Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsImpetigoMRSA InfectionsFuruncles and CarbunclesEcthymaErythrasmaBacterial FolliculitisHot Tub FolliculitisErysipelasCellulitisHansen’s Disease (Leprosy)ComplicationsPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Impetigo
MRSA Infections
Furuncles and Carbuncles
Ecthyma
Erythrasma
Bacterial Folliculitis
Hot Tub Folliculitis
Erysipelas
Cellulitis
Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy)
Complications
Prevention
Bacterial skin infections can happen when bacteria enter the body due to a break in the skin.Different types of skin infections includemethicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA),impetigo, cellulitis, and more.
You may be able to identify abacterial skin infectionbased on its appearance, symptoms, location, severity, and thelayer of skinaffected. Bacterial skin infections can range from mild to life-threatening. Your healthcare provider will likely prescribe antibiotics based on the type and severity of the infection.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoCFCF / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
CFCF / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0
Symptoms
Treatment
Impetigo is usually treated withtopical antibiotics.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoCDC / Bruno Coignard, M.D.; Jeff Hageman, M.H.S. / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
CDC / Bruno Coignard, M.D.; Jeff Hageman, M.H.S. / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA)is a serious bacterial infection that is resistant to standard antibiotic treatment.
Laboratory tests are usually required to diagnose MRSA. If left untreated, MRSA can easily spread from person to person, particularly in hospital settings.
Some MRSA infections look like other bacterial infections and can even be confused with aspider bite.
If the infection is more serious, there are a few antibiotics that may work. These include:
Untreated MRSAIf left untreated, MRSA can spread through the bloodstream, causing septicemia andsepsis(a potentially life-threatening reaction to the blood infection). One in five people hospitalized for sepsis will die as a result of complications.
Untreated MRSA
If left untreated, MRSA can spread through the bloodstream, causing septicemia andsepsis(a potentially life-threatening reaction to the blood infection). One in five people hospitalized for sepsis will die as a result of complications.
Furuncles
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoMahdouch / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 1.0
Mahdouch / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 1.0
Afuruncle, commonly known as a boil, is a painful bacterial skin infection of the entirepilosebaceous unit(which includes the hair follicle, hair shaft, andsebaceousgland).
If left untreated, a furuncle can become a pus-filled pocket known as anabscess.
A furuncle starts as a tender, red or purple lump that rapidly fills with pus. As it grows, it will develop a white head and eventually burst and drain. Furuncles are common on the face, neck, armpits, buttocks, and thighs.
Carbuncles
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoDrvgaikwad/Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
Drvgaikwad/Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
A carbuncle can grow to golf ball size or even larger, and usually has one or more openings where pus can ooze out. The infection may also cause:
Carbuncles usually develop on the back, thighs, or back of the neck.
Carbuncles are more difficult to treat and can take longer to resolve than boils. The risk of scarring is high as is the spread of infection to other parts of the body. For this reason, carbuncles generally require medical treatment.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Te Whatu Ora Waikatowww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Te Whatu Ora Waikatowww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Ecthymais similar to impetigo, but it occurs in the deeper layers of the skin. It is sometimes called “deep impetigo.”
Echtyma often occurs on the legs and may begin as a superficial scratch or insect bite. Symptoms include impetigo-like blisters that turn into a deep ulcer that crusts over.
Echtyma is usually treated with oral antibiotics, though early cases may only need topical antibiotics.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoDermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
It is most common in warm, humid climates. Other risk factors include:
The infection usually starts with a well-defined pink patch of skin covered with fine scales. The rash can then turn a reddish or brownish color with flaking and wrinkling.The most common parts of the body to be affected include:
In addition to skin discoloration and flaking, mild itching or burning may occur, especially ingroin areainfections.
Topical or oral antibiotics may be used depending on the severity of the rash. Gentle scrubbing can help remove some of the scales.
Erythrasma or Not?Due to its location and appearance, erythrasma is often confused withfungal infectionslike athlete’s foot orjock itch.
