General Skin Infections

Skin infections are conditions caused by pathogens that invade the skin and sometimes the deep tissue beneath it. These infections can manifest in many different forms, depending on the type of pathogen involved.

There are many ways in which skin infections can present themselves, with some common symptoms to look out for outlined below:

• Redness and swelling
• Pain or tenderness
• Heat and warmth at the infected site
• Itching or burning
• Pus or discharge
• Fever or chills in severe cases

Skin infections can be caused by many different things and should be considered alongside other conditions. Knowing your skin and understanding certain triggers is important in managing your skin, with some potential causes to be mindful of outlined below:

• Bacterial infections such as impetigo or cellulitis are often caused by Streptococcus or Staphylococcus bacteria
• Viral infections include herpes simplex or shingles
• Fungal infections are typically caused by dermatophytes or yeasts like Candida
• Parasitic infections, such as scabies or lice

Some infections will be relatively harmless, however, it is important to obtain an accurate diagnosis to make sure any potential longer-term complications are fully understood. Potential long-term complications may be minimal depending on your condition, but could include:

• Spread of the infection to other parts of the body or to other individuals
• Permanent damage to the skin
• Systemic infections in severe cases, which can be life-threatening

Understanding your underlying condition is key to being able to manage your skin health and minimise the risk of infections. Once this is understood preventative measures may include:

• Maintaining good hygiene and regularly wash hands.
• Keeping cuts or abrasions clean and covered.
• Avoiding sharing personal items such as towels or razors.
• Using antifungal or antibacterial powders or sprays if prone to fungal or bacterial skin infections.

A consultant dermatologist is best-placed to provide an accurate diagnosis of your condition through undertaking a detailed medical history and physical examination. At RENA, diagnosis and treatment is only ever undertaken by consultant dermatologists, with step 1 being an initial consultation which would involve a comprehensive skin assessment to ensure an accurate diagnosis. This includes reviewing your medical history and symptoms, and examining the affected skin area. Diagnostic tests undertaken may include skin scrapings, culture tests, or blood tests to identify the specific pathogen causing the infection.

Treatment for infections at RENA is tailored to the patient and can vary significantly depending on the underlying cause. Accurate diagnosis is important in arriving at the most appropriate and effective treatment, which could include antibiotics, antifungal creams or other lotions and oral medications.