Infected eczema: Symptoms, treatment, and prevention

Infected eczema occurs when a virus or bacteria gets into an open eczema wound. These infections worsen existing symptoms.

Eczema is more common in infants and children than in adults, although anyone can have the condition.

Sometimes, patches of eczema can become infected. This happens when a virus or bacteria gets into an open wound or cracked skin at the site of a rash. It is important for a doctor to treat infected eczema as soon as possible.

This article details what causes these infections, their signs and symptoms, and the available treatment options.

A variety of viruses, bacteria, and fungi can cause infected eczema. The following are some of the more common microbes responsible for causing infected eczema:

• Staphylococcus aureus (staph infection)
• fungal infections, such as Candida albicans
• herpes simplex virus (HSV)

S. aureus is a type of bacteria present on the skin of most people with eczema. It also lives on the skin of 20–30% of all adults without causing symptoms.

S. aureus can infect any area of broken skin. With staph infections, eczema spreads more quickly and makes healing more difficult.

C. albicans can cause fungal infection in eczema. Candida microorganisms can contribute to the onset and worsening of eczema. They are the most common cause of fungal infection in the diaper area of infants.

HSV can also cause infections in people with eczema, so it is a good idea for these individuals to avoid close contact with people with cold sores where possible.

Eczema herpeticum is the secondary infection of the skin by HSV. It occurs in about 3% of all people with atopic dermatitis. Without the correct treatment, it can cause serious consequences and even be life threatening.

Most people with infected eczema will have an open sore in the affected area. The open sores usually develop because a person has been scratching their skin.

An infection will typically cause inflammation of the skin. This may result in a patch of eczema becoming more swollen, discolored, and, often, tender to the touch.

A person with infected eczema may also experience the following:

• a burning sensation
• extreme itching
• fluid drainage
• blistering
• white or yellow pus

In more advanced cases, a person may experience severe symptoms, including:

• fever
• chills
• aches
• fatigue

If a person experiences any of these symptoms at the eczema site, they should seek medical intervention to treat the infection.

Infected eczema can lead to several complications. These will vary depending on the type of infection a person has.

Some common complications of infected eczema include:

• prolonged eczema flare
• increased itchiness and blistering
• scarring

Infected eczema can also lead to more dangerous complications. For example, if left untreated, a serious staph infection may cause sepsis, a potentially life threatening type of blood infection.

In addition, severe eczema herpeticum can cause infections in the cornea of the eye, which may lead to blindness. If eczema herpeticum spreads to the internal organs, such as the brain, lungs, or liver, it can lead to organ failure. However, this is rare.

If a person has chronic eczema flares, they should speak with their doctor if they develop a fever, experience chills, have low energy, or show signs of infection, such as oozing blisters and excessive itchiness.

If a child or infant develops symptoms of infected eczema, their parent or caregiver should take them to a doctor immediately.

Treatment for infected eczema varies based on the type of infection present. If the cause of the infection is a virus, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication. For example, people with eczema herpeticum will require immediate treatment with valacyclovir (Valtrex).

In cases of bacterial infections, a doctor may choose to use either an oral or topical antibiotic. They may also prescribe a steroid cream to reduce associated swelling and discoloration.

Fungal infections require antifungal creams or medication. Similarly, a steroid cream may help with a fungal-infected eczema rash. Some antifungal creams that may help with the infection are available over the counter.

Some people or caregivers may want to supplement medication with natural alternatives to treat or prevent infections.

People seeking natural remedies for infected eczema may choose to try the following:

• essential oils, such as evening primrose and tea tree
• herbal supplements for eczema flares
• natural soaps and creams with emollients
• oatmeal baths to help soothe and dry the eczema

However, it is important to note that these natural remedies should not take the place of prescribed treatment. People should always follow the advice of medical professionals first.

