a common cold – weakness, fever, etc.

Fungal diseases. Fungi, which, getting on the skin, hair and nails of a person, cause their change, a huge amount. You can get a fungal infection, like other skin diseases, through contact with a carrier (including animals), when using common hygiene items, shoes, as well as in baths and pools, that is, where it is warm and damp, especially if there are mechanical damage to the skin.

Symptoms of fungal diseases can be: itching, burning, redness, peeling, weeping, cracks, peeling of scales, formation of round plaques with a scaly raised rim, changes in the color and texture of the nail, the appearance of well-defined foci on the hairy surface of the skin, in which the hair becomes dull, brittle and eventually falls out, the appearance of black spots, severe seborrhea or dandruff.

Lichen. These are diseases that can also be caused by viral microorganisms and fungi. Infectious varieties include ringworm, pink, multi-colored (or pityriasis). A common symptom of these diseases is a rash in the form of scaly plaques of a changed color and completely different size, causing itching.

Erythema multiforme exudative. Infectious disease with an acute course. The seasonal form develops more often in spring or autumn. It is caused by an infection against the background of cold factors.

The toxic-allergic form occurs due to intoxication of the body with drugs or after vaccination (more often in children).

Both forms are characterized by skin rashes in the form of pinkish spots or slightly raised papules. Bubbles filled with serous and sometimes bloody contents may appear in their middle. The disease is also accompanied by general malaise, fever. Often there is pain in the throat and joints.

Ostiofolliculitis or staphylococcal impetigo. The causative agent is often Staphylococcus aureus. The main cause of the disease is a violation of the rules of hygiene, excessive sweating. It is characterized by the appearance on the skin of small semicircular rashes filled with purulent contents. They are about the size of a pinhead. In the center of the abscess is a hair.

Accompanied by painful sensations in the area of ​​rash dislocation. In the absence of adequate treatment, the infection can spread deep into the epidermis, provoking the development of folliculitis, the appearance of boils.

Pyoderma. A wide group of pustular diseases, the causative agent of which are bacteria: streptococci, staphylococci and pathogenic fungi.
The main symptom is follicles that appear mainly on the skin of the face, back, chest, armpits and scalp. If you do not seek medical help in a timely manner, there is a high risk of developing sepsis, a life-threatening condition.
Actinomycosis. Chronic bacterial skin disease.
The main symptom is the appearance under the skin of a dense tuberous neoplasm (infiltrate), which consists of several nodules that have merged together. The skin in this area acquires a bluish-reddish tint. With the development of the disease, the infiltrate breaks through, forming fistulas from which purulent contents are released.

Thrush or yeast stomatitis – often diagnosed in newborns or debilitated children. It is characterized by the appearance of a white film (plaque) on the oral mucosa.

Diagnosis

In the diagnosis of skin diseases, it is especially important to detect latent infections that deprive the immune system of the ability to function normally. The condition of the internal organs, the disruption of which can cause skin diseases, is also assessed.

Therefore, examination for skin diseases consists of a carefully verified list of tests and examinations by doctors of other specializations (for example, a cosmetologist-dermatologist), which are designed not only to detect skin diseases (often this can be done with the naked eye), but to identify the true causes of all disorders present in the body. With such a systematic approach, the treatment carried out is enough to save the patient from skin disease for a long time, and often for life.

Treatment

Infectious diseases are treated in a complex manner. Conventionally, all treatment is divided into several stages, which depend on the established diagnosis and the individual characteristics of the organism of each patient.

Various methods of treatment are used: medications, including antibiotics of different groups. Homeopathic remedies, phyto and physiotherapy methods are also used. In certain cases, cryotherapy procedures are effective. Depending on the disease, ultraviolet blood irradiation may be needed. In addition, drugs are prescribed that improve the functioning of internal organs and strengthen the immune system.

Certain ointments, gels, mashes and creams are used externally. As an additional treatment, effective folk remedies are used.

Treatment is usually carried out on an outpatient basis, although in especially severe cases, a referral to a hospital is indicated.

Viral diseases of the skin | NEO

Viral skin diseases are caused by exposure to certain types of viruses.

The most common diseases include:

1. Viral warts (warts, papillomas – viral infection)
2. Dermatitis (allergic, seborrheic, perioral, eczema)
3. Acne (acne, pimples, blackheads)
4. Herpetic infections 90 081
5. Herpes zoster

Viral warts is one of the most common skin diseases. It occurs when the papillomavirus invades human skin cells. At the site of introduction, growths in the form of nodules appear. The virus can get on the skin through close contact with a sick person (handshake) or through contact with objects that he used (dishes, gadgets, etc.). The incubation period lasts from 2 to 6 months.

Depending on the type of virus that caused the wart, it can have a different shape, color and placement on the body. There are several types of viral warts:

• Flat warts
• Plantar warts
• Warts vulgaris

Treatment of warts in the Medical Center “NEO”

Currently, the only radical method is the removal of existing growths with the help of drugs or physical impact. The following methods apply:

• Cryodestruction (liquid nitrogen applications)
• Electrocoagulation
• Laser coagulation
• Chemode Structure (drug applications)

All of the above methods can be used as monotherapy or in combination with each other.

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin disease caused by one of the smallpox viruses. Most often, children aged from one to 10 years get sick. The route of infection with molluscum contagiosum is contact. The threat is not only an infected person, but also household items. In adults, the sexual route of infection is possible with the localization of rashes on the skin of the genital organs. The incubation period is from 2 weeks to 6 months.

radiotherapy

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Herpetic infection is a skin disease caused by the herpes simplex virus type I. Infection occurs by airborne droplets and household contact from infected patients and asymptomatic virus carriers. The incubation period lasts from 2 to 14 days. Most often, the oral mucosa, skin of the face, trunk and upper limbs are affected. Rashes appear in the form of vesicles with transparent contents, more often painful on palpation. The herpes simplex virus type I persists in the body throughout life. Under the influence of provoking factors (hypothermia, stress, chronic diseases, etc.), the disease can take a relapsing course.

Therapies:

• Antivirals
• Immunomodulators
• Herpetic vaccine

900 02 Herpes zoster is a skin disease caused by the Varicella zoster virus (family of herpes viruses). The virus is transmitted by airborne droplets. Infection comes from a person who has shingles or chickenpox.

At the first contact with the virus, more often in early childhood, the clinical picture of chickenpox develops. After recovery, the virus remains in the body, hiding from the nerve endings. Activation of the virus can occur after several decades, under the influence of provoking factors (drafts, hypothermia, stressful situations, etc.)

On the skin of the trunk or the skin of the face, along the innervation of this nerve, sharply painful grouped vesicles with transparent contents appear. Soreness can persist for a long time after the disappearance of the rash.

You get shingles, like chicken pox, once in a lifetime, there are no relapses.