Bacterial Skin Infections

All About Bacterial Skin Infections

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deeper layers of the skin, the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue. This is a very common skin infection. Most cases of cellulitis are easy to treat if treated early. The longer you wait to get treatment, the more damage the bacteria can do to the skin.

Erysipelas is a bacterial infection that occurs in the top layers of the skin. It's also called St. Anthony's Fire because it burns and is very painful. In erysipelas, the skin is usually very red and swollen and there is a well-defined border between normal and infected skin.

Folliculitis is another very common bacterial skin infection. Folliculitis is an infection in the hair follicle, which is a pretty small structure. It makes sense that this infection looks like a group of small little red bumps that can be filled with a small amount of pus. Folliculitis usually heals without scarring.

Hot tub folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacteria is commonly found in contaminated whirlpools, hot tubs, water slides, physiotherapy pools, or even loofah sponges. Children tend to get hot tub folliculitis more often (probably because they stay in the water longer).

Whereas folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicle, a furuncle is an infection of the whole pilosebaceous unit. If not treated in the early stages, a furuncle can become an abscess and might have to be drained.

A carbuncle is a collection of multiple infected hair follicles. It's an abscess, just like a furuncle, but a carbuncle is a much more serious infection. Whereas a furuncle is an infection of a hair follicle and the surrounding tissue, a carbuncle is actually several furuncles that are densely packed together.

Impetigo is a bacterial infection of the top layer of the skin, the epidermis. The hallmark of impetigo is a honey-colored crust. If you have impetigo, your doctor will probably prescribe a topical antibiotic instead of an antibiotic you take by mouth.

Erythrasma is a bacterial skin infection that occurs in areas where skin touches skin, like between toes, in armpits, or groin. Because of its location and color, erythrasma is often confused with fungal infections like jock itch. If you have what you think is a fungal infection that isn't getting better with an anti-fungal treatment, you may have erythrasma. You should see your doctor because erythrasma is easily treated with the proper antibiotics.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a bacterial infection of certain sweat glands that are found in the armpits, groin, buttocks, scalp, and under the female breast. People don't get hidradenitis until after puberty, and there is a form of this disease that runs in families.