A person can help prevent infected eczema by avoiding scratching and taking steps to reduce eczema flares. These steps include:

• Applying an emollient every day: Emollients are moisturizing products that help keep the skin intact and prevent it from drying out, easing eczema symptoms. Keeping the skin moisturized can help stop skin cracking and sores forming, reducing the risk of eczema becoming infected from outside sources. Learn more about emollients here.
• Practicing good hygiene: This is essential when applying creams and other topical ointments. Where possible, a person with eczema should remove cream from a tub or jar with a clean implement instead of their fingers to reduce the chance of bacteria entering the container.
• Taking care of flare-prone areas: For flares occurring in skin folds or areas that are naturally more moist, people should try to keep these areas dry and clean.
• Treating flares accordingly: A person should follow the recommended treatment plan to help manage and reduce any flares.

Here are answers to some questions people often ask about eczema infections.

How do you identify an eczema infection?

Signs and symptoms of an eczema infection include inflammation of the skin with swelling, discoloration, and tenderness in an area affected by eczema.

There may also be:

• burning and severe itching
• fluid drainage with white or yellow pus
• blistering

What common irritants can trigger an eczema flare?

Common irritants that may trigger an eczema flare include:

• dust, which can carry dust mites
• food allergens, such as eggs, peanuts, soy, and wheat
• chemicals, such as household cleaners
• cosmetics products‌, including soaps
• certain fabrics, such as acrylic and wool
• humidity

When eczema occurs, an infection can result if there is a break in the skin, such as due to scratching.

What else can cause eczema to flare up?

The outlook for a person with infected eczema is generally positive. However, people should still consult a doctor immediately if they experience symptoms of infected eczema. The quicker a person recognizes and responds to symptoms, the better the treatment outcome.

Doctors can often treat the causes of infected eczema with prescription medications. Depending on what is causing the infection, treatments may include antibiotics, antivirals, antifungal medication, anti-inflammatory creams, or steroid injections.

Once a person remedies the underlying cause of their eczema infection, they can then take steps to prevent a reoccurrence.

Parents or caregivers of children with eczema should monitor them and remind them not to scratch inflamed areas. Anyone who suspects that a child has a skin infection should seek medical advice immediately.

Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can infect patches of eczema if there are open wounds or sores.

When this happens, a person’s eczema may become inflamed and sore to the touch. They may also experience more severe symptoms, such as dizziness and fever, depending on what caused the infection.

Doctors can treat most causes of infected eczema with prescription medications, creams, and injections. The quicker a person treats infected eczema, the better the outcome.

People can reduce their risk of infected eczema by keeping their skin moisturized and not scratching eczema patches. These actions help keep the skin intact, preventing infection from outside sources.

Infected eczema: Symptoms, treatment, and prevention

Infected eczema occurs when a virus or bacteria gets into an open eczema wound. These infections worsen existing symptoms.

Eczema is more common in infants and children than in adults, although anyone can have the condition.

Sometimes, patches of eczema can become infected. This happens when a virus or bacteria gets into an open wound or cracked skin at the site of a rash. It is important for a doctor to treat infected eczema as soon as possible.

This article details what causes these infections, their signs and symptoms, and the available treatment options.

A variety of viruses, bacteria, and fungi can cause infected eczema. The following are some of the more common microbes responsible for causing infected eczema:

• Staphylococcus aureus (staph infection)
• fungal infections, such as Candida albicans
• herpes simplex virus (HSV)

S. aureus is a type of bacteria present on the skin of most people with eczema. It also lives on the skin of 20–30% of all adults without causing symptoms.

S. aureus can infect any area of broken skin. With staph infections, eczema spreads more quickly and makes healing more difficult.

C. albicans can cause fungal infection in eczema. Candida microorganisms can contribute to the onset and worsening of eczema. They are the most common cause of fungal infection in the diaper area of infants.

HSV can also cause infections in people with eczema, so it is a good idea for these individuals to avoid close contact with people with cold sores where possible.

Eczema herpeticum is the secondary infection of the skin by HSV. It occurs in about 3% of all people with atopic dermatitis. Without the correct treatment, it can cause serious consequences and even be life threatening.