Erythrasma or Not?
Due to its location and appearance, erythrasma is often confused withfungal infectionslike athlete’s foot orjock itch.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoJodi Jacobson / Getty Images
Jodi Jacobson / Getty Images
Symptoms include tiny, red bumps and/or white-headed pimples filled with pus.
While bacterial folliculitis usually heals on its own, severe cases may require topical or oralantibiotics. Left untreated, folliculitis can cause permanent hair loss.
Fungal and Viral Folliculitis
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoJoel Carillet / Getty Images
Joel Carillet / Getty Images
The condition is sometimes called “jacuzzi folliculitis” because it can be contracted through contaminated whirlpools and hot tubs (especially wooden ones). People can also become infected through water slides, physiotherapy pools, or even loofah sponges.
The risk is higher in people with acne or eczema as their skin barrier has already been disrupted.
Symptoms of hot tub folliculitis include pus-filled bumps and an itchy, red rash that can develop several hours or days after exposure to the bacteria. Hot tub folliculitis typically affects the chest or groin.
Hot tub folliculitis tends to heal on its own but topical silver sulfadiazine cream may help. Severe cases may require oral antibiotics.
Hot Tub Folliculitis in ChildrenChildren are more prone to hot tub folliculitis because their skin is thinner and they tend to stay in the water longer than adults.
Hot Tub Folliculitis in Children
Children are more prone to hot tub folliculitis because their skin is thinner and they tend to stay in the water longer than adults.
Erysipelas is commonly known as “St. Anthony’s Fire” because of the intense, burning sensation it causes.
Other symptoms include areas of extreme redness and swelling with a sharply defined border. It is common on the face and legs but can also affect the arms and trunk.
Erysipelas can be treated with antibiotics.In severe cases, the medication may need to be delivered intravenously. The antibiotics you receive will depend on the type of bacteria that is causing your infection. You may also need anti-inflammatory pain medication to reduce pain and fever.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoRichard Wareham / Getty Images
Richard Wareham / Getty Images
Cellulitisaffects the two deepest layers of the skin called thedermisandsubcutaneous tissue.
Cellulitis usually occurs when the skin is broken, such as near ulcers, bruises, burns, or recent surgical wounds. While many types of bacteria can cause cellulitis,Staphylococcus aureusandStreptococcus pyogenesare the most common culprits.Lymphadenitis, an infection of the lymph nodes, can also cause cellulitis if it’s left untreated.
Cellulitis often appears as a swollen, red area of skin and feels tender and hot when touched.
Necrotizing cellulitis is a more severe form of this infection that causes the death of tissue. Necrotizing cellulitis causes severe pain, gray discharge, and high fever.
If cellulitis spreads to your bloodstream, it can be deadly, causing high fever, chills, rapid heart rate, vomiting, and other symptoms ofsepticemia(“blood poisoning”). Seek emergency care if symptoms like these develop.
Cellulitis is usually treated with intravenous antibiotics. You may also need pain medication such as ibuprofen to treat pain and fever.
Necrotizing cellulitis requires emergency medical care.
Hansen’s disease is not very contagious and it’s easily treatable. Most people, around 95%, have immune systems that are able to fight off the bacteria.
Hansen’s disease affects the skin, nerves, and nose lining. Its symptoms include:
In advanced stages, it can cause:
Hansen’s disease is treated with a combination of antibiotics, usually over a period of months. Aspirin, prednisone, and thalidomide may help with inflammation.
Complications of a Skin Infection
If a skin infection isn’t treated promptly, it can lead to complications. Some of these include:
Summary
A bacterial infection can cause localized symptoms (such as with furuncles, carbuncles, erythrasma, and impetigo) or affect larger portions of the body (such as with hot tub folliculitis and erysipelas). Some bacterial infections like MRSA and cellulitis can spread into the bloodstream, causing septicemia and sepsis.
25 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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