Skin Infections
Anyone who has a break in the skin is at risk for an infection.
Bacterial Infection
There is bacteria that lives on the surface of healthy skin. But with a break in the skin, this bacteria can invade the outer layer of skin and cause an infection and rash. Staph is a common cause of bacterial infections. Impetigo is one of the most common causes of skin infections in children. Oral or topical antibiotics are used to treat bacterial skin infections.
Viral Infection
Viruses are parasitic organisms that can live and grow inside living cells. They cause either a degeneration or a proliferation of the cell. Most causes of viral skin infections are either from Human Papilloma Virus, which causes warts, or Human Herpes Virus, which causes cold sores, chicken pox, shingles, genital herpes and mononucleosis. Viruses do not respond to antibiotics. Generally, medications are prescribed to help alleviate the symptoms of the infection, such as a rash or itch.
Fungal Infections
Fungal infections of the human body are called mycoses and affect only the outer layer of skin. Although seen in all areas of the body, skin mycoses most frequently appear as yeast infections, thrush, athlete’s foot or jock itch.