Skin infections

Causes

Skin and mucosal infections can vary greatly in their causes and symptoms. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi and range from mild to severe.

Reasons for treatment

Some common types of skin infection are: bacterial infections such as erysipelas, impetigo and folliculitis; viral infections such as herpes simplex, herpes zoster (shingles) and molluscum contagiosum; and fungal infections of the skin and mucous membranes, such as fungal nail infections and vaginal fungal infections.

Treatment options

Erysipelas (“blood poisoning”) must be taken particularly seriously, as it can cause a severe complication. It is usually caused by streptococci and must be treated with oral or systemic antibiotics. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in erysipelas.

Parasitic infestations such as scabies and lice, on the other hand, are by definition not infections but infestations, although they cause symptoms similar to those of infections.