Skin Infection

From WebHealth

Common skin infections with links:
Abscesses	Lice
Carbuncles	Leprosy
Cellulitis	Lymphangitis
Childhood skin rashes	Molluscum contagiosum
Creeping eruption	Necrotizing fasciitis (=flesh eating disease)
Ehrlichiosis	Paronychial infections
Erysipelas	Scabies
Folliculitis	Shingles (=herpes zoster)
Furuncles	Tetanus
Head lice	Tinea infections
Herpes (labial and genital)	Warts
Herpes zoster (=shingles)	Yeast infections
Impetigo

[edit] Skin Infection

Introduction:

Infectious skin disease can be due to a variety of causes such as bacteria, viral illnesses, fungi, yeast, even skin parasites. Although there are very specific causes for the different skin infections, as I shall mention under the various links, there is a common denominator as well.

Skin is the largest organ that protects our inside world from the outside world. The temperature and blood composition is always kept the same inside. However, the outside temperatures experience great fluctuations. Exposure to trauma, water, chemicals etc. poses a risk to the integrity of the skin. An allergic skin reaction to poison ivy is another example that can lead to very disabling rashes with skin breakdowns lasting 2 to 3 weeks. Viruses, fungi, parasites and others can break down the skin as well. There is the always present danger of superinfection, once the skin has broken down, with bacteria complicating and prolonging what was supposed to be a swift recovery from a "skin sore".

In the following I will briefly deal with the most common skin infections. In the table of contents above you find direct links to the various subtopics with links.

Home page

Common skin conditions

Skin infections

Tinea infections

References:

1.The Merck Manual, 7^th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 265.

2.James Chin et al., Editors: Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 17th edition, 2000, American Public Health Association

3.The Merck Manual, 7^th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 112.

4. The Merck Manual, 7^th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 115.

5. The Merck Manual, 7^th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 113.