Types of Foot Fungus and Bacterial Infections
Impetigo: Everything You Need To Know
Impetigo is a bacterial infection that affects your skin, causing sores and blisters. It can appear differently depending on the stage of infection and what part of your body it affects.
Impetigo is a common contagious skin infection. Bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes infect the outer layers of your skin, called the epidermis. Your face, arms, and legs are most often affected.
Anyone can get impetigo, but it most commonly affects children, especially those who are 2–5 years old.
The infection often begins in minor cuts, insect bites, or a rash such as eczema — any place where your skin is broken. But it can also occur on healthy skin.
The first symptoms of impetigo are discolored sores on your skin, often clustered around your nose and lips. These often appear pink or red on light skin and dark red, purple, brown, or gray on darker skin tones.
These sores quickly grow into blisters that may ooze, burst, and then form a yellowish crust. The clusters of blisters may expand to cover more of your skin.
The sores can be itchy and occasionally painful. After the crust phase, they form discolored marks that fade without leaving scars.
Impetigo typesThere are three types of impetigo based on the bacteria that cause them and the sores that form. Each type goes through a series of stages.
Impetigo can cause similar symptoms to other skin conditions. People may mistake impetigo for:
Because impetigo can occur on any part of your skin, it may take on a slightly different appearance for different people. It will also look different depending on the stage of your infection. Below are example pictures of impetigo on a variety of skin tones.
Strains of Staphylococcus (staph) or Streptococcus (strep) bacteria cause impetigo.
These bacteria can get into your body through a break in your skin from a cut, scratch, insect bite, or rash.
The disease can be contagious. You can contract these bacteria if you touch the sores of a person with impetigo or if you touch items like towels, clothes, or sheets that the person used.
Who's at risk of impetigo?While anyone can contract impetigo, close contact with someone with the infection is the most common risk factor for the disease. Impetigo spreads more easily when people are in close quarters.
Adults and children are at higher risk of impetigo if they:
Age is also a significant risk factor for impetigo. The more common nonbullous variety is seen most often in children 2–5 years old. The less common bullous variety occurs in children younger than 2 years old in 90% of people with it. When impetigo does occur in adults, it's more common in people assigned male at birth.
It's a good idea to see a doctor or other healthcare professional if you suspect impetigo. They can usually diagnose the infection by its appearance.
If your sores don't clear up with treatment, a doctor may want to culture the bacteria.
This involves taking a little bit of the liquid from your sore and testing it to see what type of bacteria caused it to determine which antibiotics will work best against it.
Antibiotics are the first line of treatment for impetigo. The type of antibiotic you get depends on how widespread or severe your lesions are.
If you have impetigo in only a small area of your skin, topical antibiotic creams, gels, or ointments are the preferred treatment. Options include mupirocin cream or ointment (Bactroban or Centany) and retapamulin ointment (Altabax).
If your impetigo is severe or widespread, a doctor can prescribe oral antibiotics such as:
Home treatmentWith treatment, impetigo usually heals in 7–10 days. If you have an underlying infection or skin disease, the infection may take longer to heal.
A number of home remedies are also available at your drugstore or natural products store. Keeping the area clean and covering it with bandages if possible can stop it from spreading.
Learn more about home remedies for impetigo here.
Essential oilsSome people claim that various essential oils can help to remedy impetigo, including:
Before you try any essential oil or other alternative treatment, speak with a doctor. Some of these products can cause side effects, and they may not be safe for everyone.
PreventionIf the lesions can't be reliably covered, children with impetigo should stay home until they no longer have an active infection that can be passed to others. Adults who work in jobs that involve close contact with others should ask their doctor when it's safe for them to return to work.
Good hygiene is the best way to prevent impetigo. Follow these tips:
The bacteria responsible for impetigo can cause complications, including other more serious infections and harmful immune responses.
Adults have a higher risk of complications than children. These complications may include:
The open sores are highly contagious. Scratching the sores can spread the infection from one place on your skin to another or to another person. The infection can also spread from anything touched by a person with an impetigo infection.
Hygiene is key to controlling impetigo's spread. If you or your child has impetigo, wash and disinfect everything the infection might have come into contact with, including:
Impetigo is triggered by a bacterial skin infection, usually caused by a type of Staphylococcus (staph) or Streptococcus (strep) bacteria.
How do you get rid of impetigo bacteria?Since impetigo is caused by a bacterial infection, the most common treatment is antibiotics. Depending on how much of your body is affected by impetigo, you will be prescribed either an oral antibiotic or a topical – cream or ointment – antibiotic. Some people report symptom relief using home remedies like tea tree oil, but these will not "cure" impetigo. It's also important to keep the area clean and dry.
