The following symptoms are usually seen in an infected skin area:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Blistering
• Pain
• Discharge and inflammation

These symptoms may vary depending on the severity, type and extent of the infection. Some infections remain only on the skin surface, while some spread to deep tissues or blood. In this case, general symptoms such as fever, chills, weakness, headache may also be added.

Infections occur when the skin barrier is impaired. The skin barrier is the protective layer of the skin against external factors. The skin barrier can be damaged by various reasons. These include the following:

• Injuries such as scratches, cuts, burns
• Situations such as insect bites, mosquito bites and animal bites
• Skin diseases such as excessive scratching, dryness, eczema
• Allergic reactions, contact dermatitis and other conditions
• Factors such as lack of hygiene, dirty environments, dirty clothes

When the skin barrier is weakened, bacteria or viruses that are normally found on the skin or come from outside can enter the skin and cause infection. The most common infection agents are:

• Staphylococcus aureus: This bacterium causes infections on the skin such as pus-filled wounds, boils, pimples, abscesses, impetigo. It can also spread to the blood and cause serious infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis.
• Streptococcus pyogenes: This bacterium causes infections on the skin such as scarlet fever, cellulitis, erysipelas, necrotizing fasciitis. It can also spread to the blood and cause serious infections such as rheumatic fever, glomerulonephritis, toxic shock syndrome.
• Herpes simplex virus: This virus causes infections on the skin such as cold sores, herpes zoster, herpes gladiatorum. It can also cause infections in the nervous system, eye, genital area.
• Varicella zoster virus: This virus causes infections on the skin such as chickenpox, shingles. It can also cause infections in the nervous system, eye, ear.

In the treatment of infections, different methods can be applied depending on the type, severity and extent of the infection. Generally, the following treatment options are available:

• Local treatment: Antiseptic solutions, creams, ointments, lotions and other products are applied to the infected skin area to clean the skin and heal the infection. This treatment may be sufficient for mild and limited infections.
• Systemic treatment: In cases where the infection is deep or widespread, antibiotics, antiviral or antifungal drugs are given orally or intravenously to eliminate the infection from the body. This treatment can be life-saving for serious and dangerous infections.
• Surgical treatment: In cases where the infection does not respond to drug treatment, is purulent, necrotic or gangrenous, the infected tissue may need to be surgically removed. This treatment is done to prevent the spread of infection and to restore skin integrity.

To prevent infections, we should pay attention to both our skin health and our general health. We can reduce the risk of infection by taking the following precautions:

• We should keep our skin clean and moist. We should use suitable products to avoid drying and irritating our skin. We should protect our skin from sun, cold and chemicals.
• We should treat any wounds, cracks or irritations on our skin immediately. We should clean the wounds, dress them and make sure they do not get infected. We should consult a doctor if necessary.
• We should avoid insect bites, mosquito bites and animal bites. In such cases, we should clean our skin with antiseptic solutions and check for allergic reactions. We should consult a doctor if necessary.
• We should not neglect skin diseases. Skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, acne weaken the skin barrier and predispose to infections. Therefore, we should have skin diseases diagnosed and treated in time.
• We should strengthen our immune system. The immune system defends our body against infections. To strengthen our immune system, we should eat healthy, get enough sleep, reduce stress, avoid harmful habits such as smoking and alcohol, and exercise regularly.
• We should be vaccinated against infections. Some infections, especially those seen in childhood, can be prevented by vaccination. Therefore, we should have our vaccinations done according to the vaccination schedule. We should also be vaccinated against common infections in the region we are going to travel to before traveling.

Infections are serious conditions that threaten our skin health and our general health. Therefore, it is very important to recognize, treat and prevent infections and to take the necessary precautions. As YND HEALTH, we are always with you for your and your loved ones’ health. Contact us to get more information about infections or to make an appointment. We wish you healthy days.