Most people with infected eczema will have an open sore in the affected area. The open sores usually develop because a person has been scratching their skin.

An infection will typically cause inflammation of the skin. This may result in a patch of eczema becoming more swollen, discolored, and, often, tender to the touch.

A person with infected eczema may also experience the following:

• a burning sensation
• extreme itching
• fluid drainage
• blistering
• white or yellow pus

In more advanced cases, a person may experience severe symptoms, including:

• fever
• chills
• aches
• fatigue

If a person experiences any of these symptoms at the eczema site, they should seek medical intervention to treat the infection.

Infected eczema can lead to several complications. These will vary depending on the type of infection a person has.

Some common complications of infected eczema include:

• prolonged eczema flare
• increased itchiness and blistering
• scarring

Infected eczema can also lead to more dangerous complications. For example, if left untreated, a serious staph infection may cause sepsis, a potentially life threatening type of blood infection.

In addition, severe eczema herpeticum can cause infections in the cornea of the eye, which may lead to blindness. If eczema herpeticum spreads to the internal organs, such as the brain, lungs, or liver, it can lead to organ failure. However, this is rare.

If a person has chronic eczema flares, they should speak with their doctor if they develop a fever, experience chills, have low energy, or show signs of infection, such as oozing blisters and excessive itchiness.

If a child or infant develops symptoms of infected eczema, their parent or caregiver should take them to a doctor immediately.

Treatment for infected eczema varies based on the type of infection present. If the cause of the infection is a virus, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication. For example, people with eczema herpeticum will require immediate treatment with valacyclovir (Valtrex).

In cases of bacterial infections, a doctor may choose to use either an oral or topical antibiotic. They may also prescribe a steroid cream to reduce associated swelling and discoloration.

Fungal infections require antifungal creams or medication. Similarly, a steroid cream may help with a fungal-infected eczema rash. Some antifungal creams that may help with the infection are available over the counter.

Some people or caregivers may want to supplement medication with natural alternatives to treat or prevent infections.

People seeking natural remedies for infected eczema may choose to try the following:

• essential oils, such as evening primrose and tea tree
• herbal supplements for eczema flares
• natural soaps and creams with emollients
• oatmeal baths to help soothe and dry the eczema

However, it is important to note that these natural remedies should not take the place of prescribed treatment. People should always follow the advice of medical professionals first.

A person can help prevent infected eczema by avoiding scratching and taking steps to reduce eczema flares. These steps include:

• Applying an emollient every day: Emollients are moisturizing products that help keep the skin intact and prevent it from drying out, easing eczema symptoms. Keeping the skin moisturized can help stop skin cracking and sores forming, reducing the risk of eczema becoming infected from outside sources. Learn more about emollients here.
• Practicing good hygiene: This is essential when applying creams and other topical ointments. Where possible, a person with eczema should remove cream from a tub or jar with a clean implement instead of their fingers to reduce the chance of bacteria entering the container.
• Taking care of flare-prone areas: For flares occurring in skin folds or areas that are naturally more moist, people should try to keep these areas dry and clean.
• Treating flares accordingly: A person should follow the recommended treatment plan to help manage and reduce any flares.

Here are answers to some questions people often ask about eczema infections.

How do you identify an eczema infection?

Signs and symptoms of an eczema infection include inflammation of the skin with swelling, discoloration, and tenderness in an area affected by eczema.

There may also be:

• burning and severe itching
• fluid drainage with white or yellow pus
• blistering

What common irritants can trigger an eczema flare?

Common irritants that may trigger an eczema flare include:

• dust, which can carry dust mites
• food allergens, such as eggs, peanuts, soy, and wheat
• chemicals, such as household cleaners
• cosmetics products‌, including soaps
• certain fabrics, such as acrylic and wool
• humidity

When eczema occurs, an infection can result if there is a break in the skin, such as due to scratching.

What else can cause eczema to flare up?

