Skincare Treated

Types of Bacterial Skin Infections

Bacteria are single-celled microscopic organisms that are present everywhere. Some types of bacteria are healthy while others are pathogens and cause bacterial skin infections.

What is Infection?

An infection is caused when bacteria as well as other microorganisms invade the skin. This happens when there is a break or a cut or crack in the outer layer of the skin.

The skin gets red and inflamed and as the infection spreads, the wound fills with pus. This happens as the bacteria grow and multiply and completely colonize the site.

Some bacteria have a localized effect and don’t spread to other regions of the body; others spread very quickly and can be devastating. Also, some types of bacterial skin infections are easily treatable while others can ultimately lead to complications and death.

Common Types of Bacteria

The two most common types of bacteria are staphylococcus aureus and a type of streptococcus. Let’s take a look at some common bacterial skin infections.

Among the most common types of bacterial skin infections is erythrasma caused by the Corynebacterium minutissimum bacterium. This skin disease breaks out in various part of the body such as the armpits, groin, and breasts but it mainly infects the area between the toes.

There are some people who are more susceptible to erythrasma, including individuals who are overweight, the elderly and diabetics.

Most people have heard of the next bacterial skin disease or the carbuncle. A carbuncle forms when bacteria invades the hair follicles. But it is not folliculitis or inflammation of the hair follicle.

What is a Carbuncle?

A carbuncle is a lump on the skin that is actually a dense collection of infected hair follicles. It is a serious disease. Carbuncles usually embed themselves in the subcutaneous layer of the skin.

What you see is large and painful nodules that are filled with pus. A carbuncle has many openings through which pus drains out. Symptoms are not confined to the carbuncle itself and the individual could also develop a fever.

Where do carbuncles surface? The most common areas are the neck, back, and thighs.

Yet another common bacterial skin infection is cellulitis, which is caused by the strep or streptococcus and staph or staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Cellulitis is not a superficial disease and targets the deeper layers of the skin.

Other bacterial Diseases

Bacterial skin infections not caused by the two most common bacteria mentioned above include spirochetes, Lyme disease, Rickettsial disease, spotted Fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Mediterranean spotted fever.