Diseases
skin infections
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Overview
Skin infections occur when bacteria infect the skin and sometimes the deep tissue beneath the skin. Cellulitis is a common type of skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain in the infected area of the skin. Another type of skin infection is skin abscess, which is a collection of pus under the skin.
Symptoms
- signs of a severe infection include: pus, and blisters,
- skin sloughing, breakdown
- dark, necrotic-appearing skin, or skin that becomes discolored and painful
Causes
- bacterial skin infection
- viral skin infection
- fungal infection
Risk factors
- injury to the skin.
- skin conditions, such as athlete's foot or eczema.
- obesity.
Diagnosis
- physical exam.
- blood test
- swaps
Medicines used
Frequently asked questions
What is skin infections?
Skin infections occur when bacteria infect the skin and sometimes the deep tissue beneath the skin. Cellulitis is a common type of skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain in the infected area of the skin. Another type of skin infection is skin abscess, which is a collection of pus under the skin.
What are the symptoms of skin infections?
signs of a severe infection include: pus, and blisters,, skin sloughing, breakdown, dark, necrotic-appearing skin, or skin that becomes discolored and painful
What causes skin infections?
bacterial skin infection; viral skin infection; fungal infection
Which medicines are used for skin infections?
amoxicillin, ampicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam, azithromycin, bacitracin-neomycin, bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin, bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin-pramoxine, betamethasone-neomycin, cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefdinir, cefditoren, cefepime, cefoperazone, cefoperazone-sulbactam, cefpirome, cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftaroline fosamil, ceftazidime
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