The outlook for a person with infected eczema is generally positive. However, people should still consult a doctor immediately if they experience symptoms of infected eczema. The quicker a person recognizes and responds to symptoms, the better the treatment outcome.

Doctors can often treat the causes of infected eczema with prescription medications. Depending on what is causing the infection, treatments may include antibiotics, antivirals, antifungal medication, anti-inflammatory creams, or steroid injections.

Once a person remedies the underlying cause of their eczema infection, they can then take steps to prevent a reoccurrence.

Parents or caregivers of children with eczema should monitor them and remind them not to scratch inflamed areas. Anyone who suspects that a child has a skin infection should seek medical advice immediately.

Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can infect patches of eczema if there are open wounds or sores.

When this happens, a person’s eczema may become inflamed and sore to the touch. They may also experience more severe symptoms, such as dizziness and fever, depending on what caused the infection.

Doctors can treat most causes of infected eczema with prescription medications, creams, and injections. The quicker a person treats infected eczema, the better the outcome.

People can reduce their risk of infected eczema by keeping their skin moisturized and not scratching eczema patches. These actions help keep the skin intact, preventing infection from outside sources.

causes and treatment in St. Petersburg

The author of the article: Skosareva Marina Yuryevna

Chief physician of the clinic. Dermatovenereologist, cosmetologist, physiotherapist, trichologist, health and public health specialist

Social network profile: Instagram

Time to read: 12 min

Publication date: 05/11/22

Effective treatments for eczema

Cryotherapy

NeoGen procedure

Plasma therapy

One of the most common skin diseases is eczema. It is an inflammation, accompanied by redness, itching and the appearance of tiny bubbles with liquid. It is the latter that explains the name of the disease: such bubbles resemble the boiling of water, from the Greek eczeo means “boil”.

According to statistics, eczema affects up to 2% of the world’s population. And in the practice of dermatologists, such a pathology occurs in almost 40% of all skin diseases. Most often, patients turn to the problem of the appearance of foci of inflammation on the arms, legs, body and head. Rashes go through several stages of development, over time from simple redness developing into weeping erosion and severe peeling. Against the background of such a pathology, secondary purulent infections often develop. If left untreated, visible cosmetic defects remain on the skin that do not disappear with time.

Let’s figure out why eczema occurs, how to suspect its development and how such a pathology is treated.

Causes of disease

Until now, doctors cannot unequivocally answer the question about the causes of eczema in adults and children. Most experts agree that the disease develops as a result of a complex effect of endogenous factors (for example, genetic predisposition) and exogenous factors (professional, etc.). Simply put, external factors most often include various allergens that affect the body constantly or for a long time. To internal, endogenous – genetic predisposition. It has been proven that if there is a person with eczema in the family, the risk of disease in relatives increases significantly. If one of the parents (mainly the mother) is ill, the risk of eczema in a child is approximately 40%, if both parents are ill, it is almost 60%

The most common triggers for eczema are:

• chronic allergies;
• disruption of the endocrine system;
• psychoemotional triggers.

Also, additional factors are isolated that can weaken the body’s immunity and thereby provoke the development of eczema. This is:

• chronic inflammatory processes;
• secondary immunodeficiencies;
• diseases of the digestive system;
• foci of chronic infection in the body.

Among the possible causes of eczema are called psychosomatics: we are talking about constant stress, various disorders of the autonomic system, anxiety and depression. Patients often show functional changes in the activity of the central nervous system, the predominance of the activity of unconditioned reflexes over the activity of conditioned ones, as well as an imbalance between the activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system.