What does impetigo look like when it starts?When impetigo starts, it often appears as discolored skin sores around your nose and lips. These sores may look pink or red on light skin or dark red, purple, brown, or gray on darker skin tones. The sores quickly become blisters that may soon begin to burst, ooze, and form a yellowish crust.
Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection that generally isn't serious. It clears up faster with antibiotics and requires good hygiene to prevent it from spreading.
If you suspect that you or a loved one has impetigo, contact a doctor for diagnosis.
What Is A Staph Infection?
Staphylococcus—also called staph—is a type of bacteria that causes a wide range of infections if it spreads into your bloodstream or internal tissues. Staph infections are very contagious and can spread through direct contact. Your risk of these infections increases if you're hospitalized or work in a hospital, have a chronic condition, or recently had surgery. Fortunately, there are steps you can take time prevent getting an infection.
The symptoms of a staph infection depend on where the bacteria spread. Skin and tissue staph infections are the most common, though staph can also spread to your blood, heart, or other organs, causing serious diseases. There are several treatments available to reduce your symptoms, but your exact treatment plan will depend on the severity of your infection.
There are more than 30 types of staph bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus, or S. Aureus is the strain that causes the most infections. Each type of S. Aureus is categorized based on how effective certain antibiotics can treat them: Methicillin-resistant S. Aureus (MRSA): MRSA bacteria are resistant to methicillin antibiotics, making them more difficult to treat. MRSA most commonly spreads in hospital or clinical environments. Methicillin-susceptible S. Aureus (MSSA): This type of infection most commonly affects the skin. Unlike MRSA, methicillin antibiotics can treat this type. Vancomycin-intermediate S. Aureus (VISA): VISA is a type of staph infection that's somewhat resistant to the antibiotic Vancocin (vancomycin). This infection is most common in those who've had surgery, catheters, or a previous infection with MRSA. Vancomycin-resistant S. Aureus (VRSA): These bacteria are completely resistant to Vancocin (vancomycin). Like VISA, VRSA infections are typically a complication of surgery or catheter use and are more prevalent in people who have an underlying lung disease. Staph infections range in severity from mild to life-threatening. The symptoms you have depend on the body system that's affected by the bacteria. Skin Symptoms Most staph infections affect the skin. Typical signs of these infections are pus-filled boils or pimples that appear anywhere on your body. Over time, these boils can become swollen and burst. Some of the most common types of skin-related staph infections include: Impetigo: Mostly affects young children and causes sores around the mouth or nose or on the limbs, which can break, drain pus, and form honey-colored scabs Cellulitis: Causes redness, inflammation, and pain on the skin that is warm to the touch Folliculitis: Affects the hair follicles and causes redness, itchiness, and soreness Blood Symptoms Also known as bacteremia or sepsis, staph infections of the blood are severe and life-threatening. They cause at least one of the following symptoms: Elevated heart rate or weak pulse Confusion or disorientation Severe pain or aches Fever Chills or shivers Difficulty breathing Clammy or sweaty skin Digestive Symptoms Staph bacteria can also cause food poisoning, leading to: Heart Symptoms Staph infection of the heart, or endocarditis, causes inflammation of the heart valves. This rare, dangerous condition causes: Other Symptoms Staph infections can also affect other systems in your body including your breasts, bones, and lungs. As a result, you might experience the following symptoms: Breasts: Can spread if you're breastfeeding and cause swelling, redness, pain in the breast, and flu-like symptoms Bones: Causes pain, swelling, redness, chills, and fever Lungs: May lead to pneumonia which can cause persistent cough, high fever, chills, chest pain, and difficulty breathing The bacteria that cause staph infections, S. Aureus, occur in the nasal passages or on the skin, causing no problems in most cases. Infections happen when these bacteria enter the bloodstream—via cuts or wounds or by mouth—and your immune system isn't able to fight them off. There are several ways that staph bacteria spreads. You can come into direct contact with the infection if you touch a person's pus or skin, infected surfaces, or objects like towels, razors, clothing, or doorknobs. In some cases, contaminated food can also spread the infection. Risk Factors Your chances of developing a staph infection are higher if you: Work in a hospital or were recently hospitalized Are using a catheter, breathing tube, or feeding tube Have a chronic condition like diabetes, cancer, lung disease, or HIV Are undergoing chemotherapy Have an implant, such as a pacemaker or artificial joint Are on dialysis, a common kidney treatment to clean your blood Use injection drugs Have severe or extensive burns on your body Play contact sports or share athletic