Common Infections of the Skin

Common Infections of the Skin

Infections of the skin may be grouped into three types: bacterial, fungal, and viral.

Common Bacterial Infections

Impetigo

• Impetigo is a skin infection that is commonly seen on the face, particularly in the lower part of the face, but it can occur anywhere.
• This disease is characterized by large, open, weeping lesions.
• They look like large sores, similar to acne, except that impetigo lesions weep and appear damp.
• The lesions can range in size.
• Impetigo is frequently seen in children and is extremely contagious.
• Impetigo is caused by staphylococcus
• The disease is treated by the use of antibiotics.

Folliculitis

• Folliculitis is a bacterial infection of the hair follicle.
• The infection results in irritation and is characterized by multiple pinpoint irritations around the pore openings.
• Pseudofolliculitis is caused by irritation from shaving.
• It also appears as irritated follicles but is not usually infected.
• Ingrown hairs are the main cause of pseudofolliculitis, which is seen frequently in the beard area of male clients, especially the neck.
• A more severe infection of the hair follicle is called a furuncle, also known as a boil.
• Large boils often result in abscesses and are referred to as carbuncles.
• Folliculitis, furuncles, and carbuncles are treated with antibiotics.
• If a furuncle or carbuncle bursts on the inside of the lesion, the bacteria may enter the bloodstream, causing septicemia, also known as blood poisoning.
• Septicemia is characterized by a red erythemic line running from the source of the primary infection is extremely serious and should be treated immediately by a physician.
• Cellulitis is a deep infection of the dermis, caused by streptococcus.
• A severe form of cellulitis is called erysipelas, also known as Anthony’s Fire.
• Again, this condition is extremely serious and should be seen immediately by a physician.

Fungal Skin Infections

There are a number of fungal and yeast infections of the skin.

Fungal and yeast infections are called mycoses.

Tinea versicolor

• Tinea versicolor is sometimes called sun fungus.
• It is often seen on the backs and chests of persons who are tan.
• Tinea versicolor inhibits the production of melanin in the skin, which results in its appearance as white patches.
• It is not actually directly related to sun exposure but is often seen on tanned persons because the skin will not tan in the areas where tinea versicolor is active.
• The disease is easily treated with the use of antifungal prescription medications.

Also, Tinea pedis

• Tinea pedis, commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a fungal infection of the skin on the foot.
• The disease is characterized by severe itching and scaling, particularly on the sole of the foot.
• Again, tinea pedis is easily treated by the use of antifungal prescription medications.

Tinea corporis

• Tinea corporis is better known by the public as ringworm.
• It can occur in any area of the body and presents itself as a ring-like lesion.

Candidas

• Candidas are yeast infections.
• They can cause a variety of skin infections, including perleche, also known as cheilitis, which appears as softened and sometimes reddened cracks in the corners of the mouth.
• Oral thrush, seen often in infan ts and persons with suppressed immune systems, such as patients with AIDS and diabetes, is a yeast infection of the mouth characterized by white patches inside the mouth.

Viral Skin Infections

Herpes

• Herpes refers to a group of viruses.
• Herpes simplex is the cause of common cold sores, which generally appear on or around the mouth and often appear as oozing red ulcers.
• They are very contagious and should be treated by a physician.
• Facial treatments should be avoided for clients with active lesions.
• Certain facial treatments, such as chemical peels, have been known to cause a flare-up of the herpes virus.

Herpes zoster (shingles)

• Herpes zoster, better known as shingles, is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox.
• Herpes zoster is harboured by the nervous system and generally follows a pattern along the nerves in the skin.
• The lesions of herpes zoster look like multiple red blisters.
• Subjective symptoms may include burning, tingling, or numbness, and severe cases can result in extreme pain.
• Minor infections can be only a nuisance, and the disease subsides by itself.
• However, the infection can reoccur and, in some cases, causes scarring and pain due to nerve inflammation.
• There is no cure for herpes zoster, although some prescriptions are helpful in controlling it.
• Herpes zoster is another infection that may be a problem in immunosuppressed individuals, such as patients with AIDS.

Molloscum contagiosum

• Molloscum contagiosum is a viral infection frequently seen on the faces of children.
• It appears as groups of small, flesh-coloured papules that often resemble milia but are in groups or clusters and are hard to the touch.
• They must be treated by a physician.

Warts

• The most frequent viral lesions seen are warts.
• Warts are caused by a variety of viruses known as papillomaviruses or verrucae.
• Wart treatment varies with the lesion, including topical acid therapy using salicylic acid or trichloroacetic acid.
• Other dermatologic treatments include freezing the lesions with liquid nitrogen or cautery with an electric needle.
• Warts are contagious, especially to the same individual, and they can be spread to another area of the body easily.
• Warts may be seen by the aesthetician on the face, feet, and hands, especially the nails, and should be referred to a dermatologist for treatment.

Pityriasis rosea

• Pityriasis rosea is a patchy, red, rash-like disorder.
• It can occur anywhere on the body but is frequently seen on the trunk.
• Groups of patches may develop.
• Many outbreaks resemble the pattern of a Christmas tree on the trunk.
• Its origin is unknown, and there is no real cure for pityriasis rosea, but it usually subsides after a few weeks.
• Itching associated with infection can be treated with topical prescription steroid creams.

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