Types of eczema

Specialists distinguish the following types of pathology:

• True, or idiopathic. The patient has symmetrical foci of inflammation and pigmentation, symptoms appear on open areas of the skin. Over time, erosion develops, on which exudate accumulates. As it heals, skin peeling occurs.
• Microbial. This form of pathology develops against the background of traumatic injuries, fungal, viral and bacterial infections. Infiltrate often accumulates under the skin. Non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene provokes an accelerated spread of lesions throughout the body.
• Seborrheic. This pathology is characterized by damage to areas of the skin on the scalp. The affected areas have typical redness, peeling and itching. In some cases, the course of the disease is complicated by swelling and weeping cracks.
• Professional. It occurs due to the constant contact of the patient with various allergens: dust, chemicals, cleaning products, etc. Very often, small vesicles appear on various parts of the body.
• Weeping. At the beginning of such a disease, pink spots of various shapes and sizes appear on the skin, swelling and the formation of subcutaneous exudate are also observed. Then the cortical stage and exfoliation begin. The main feature is the presence of a rash at all stages of the disease.
• Dyshidrotic. This pathology affects the sweat glands of the feet and hands, is characterized by the formation of serous vesicles and seasonal exacerbation. As a rule, there are pronounced vesicles with a dense shell. There is severe itching and peeling.
• Allergic. It occurs as a result of hypersensitivity of the body to external and internal stimuli. Accompanied by rashes, itching and dry skin. In place of the opening bubbles, large crusts form, sometimes the process is accompanied by a burning sensation.

Disease stages

If we talk about the features of the course of the disease, then usually there are three stages of its development:

• Acute. It is characterized by the appearance of vesicles on edematous skin, punctate erosions with weeping, serous crusts, etc. The rashes are multiple.
• Subacute. This stage is characterized by erythema, redness, and scaling.
• Chronic. It is characterized by infiltration and increased “skin pattern”, the appearance of pigmentation.

Symptoms of eczema

Depending on the cause of the disease and the location of the inflammation, the symptoms can vary significantly. The most common manifestations of skin eczema in patients are:

• At the erythematous stage, red inflammatory spots appear, which gradually merge with each other.
• At the papular stage – bright red nodules with clear boundaries are formed.
• At the vesicular stage – vesicles appear with transparent contents.
• At the stage of wetting – the bubbles open, point erosions are formed with the release of exudate.
• At the cortical stage, grayish-gray crusts are found, under which the skin heals.
• At the stage of peeling – the removal of crusts and scales from the surface of the skin.

Symptoms of the disease go away with the elimination of provoking factors. However, the healed area of ​​the skin has an uneven color and dense texture.

What other symptoms may indicate the development of eczema:

• Scaly layer on the border of the scalp. Develops with seborrheic eczema. At the initial stage, it manifests itself as single yellowish nodules that grow rapidly. In the future, a scaly layer is formed along the border of the hair.
• Round eruptions on the arms. Appear in almost 80% of cases of eczema. At the initial stage, they have a rounded shape, but over time they lose it.
• Eruptions with sharp edges. Most often found on the legs. They can be seen with varicose veins, the rashes have a rounded shape and pronounced borders.
• Symmetrical eruptions on the body. Are located on all body, often are shelled. At the initial stages, they look typical – they are vesicles with liquid, later areas of thickened skin with severe peeling appear.
• Callous eruptions on the palms. Such formations, especially in places atypical for corns, also indicate eczema. Bubbles form, but due to the dense skin, they may not open.
• Vesicles in the axillary region with a hair in the center. A rash with a hair in the center is a sign of sycosis – damage to the hair follicles. As a rule, such rashes are accompanied by itching and redness.
• Bumps on the face and hands. Such formations do not have wetting and crusts, often appear on the face.
• Itching redness on the arms and legs. Indicate true or microbial eczema. Accompanied by multiple vesicles.
• Suppuration around wounds. With the development of microbial pathology, purulent crusts and hyperemia of the skin appear.

In its signs, eczema is often similar to atopic dermatitis. However, it should be understood that pathologies have significant differences. Dermatitis, as a rule, occurs in childhood, while eczema is found in adults and even elderly patients. Another difference is that the first pathology is most often localized on the elbow and knee bends, neck and face, while eczema can be located on any area, but more often on the hands and shins. Dermatitis occurs suddenly and often also disappears. Eczema occurs regularly and is often the immediate result of exposure to a particular allergen.

