What is a bacterial skin infection?
Bacterial skin infections is a common condition affecting the skin. It usually affects hospitalised patients and people with an underdeveloped or weak immune system, such as children, the elderly, and the immunocompromised.
The skin is said to be the largest organ in the body, and it functions to protect the internal organs from harmful microorganisms and harsh environments. Aside from this function, the skin also regulates body temperature and is involved with sensation.
The skin is made up of three layers:
- the epidermis or the outer, waterproof layer
- the dermis, which is made up of connective tissue, sweat glands and hair follicles
- the subcutaneous layer which is made up of fat and some connective tissues.
If there is a breach in the epidermis, microorganisms can enter the dermis and, in less common cases, the subcutaneous layer. This results in a skin infection.
Common causes of bacterial skin infections
Bacterial skin infections develop upon entry of bacteria into the skin. The most common bacteria that cause them are Streptococci and Staphylococci. These bacteria may enter the body through recent surgery, cuts, puncture wounds, ulcers, fungal infections, or skin inflammation.
For young children, Hemophilus influenza bacteria may cause skin infections in the face, arms, and upper torso. Pasteurella multocida bacteria may cause skin infections from a dog or cat bite or scratch. Aeromonas hydrophilia and Vibrio vulnificus are the most common bacteria that cause skin infections after exposure to freshwater or seawater. In a punctured wound, cellulitis may be caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Types of bacterial skin infections
The most common bacterial skin infections are cellulitis, impetigo and folliculitis.
Symptoms of bacterial skin infections
Generally, anybody who has cellulitis may experience pain and tenderness in the affected area, redness or inflammation of the skin, a skin sore or rash that proliferates, tight, glossy, swollen skin, a feeling of warmth in the affected area, and an abscess with pus and fever.
For severe cases, other symptoms may be observed, such as shaking, chills, feeling ill, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, muscle aches, warm skin, and sweating. If cellulitis continues to develop, the patient may experience drowsiness, lethargy, blisters, and red streaks. These are common signs that cellulitis is spreading.
Cellulitis can range from mild to severe cases. A person may have a higher risk of acquiring cellulitis due to some factors like a cut, scrape, or other injuries to the skin, a weakened immune system, skin conditions that cause breaks in the skin, such as eczema and athlete’s foot, IV drug use, diabetes, having a history of cellulitis, swelling of your arms or legs (lymphedema) and obesity. Complications of this condition include severe tissue damage (gangrene), amputation, damage to internal organs that become infected, shock, and worst, death.
Types of cellulitis & their specific symptoms
Various types of cellulitis affect the multiple parts of a person’s body.
Treatments for bacterial skin infections
Here are some treatments for bacterial skin infections:
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