There are many different kinds of bacteria that are colonizing our skin and they are considered to be normal flora. In some cases our skin is infected by our germs which have the role to protect our skin. There are many different types of skin infections but the most common skin infections are
- Parasitic skin infection: scabies, head lice and body lice
- Fungal: yeast infections and Athlete’s foot
- Viral: herpes simplex, warts and shingles
- Bacterial: impetigo and cellulitis. Also the staphylococcal infections can affect our skin.
Bacterial skin infections
Our skin is a barrier which should prevent the skin infections caused by bacteria. There are many types of bacteria which are not making any kind of infection. But also the chances of getting bacterial skin infections are not excluded. When we get this condition, then we can notice tiny spots on our skin or we can see spots all over our bodies. Also they can be life treating infections or they can be harmless. There are different types of bacteria that can lead to bacterial skin infections. The most common types of bacteria that lead to this kind of skin infection are Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. People who live in a nursing home or who are hospitalized are having increased chances of getting bacterial skin infection which is caused from not so common type of bacteria [1]. Also when people swim in the ocean, lake or a pond have increased chances to get bacterial skin infection from not so common type of bacteria. Also there are some people who have increased chances of getting skin infections such as people who have high levels of glucose in their bodies or who have poor blood flow to their feet and hands [2]. If your skin is damages or inflamed by scratching, sunburn or trauma, then it has increased chances of getting bacterial skin infections. Any kind of break in your skin leads to have increased chances of getting bacterial skin infection.
Viral skin infections: Rubella, Chickenpox and Measles are types of viral skin infections that cause sores, spots or rashes on our skin but also they can cause many other symptoms. The Herpes Simplex Virus Infections is a type of herpes virus which causes sores and rashes on our skin [3]. In the most common causes of the viral skin infections, Molluscum Contagiosum and Warts, the viruses are within our skin and they do not spread on other parts of our bodies.
Parasitic skin infections
When we suffer from this kind of skin infection, then this can be very distressing and itching condition. Worms (such as Migrans and Cutaneous Larva), mites (Scabies) and insects (Cutaneous Myiasis, Lice and Bedbugs) are the most common skin parasites which burrow in our skin for some part of their lives or they live all their lives in our skin. Also there are some types of people who have delusional parasitosis in which there are not parasites in someone but those people do believe that they are infested with some kind of parasites. There are some types of parasitic infections that are systemic and they have cutaneous manifestations such as flukes and nematodes.
Fungal skin infections: Fungi are making homes in our bodies. We can have this kind of infection in the genital area, between the toes and under our breasts. Candida and Candidiasis are types of yeasts that are leading to fungal skin infection. Also Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton are types of dermatophytes which are causing fungal skin infection. In the most cases fungi live in the topmost layer of our epidermis which is also known as stratum corneum and in the most cases they do not go deeper in our skin. People who are obese are having increased chances of getting fungal skin infection because they have excessive skinfolds [4]. Also people who suffer from diabetes are having increased chances of getting fungal skin infection [2]. In some cases when we have fungal skin infection, then on some parts of our skin we can have rashes but on other parts of our skin we do not have rashes. When we have a fungal infection on our foot, then this can lead to bumpy and itchy rash on our fingers. These skin infections causes eruptions which in fact mean that we have an allergic reaction to the fungus. [5]
References:
[1] Montoya A, Mody L. Common infections in nursing homes: a review of current issues and challenges. Aging Health. 2011;7(6):889–99.
[2] Gan YH. Host susceptibility factors to bacterial infections in type 2 diabetes. PLOS Pathogens. 2013.
[3] Koelle DM, Corey L. Recent Progress in Herpes Simplex Virus Immunobiology and Vaccine Research. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2003;16(1):96–113.
[4] Metin A, Dilek N, Bilgili SG. Recurrent candidal intertrigo: challenges and solutions. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2018;11:175–85.
[5] Masucci N, Jones L. Management and treatment options for common foot conditions. The Pharmaceutical Journal. 2017. Retrieved from www.pharmaceutical-journal.com
