Skin Infections Tips

The skin is the largest organ of the body and is hence susceptible to a great number of infections. Here are a few skin infections arranged according to the causative organism:
Bacterial Infections

Leprosy: Mycobacterium leprae is the bacterium which spreads slowly and causes leprosy. It is also called Hansen s disease.
Carbuncles: It is a swollen, painful and red boil aggregation which is joined underneath the skin.
Cellulitis: It is a common skin infliction that spreads u...more

What is a wart?
Warts are small, rough, hard, non-cancerous skin growth, usually having color similar to the color of rest of the skin and is caused when a type of human papillomavirus infects the top layer of the skin through damaged skin.

Warts are contagious and can spread through direct contact.

Types of warts

Common warts: also known as verruca Vulgaris grow most often on the fingers, around the nails and on the back of hands (especially where skin breaks are ...more

Infection is generally understood as the invasion into the body tissues of an organism by certain foreign bodies such as bacteria, parasite, and virus. They are transmissible diseases and can be transmitted from one person to the other via sneezing, coughing or physical contact. They can be mild, moderate or severe.

* They can be acute, that is, can last for a short time, or chronic that lasts for a long time, or a latent infection that may not cause any symptoms at first but reactivate...more

Skin is the most important part of the body when it comes to appearance. It also protects the internal organs from harm caused by an external source. This is why keeping your skin in pristine condition is vital for your overall well-being. However, a host of skin problems afflict people over the course of their life. While some of these are minor issues, others can be serious and even critical. Here is a look at the causes and symptoms of the most common skin conditions.

Urticaria- This...more

Blessed are the people who enjoy a healthy, flawless and glowing skin with minimum effort, throughout their life. Of late, dermatological problems like acne, pruritus, psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, have been affecting all and sundry. People, irrespective of their age, sex and occupation suffer from skin diseases. While some of the ailments are minor problems, others might be grave enough for one to seek an expert opinion. A number of factors, both internal as well as external, contribute to the...more

Impetigo is an extremely contagious infection caused by bacteria that affects the skin. It occurs on the face, neck and hands of young children and infants. Diapers wearing infants tend to get it around the diaper area. It is highly contagious and causes red sores that can break open, ooze fluid and develop a yellow-brown crust. Impetigo is a contagious disease and can spread to others through close contact. It can also spread by sharing towels, sheets, clothing, toys or other items. As the skin...more

Fungal infection of the skin and mucous membranes is very common. The most common species of fungus causing these infections is Candida albicans. They are present in abundance in the skin and mucous membranes and have a protective function. However, when immunity is compromised, these grow to a significant number and infection results. Some of the most common candida infections and ways to manage them are outlined below.

Athlete s foot, nail fungal infections, diaper rash, jock itch, or...more

No matter humans what age, everyone likes to step into the small puddles while showering in the rain. But what we tend to ignore is the ever increasing skin infections that come with the joy of soaking in the rain. Now, that the monsoon is about to exit our weather, it s important that we take care of these infections with a gleam on our faces. These infections generally occur due to our interaction with bacteria and fungi present in the rainy puddles. Occasionally, these grow in the areas where...more

Scabies is a skin condition that causes the skin to itch. It is caused by a tiny burrowing mite, which is called Sarcoptes scabei. The presence of the mite in the burrowed areas causes intense itching, especially at night. This a contagious condition, which can quickly spread through physical contact in places like nursing homes, schools, prisons etc. Scabies is easily treatable by applying lotions to the skin that may kill the mite. Yet, one may still experience itching for several weeks.
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What is molluscum contagiosum?
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection caused by molluscum contagiosum virus characterized by presentation of small, pink, water filled, pink lesions with a dimple at the centre with occasional itch or sore and may be present singly or in groups.
The disease is self-limiting though take years sometimes to get resolved.
The condition is contagious and may spread through direct contact or via contaminated objects and lesion may spread to other areas o...more