Skin infection

A skin infection is an infection of the skin. Infection of the skin is distinguished from dermatitis,^[1] which is inflammation of the skin, but a skin infection can result in skin inflammation. Skin inflammation due to skin infection is called infective dermatitis.^[1]

Contents 1 By type of causative agent 1.1 Bacterial 1.2 Fungal 1.3 Parasitic infestations, stings, and bites 1.4 Viral 2 References

By type of causative agent

Bacterial

Bacterial skin infections include:

• Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection most common among pre-school children.^[2] It is primarily caused by Staphylococcus aureus, and sometimes by Streptococcus pyogenes.^[3]
• Erysipelas is an acute streptococcus bacterial infection^[4] of the deep epidermis with lymphatic spread.
• Cellulitis is a diffuse inflammation^[5] of connective tissue with severe inflammation of dermal and subcutaneous layers of the skin. Cellulitis can be caused by normal skin flora or by exogenous bacteria, and often occurs where the skin has previously been broken: cracks in the skin, cuts, blisters, burns, insect bites, surgical wounds, intravenous drug injection or sites of intravenous catheter insertion. Skin on the face or lower legs is most commonly affected by this infection, though cellulitis can occur on any part of the body.

Fungal

Fungal skin infections may present as either a superficial or deep infection of the skin, hair, and/or nails.^[6][7]

Parasitic infestations, stings, and bites

Parasitic infestations, stings, and bites in humans are caused by several groups of organisms belonging to the following phyla: Annelida, Arthropoda, Bryozoa, Chordata, Cnidaria, Cyanobacteria, Echinodermata, Nemathelminthes, Platyhelminthes, and Protozoa.^[6][8]

Viral

Virus-related cutaneous conditions are caused by two main groups of viruses–DNA and RNA types–both of which are obligatory intracellular parasites.^[6][9]

References