When bacteria, fungi, and viruses infect your skin and deep tissues, a skin infection results. Distinguishing between a skin infection and other skin conditions might be difficult if you don't know what to look out for. Your doctors, Dr. Joel Biggers and Dr. Elizabeth Biggers of Biggers Family Medicine, in Brandon, FL, will tell you how to identify skin infections.
Skin Infection Signs
Various skin infections have different causes and the symptoms vary with their cause.
However, here are some skin infection signs to look out for:
- A wound that fails to heal
- Pimple
- Pus or fluid leaking from an injury
- Redness around your injury
- Pain that only gets worse
- Swelling that refuses to go down
- Fever
You should hurry over to see your doctor at Biggers Family Medicine, in Brandon, FL, when you have a fever, pain that refuses to go away after a few days, and swelling that doesn't go down.
Causes of Skin Infections
Whatever breaks the surface of your skin exposes it to invasion by bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Insect sting, bites, tattoos, cuts, or piercings can open up your skin to infections.
If the area surrounding the wound doesn't get cleaned properly, these microorganisms can get into your injury causing an infection.
Skin Infection Treatment
To treat your skin infection, your doctor will need to target the causative organism.
First, your doctor will evaluate the infection site. They might request lab tests that help identify the causative organism and direct treatment.
Bacterial infections would respond to antibiotic therapy from your doctor while for viral infections, your doctor might prescribe antiviral medication.
To treat fungal infections, your doctor might prescribe antifungal creams, ointment, powders, or pills
Skin Infection Complications
You shouldn't ignore the skin infection is because it could progress to life-threatening conditions.
Skin infections like cellulitis could soon become septicemia, gangrene, lymphedema, or abscess without proper care.
If you notice an unusual rash on your skin or other signs of skin infection, you should call (813) 655-4646 to schedule your appointment with your doctors at Biggers Family Medicine, in Brandon, FL.