What are the infectious skin diseases?
The skin is the organ that protects our body from infection by providing a barrier to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.
However, the skin can be attacked by different microorganisms causing infectious skin diseases. Infectious skin diseases are divided into different categories depending on the cause:
- Bacterial: In bacterial skin infections there is a sudden and exaggerated growth of bacteria that colonize the skin surface causing lesions. Some examples of bacterial skin infection are impetigo, furuncles and abscesses.
- Viral: Many viruses can grow inside skin cells and infect the skin causing dermatitis that can sometimes be severe. Some examples of viral skin infection are: cold sores, Herpes zoster (HZ), better known as shingles, chickenpox, and warts.
- Fungi: Many fungi are capable of attacking the horny structures of the skin causing even extensive annular or poly annular shaped colonization. These infections go by the generic name of Ringworm. Tapeworms can affect hair, nails or other skin surface. Other fungi or mycetes or yeasts may infect the skin or mucous membranes such as Candida, Aspergilli.
- Parasitic: Parasites can also penetrate and grow inside the skin. The most common and well-known parasite is the Scabies Mite, which causes a very itchy and equally contagious dermatitis. Other rarer Cutaneous Parasitoses can be contracted in tropical travel.
1. Infectious skin diseases:
BACTERIA
Bacterial skin diseases represent a wide range of conditions that can seriously impact an individual’s health and well-being. These infections are commonly caused by excessive colonization of bacteria on the skin surface and can manifest in various forms, including impetigo, furuncles, and abscesses.
What are the symptoms of a bacterial skin infection?
Symptoms of bacterial skin infections vary depending on the specific type of infection. Impetigo typically presents with the formation of vesicles or pustules that, when opened, leave a yellowish crust. Furuncles are red, painful, pus-laden nodules that emerge deep within the hair follicle. Abscesses represent a more advanced stage of furuncles, forming large pockets of pus deeper under the skin. These conditions can lead to more severe symptoms if left untreated, including the spread of infection to other parts of the body. Recognizing the symptoms of a bacterial skin infection is essential for timely and appropriate intervention.
What are the causes of bacterial skin infections?
Bacterial skin infections are mainly attributable to two types of bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. These microorganisms are able to invade the skin through small wounds or abrasions, multiplying rapidly and causing infection. The moist and warm environment of the skin provides ideal conditions for their proliferation.
2. Infectious skin diseases:
VIRALS
Viral infectious skin diseases are caused by viruses that infect skin cells, leading to disorders such as dermatitis, which can range from mild to severe. These infections include conditions such as cold sores, herpes zoster (known as shingles), chickenpox, and warts, each with specific characteristics and modes of transmission.
What are the causes of viral skin infections?
The viruses responsible for these skin infections are different and have different ways of attacking the skin. Herpes simplex causes herpes labialis, which is characterized by itchy blisters, while varicella-zoster virus causes both chickenpox in childhood and herpes zoster in adulthood, following reactivation of the latent virus. Warts, on the other hand, are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), which induces the growth of growths on the skin.
What are the symptoms of a viral skin infection?
Symptoms of these viral infections include redness, pain, itching, and the formation of blisters or skin growths. For example, herpes labialis manifests as painful, itchy blisters around the mouth, while herpes zoster presents as a painful rash that follows the path of nerves. Chickenpox is notorious for its itchy rash that turns into blisters, and warts show up as hard growths on the skin. Management of viral skin infections requires a careful and informed approach. It is critical to recognize symptoms early to initiate appropriate treatment.
3. Infectious skin diseases:
FUNGINE
Fungal infections of the skin, also known as cutaneous mycoses, are caused by various types of fungi that attack the horny structures of the skin. These organisms can colonize the epidermis extensively, resulting in infections that often have an annular or polyannular form. Ringworm is one of the generic terms used to describe such infections, which can affect the hair, nails, and other skin surfaces. Other fungi such as Candida and Aspergilli can infect the skin and mucous membranes, leading to different complaints.
What are the causes of fungal skin infections?
Fungal infections of the skin are mainly caused by dermatophytes, which include the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton, responsible for the various forms of Ringworm. These fungi feed on the keratin present in the skin, hair and nails, causing infections. Other fungi, such as Candida and Aspergillus, mainly colonize mucous membranes and moist parts of the skin, causing opportunistic infections, especially in individuals with compromised immune systems.
What are the symptoms of a fungal skin infection?
Symptoms of fungal infections vary depending on the area affected and the type of fungus. Ringworm typically manifests with circular skin lesions, which cause itching and scaling. When hair is affected, areas of alopecia may occur, while affected nails become thick, brittle, and may change color. Infections such as those caused by Candida can produce redness, intense itching and sometimes whitish discharge, especially in areas such as the mouth and skin folds. Fungal skin infections require early recognition to avoid complications and spread.
4. Infectious diseases of the skin:
PARASITARIES
Parasitic infections of the skin are caused by the penetration and growth of parasites into the epidermis. Of these, Scabies is one of the most well-known and widespread, caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which causes an intensely itchy and highly contagious dermatitis. Other cutaneous parasitic infections can be acquired during travel to tropical regions, making them less common but potentially serious.
What are the causes of parasitic skin infections?
The main parasite associated with common skin infections is the Scabies Mite, which burrows under the skin to lay eggs, causing an intense inflammatory and itchy reaction. More rare infections are often caused by a variety of parasites that can be encountered in tropical environments, such as ticks, fleas, and lice, leading to specific conditions such as leishmaniasis, tungiasis, and other parasitic dermopathies.
What are the symptoms of a parasitic skin infection?
Scabies manifests as severe itching, especially at night, and the appearance of small red bumps called burrows or blisters on the skin, often between the fingers, on the wrists, elbows, and in the genital area. Typical tracks are thin gray or white lines where the mite has burrowed. Infections acquired in tropical areas can vary greatly in symptoms, but often include rashes, ulcers, and localized itching or pain. Effective management of these infections requires a careful approach to both diagnosis and treatment, as well as environmental control measures to reduce the risk of reinfestation.
