The team at Biggers Family Medicine, PA in Brandon, FL want to help you understand what the signs of a possible skin infection are and when you might need to go see your primary care physician to seek care.
Our skin is the largest organ on our body, so when it is infected or hurting, it can be especially bothersome. There are also many types of skin infections that any physician in Brandon, FL can identify. Skin infections can be caused by parasites, bacteria, fungi, or viruses, and they can be minor or severe. You can get a skin infection whenever there is a puncture or opening in your skin.
So how do you know if you have a skin infection and what signs should you look for to know if you need to seek medical help? Here are some of the warning signs that the irritation you are experiencing or visual clues you are seeing are signs of an infection that might need to be treated:
- Pus or other fluid coming from the area
- Redness or irritation around the injury
- A pimple or yellowish crust on top of the affected area
- Sores that look like or become blisters
- Pain or swelling that gets worse or doesn't go away after a few days
- A fever
- An injury that won't heal after 7 - 10 days
- Bumps that are painful to the touch
- Thickened or scaly skin
When attempting to diagnose a skin infection, the primary care physician will examine the area and ask you questions about your symptoms and when and how the infection began. They may order lab tests to help identify the type of infection you have or if there are any other factors contributing to the infection. Once the doctor has determined what your skin infection is, they'll prescribe or recommend medications to help ease your symptoms and clear the infection. Skin infections are usually treated with ointments and creams. Antibiotics are also often included in the treatment of skin infections as well. The type and strength of the antibiotic will depend on the type of infection and its severity.
If you are looking for a primary care physician or need help identifying a potential skin infection, call Biggers Family Medicine, PA in Brandon, FL at (813) 655-4646 today.