There are 3 groups of skin infections: Bacterial, Viral and Fungal/Yeast. Bacterial skin infections are often called Impetigo, Folliculitis, Boils, Furuncles, Cellulitis, etc. Simply put, the naming represents the location of the infection in the skin and the severity.
Bacterial Infections
The most common skin infection bacterium we see in the US today is Staphylococcus ( Staph). If treated early, these infections will resolve quickly using antibiotics. Sometimes, delay in treatment or a resistant bacterium is found which can require hospitalization and treatment there.
Viral Skin Infections
Viral skin infections are usually herpes, warts, or molluscum contagiosum. Unlike with bacterial infections, there are no effective antiviral medications that completely eradicate the infectious organism. In the case of molluscum, the body’s own immune system along with the dermatologist’s treatments can eradicate the virus. Herpes infections never completely leave one’s body but can be suppressed well with oral medications. Wart virus infections can be treated by the Dermatologist but a healthy immune system is needed to remove these infections visually.
Fungal and Yeast Infections
Fungal and yeast infections usually show as athlete’s foot, jock itch , ringworm, and yeast infections. These infections can be confused with non-infectious conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and allergic rashes, so an expert like your Dermatologist should be consulted first or you are more likely to be treated incorrectly for weeks to months. Fungal infections of the feet and toenails can be treated with creams and/or pills safely. This also applies to these infections in the groin or other parts of the body, once the correct diagnosis is made. Candida of the fingernails or in warmer wet areas of the body can be more difficult to treat.
Your Dermatologist is the most experienced physician to diagnose and treat skin infections from the young to the old and with venereal diseases as well. In addition to the infections mentioned above are dozens of more uncommon and sometimes much more dangerous one’s that the Dermatologist is trained to take care of.
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