Diagnosis of eczema

The diagnosis is made on the basis of examination and questioning of the patient. In some cases, additional studies may be prescribed to differentiate eczema from other skin diseases. With true eczema, the clinical picture of the disease is typical. In other cases, the symptoms may be similar to atopic dermatitis, toxidermia and allergic contact dermatitis.

The diagnostic process may include:

• general blood analysis;
• tissue scraping for examination under a microscope;
• allergy tests to identify the source of the allergy;
• histological examination of tissues.

Treatment is prescribed only after confirming the diagnosis and determining the existing type of pathology.

Features of treatment

A key task in the treatment of eczema is to identify and minimize provoking factors. In addition, systemic or local therapy is prescribed, as well as various physiotherapy procedures:

• Systemic therapy. It is based on taking antihistamines, which can prevent an acute allergic reaction. Sedatives, glucocorticosteroids and a number of hormonal drugs are also used.
• local therapy. May include the use of retinol ointment, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agents. Therapy is selected taking into account the identified form of eczema and the causes of its occurrence. For example, a virus or fungal infection may need to be treated.
• Physiotherapy. As a rule, it includes ozone therapy, magnetotherapy and laser therapy. In difficult cases, it is possible to treat foci of eczema with the help of cryotherapy. Often prescribed therapeutic and mud baths, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, etc.

Preventive measures

Diet and lifestyle play an important role in preventing the development of new exacerbations. The diet should exclude any foods that can provoke allergic reactions. Typically this is:

• red berries;
• citrus;
• Fish and seafood;
• chocolate;
• dairy products.

Patients are also advised to avoid alcohol and smoking.

Personal hygiene is also important. With the development of eczema of the feet, legs, hands and face, it is recommended to refuse flavored soaps. Water-based creams can be used to moisturize the skin.

And most importantly, improper treatment of skin diseases can provoke eczema. So, you should not self-medicate. If any rashes and redness appear, do not postpone a visit to a dermatologist, because this can be the key to a quick and successful recovery.

If you are faced with symptoms of eczema and do not know how to get rid of such an ailment, then the dermatologists of our KallistoMed clinic are ready to help in this matter. We will be waiting for you at the reception – sign up using the website or by phone!

Information sources

1. Federal clinical guidelines for the management of patients with eczema. – M.: 2013.
2. Olisova O.Yu., Belousova T.A., Kail-Goryachkina M.V. Strategy and tactics of treatment of patients with infectious and inflammatory skin diseases. Dermatology. – 2017; No. 1. – pp. 42–47.

ECZEMA AND dermatophytosis and fungal infection of the skin of the feet and palms.

Eczema is a term used to describe dry, irritated, red, itchy, inflamed skin, sometimes covered in painful blisters. Eczema is not contagious and is usually caused by one or more of the following causes.

ECZEMA ON THE HAND

– exposure to or direct contact with household chemicals (dishwashing detergent, cleaning products, …)
– exposure to or direct contact with acrylic liquid or powder
– Hard or scented soaps or lotions
– Wet hands from prolonged contact with water
– Excessively sweaty hands
– Stress
– Dust/pollen
– Nickel jewelry (rings/bracelets/watches)
– Rubber gloves

ECZEMA ON LEGS

– Excessively sweaty feet
– Long periods of time in wet socks and closed shoes
– Wet feet, poorly dried after a shower / bath / pool
– Pool water (prolonged exposure to chlorine)
– stress
– scented soaps or lotions
– nylon or wool socks

Most common causes of dermatophytosis – a fungal infection of the skin of the feet and hands

– direct contact (walking barefoot in public bathrooms / showers / baths / pools . .)
– minor injuries, cracks and cuts on the feet (an easy entry point for fungal spores)
– Sharing towels, socks and shoes with an infected person
– long periods of time in wet socks and closed shoes
– damp feet from excessive sweating

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