Bacterial infections are among the most common diseases worldwide. Bacterial infections on the skin is caused by bacteria, which are microorganisms that cause diseases. Bacteria can be microscopically small or macroscopically big, but they all have one thing in common: the ability to reproduce and spread.
Skin infections are the most common health problems in the United States, affecting more than half of all Americans at some point in their lives.
Bacteria are present on our skin all the time as we live and work with them every day. However, some bacteria can cause serious infections when they enter your body through open wounds or burns on your skin or by being transferred from another person who has an infected site such as a cut or boil.
The skin is the largest organ of the body and it serves many functions, such as protecting us against environmental hazards and maintaining homeostasis (balance). However, this protective function can also be a source of infection if bacteria manage to penetrate into the skin.
When bacteria get into your body through an open wound or weak spot in your skin, they multiply quickly and produce toxins that damage your body’s natural defenses. Bacterial infections can cause severe pain and redness, fever, chills, nausea and vomiting.
Bacterial infections on the skin are common and can be painful. A number of bacteria may cause skin infections, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and group A streptococci. The most common type is staphylococcal infection.
What causes bacterial infection on the skin?
There are many reasons why bacteria can cause infection on the skin. In fact, it is one of the most common conditions that people develop, with an estimated 80% of all bacterial infections being caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
Bacterial infection on the skin is caused by bacteria that are able to penetrate the skin and enter the body. They can cause a variety of symptoms, such as redness, swelling, pain and fever.
What are the Types of Bacterial Infections on the Skin?
When it comes to bacterial infections on the skin, there are many types of bacteria that can be present on the skin. Some of these may not cause any harm, while others can lead to severe conditions such as cellulitis, pustules and boils. The most common types of bacterial infections on the skin include:
Staphylococcus aureus
The most common types of bacterial infections are staphylococcal infections. This type of bacteria is an important part of the skin’s natural defense system. However, if it enters the body through breaks in your skin, it can cause an infection called staphylococcal scalded syndrome. This involves redness and scaling on the skin that lasts several days, followed by blistering and scarring. These bacteria can lead to infections like boils, abscesses and cellulitis.
Staphylococcal infections can cause:
- Staph infections (also called boils) – these are painful, pus-filled spots that may look like boils but do not drain properly
- Superficial folliculitis – small red bumps that appear on the surface of the skin; they itch and can be itchy
- Skin abscesses – fluid-filled sacs under the skin caused by infection
- Pigmentary changes due to staphylococcal infection
- It causes pink bumps to form on your skin
Streptococcus pyogenes
This bacterium is responsible for causing strep throat infections in young children under five years old. If it enters your body through breaks in your skin, however, it can cause impetigo or boils — red patches with pus-filled blisters that may become infected as well.
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Sometimes known as “klebsiella”, this bacterium causes pneumonia in people with weakened immune systems such as those with AIDS or cancer patients who have chemotherapy or radiation therapy to their lungs.
Bacterial infections can be contagious. If you have a skin infection, you may spread it to others. When bacteria enter the body through a cut or burn, they can spread quickly. They also can multiply rapidly in the moist environment of a wound and cause an infection that spreads throughout the body.
Major Causes of Bacterial infections
The most common bacterial skin infections are caused by Staphylococcus aureus (also known as Staph), Streptococcus pyogenes (also known as strep), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (also known as Pseudomonas).
Treatment for Bacterial Infections on the Skin
Bacterial infections can be easy to treat, but it’s important to be consistent with your treatment. Antibiotics are the first line of defense against most bacterial infections. They kill the bacteria and clear up the infection. If you’re using an antibiotic for a bacterial infection, follow these guidelines:
- Use the antibiotic for at least two days — even if you feel better after a few days of therapy. Some infections don’t respond as quickly as others.
- Take a full dose of the antibiotic each day — even if you feel better after taking it only some of the time or have no symptoms at all. You may need more than one dose of antibiotics to completely kill all of the bacteria in your body.
- Don’t stop taking antibiotics unless your doctor tells you to do so. Stopping too soon can lead to drug resistance and make it harder for your body to fight off future infections.
- Cleanse the area with soap and water
- Apply an ointment or cream that contains antibiotic
- Apply heat to the affected area
- Apply ice pack to the affected area
- Take antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor
Symptoms of bacterial infection on the skin
The symptoms of bacterial infection on the skin can be easily confused with various other diseases. The most common symptoms are:
- Fever
- Pain, redness or swelling at the site of infection
- Pressure, redness and pain in the area around the infection
- Red streaks or patches of discoloration called petechiae (small purple spots)
- Redness, swelling, and pain. The area around the wound may be warm to the touch.
- Some babies may also have fever or chills. If your baby has a bacterial infection, you should call the doctor right away.
- Runny nose, sneezing, or postnasal drip
- Sore throat
Originally posted 2022-07-30 00:16:52.