Bacterial Skin Infections And Their Symptoms
The skin is the largest organ in the body, meant to protect you from diseases and infections. However, sometimes the skin also suffers infections caused by a variety of reasons.
The skin is the largest organ in the body, meant to protect you from diseases and infections. However, sometimes the skin also suffers infections caused by a variety of reasons.
The symptoms of the infections range from mild to serious depending on the type and severity of the infections. Skin infections vary from viral, fungal, parasitic, and bacterial.
Bacterial skin infections happen when bacteria enter your body via a break in the skin, like a scratch or a cut. However, it does not mean that you get bacterial skin infections every time you have a scratch or cut.
Bacterial skin infections mostly start as tiny red bumps on the skin whose size gradually increases. Some bacterial infections are mild, and you can easily treat them using over-the-counter antibiotics.
There are different types of bacterial skin infections, and all may have different signs and symptoms. They include;
This type of skin infection affects the dermis and subcutaneous tissues, which are the two deepest skin layers. It mainly occurs in broken parts of the skin like near bruises, ulcers, recent surgical wounds, or burns.
The main types of bacteria that cause this skin infection are Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Cellulitis mainly appears on the skin as a red and swollen area on your skin, which feels hot and tender to the touch.
Symptoms
• Tenderness and pain in the affected area.
• Glossy, tight, and swollen skin.
• Inflammation or redness on the skin.
• Feeling warm or hot on the affected area.
• A skin rash or sore that spreads quickly.
• Fever.
• An abscess that has pus.
Some more serious symptoms of this skin infection include;
• Dizziness.
• Fatigue.
• Chills.
• Shaking.
• Muscle aches.
• Light-headedness.
• Sweating.
While cellulitis may occur anywhere on your skin, it mainly occurs on the skin of your lower legs. If left untreated, it may spread to your bloodstream and lymph nodes and even become life-threatening.
Impetigo mainly affects the epidermis, which is the top layer of the skin. It mainly affects children and is highly contagious. Streptococcus and Staphylococcus bacteria are the main causes of this infection, and it starts as a honey-colored crust.
The sores that occur because of this skin infection mainly occur around the mouth and nose, but it might spread to other parts of the body via your towels and clothes.
Symptoms
• Reddish sores that rapidly develop into blisters that ooze and burst, forming the yellowish crust.
• Feeling pain and itchy on the sores.
• Red marks that do leave any scars after healing.
While this infection may affect both children and adults, there some factors that increase the chances of getting it
That includes;
• Living in a humid and warm climate.
• Dialysis treatment.
• Diabetes.
• Playing contact sports.
• Have a weak immune system.
• Having skin conditions like dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis.
• Having itchy infections like scabies, lice, chickenpox, or herpes simplex.
• Having sunburns or other types of burns.
Also called furuncles, these are painful skin infections that begin in hair follicles. They start as small tender red bumps that quickly fill up with pus and enlarge. If left untreated, they may develop into an abscess.
Unlike some skin infections that only affect the hair follicle, boils affect the whole pilosebaceous unit. These are found throughout the body except on the lower lip, sole of the feet, and skin on the palm.
They comprise the hair follicle, shaft, arrector pili muscle, and sebaceous gland. Boils mainly occur on the neck, face, armpits, thighs, and buttocks. If the boils are not that severe, you can drain the pus using a warm compress.
Symptoms
• Small, red, and painful bumps that may enlarge up to 2 inches.
• Development of yellow-white tips on the bumps that later rapture, releasing the pus.
• Swollen, red skin around the bumps.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Fever.
Some of the severe symptoms of boils that should prompt you to see a doctor include;
• Red streaks on the skin around the boil.
• The boil doesn’t drain.
• Severe pain.
• The appearance of more boils close to the original ones.
This is a common bacterial skin infection that mainly affects the hair follicles. Some of the main causes are fungus, blockages of the hair follicles caused by moisturizers and other products, or ingrown hair.
Some other causes include;
• Tight clothing or clothing that rubs your skin.
• Irritation to your follicles caused by sweat or personal products.
• Injuries on the skin.
Plucking and shaving hairs also increase the chances of getting folliculitis, and it mainly affects people who have acne. If the infection is mild, it could go away on its own, but more severe cases need antibiotics.
Symptoms
• White-headed pimples or small red bumps that mainly develop around hair follicles.
• Itchy and burning skin around the infected area.
• Pus-filled blisters, which break and crust over.
• Painful and tender skin.
• Mild fever.
Hot tub folliculitis is one of the most common types of this bacterial infection. It causes a rash of round, red, itchy bump several days after you get exposed to the bacteria. The main type of bacteria that causes it is pseudomonas bacteria found in places like heated pools and hot tubs.
This skin infection is mainly characterized by several furuncles packed closely together, and they can be as big as 4 inches horizontally. They normally have several openings where the pus oozes out.
Carbuncles mainly occur on the thighs, back of the neck, and back. The main type of bacteria that causes this infection is staph bacteria.
Carbuncles normally have high chances of scarring after they heal and can spread to other parts of the body or other people, which is why they need medical attention.
Symptoms
• Lumps on the skin, which can be several wide.
• Itchy feeling on the site of the bumps.
• Fluid leakage from the bumps, which might crust over.
• Yellow or white centers in the middle of the swells or bumps.
• Severe pain or discomfort.
• Fever that is not associated with flu symptoms.
• Fatigue.
Author: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice regarding health or finances. It is not intended to endorse any individual or company. This article is AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should consult a qualified professional for personal advice.