equipment The way your healthcare provider approaches diagnosis for staph infections also depends on the part of the body that's infected. Their goal is to figure out what's causing the symptoms and rule out other possible causes, such as diabetes, wound infections, and certain heart problems. When you go in for an appointment with your provider, they will ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam. They will likely also use other tests to make a diagnosis, including: Bacterial culture: Takes a sample of your skin, stool, breastmilk, or nasal or throat swab to test for staph bacteria DNA or RNA tests: Tests, such as real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), are newer methods to detect signs of bacterial genetics (DNA or RNA) from tissue, blood, or fluid samples Echocardiogram: A form of imaging that looks at blood flow in the heart to check for staph infections in the heart Computerized tomography (CT) scan: If the provider thinks the infection may have spread to other organs, they can detect bacteria by using this test to produce detailed images of your organs Chest X-ray: Chest imaging can check for fluid build-up in the lungs which may occur as a result of a lung staph infection Healthcare providers prescribe antibiotics to treat staph infections. In some cases, additional treatments may help reduce symptoms. In severe cases, you may need to be hospitalized. Topical Antibiotics For some skin staph infections, you can apply antibiotic creams or ointments directly to the wound. These treatments are available over the counter or with a prescription. The most common creams include Fucidin (fucidic acid) and Bactoban (mupirocin). Oral Antibiotics For staph infections that affect other parts of the body, healthcare providers prescribe antibiotic medication that you can take by mouth. The most common antibiotics inlcude: Bactocil (oxacillin) Kefzol (cefazolin) Nallpen (nafcillin) Avelox (moxifloxacin) Rifadin (rifampin) Firvanq (vancomycin) Zyvox (linezolid) Intravenous (IV) Antibiotic Therapy In severe or complicated cases, such as when the infection has spread to multiple body systems, you may need to take antibiotics in the hospital through an IV. These treatments are extensive and can last up to 4 to 6 weeks. Fluid Drainage If you have an infected wound or severe boils, your healthcare provider may drain the fluid to reduce pain and inflammation. Keep in mind: you should not do this on your own. Fluid drainage should only be done by a licensed professional in a hospital or clinical environment. The goal of preventing a staph infection is to limit exposure to the bacteria. Several strategies and lifestyle changes can prevent you from experiencing symptoms, including: Frequently washing your hands, especially if touching potentially contaminated surfaces Wearing gloves and keeping your hands clean if you work in a hospital or clinical environment Not sharing athletic equipment or cleaning it off before and after use Preparing food safely and fully cooking it Properly cleaning and disinfecting cuts or wounds on your skin Keeping cuts or wounds covered with sterile bandages If staph infections go untreated, they have the potential to lead to severe and life-threatening complications. These include toxic shock syndrome, septic shock, heart failure, fluid-filled abscesses in the heart valves, and stroke. That said, if you're experiencing symptoms of a staph infection or notice new wounds on your skin, it's essential to see your healthcare provider as soon as you can to treat your infection and reduce your risk of complications. Staph infections are bacterial infections that most commonly affect your skin. But, they can also affect your bloodstream, digestive system, bones, lungs, and heart. When the infection affects your skin, you might experience pus-filled boils or blisters. But when the infection occurs in other parts of your body, symptoms can be more serious. Fortunately, staph infections are preventable and treatable. Washing your hands, cleaning cuts on your skin, and preparing food properly are some ways to prevent experiencing symptoms. If you do develop the infection, topical ointments, antibiotics, and other medical treatments can help improve symptoms.What Causes Boils On The Inner Thigh?
Boils result when the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus enter the skin and cause an infection. S. Aureus live on the skin of many people and thrive in warm, moist areas, such as the groin and inner thigh.
Boils can also spread under the skin and cluster. If this happens, the clusters form deeper abscesses called carbuncles, which may scar the skin.
The size and color of a boil can vary, depending on how severe it is, or the amount of skin involved. However, most boils tend to have a similar appearance.
Boils occur when the bacteria Staphyloccus auerus invades the walls of a damaged or exposed hair follicle and colonizes it, causing infection.
Some 10 to 20 percent of the population are carriers of Staphyloccus auerus. Being a carrier means that the bacteria normally lives on the surface of a person's skin.
Carriers, and people with boils, can spread the bacteria through skin-to-skin contact. The bacteria can also spread through contact with contaminated objects, such as towels and sheets. In most people, infections only occur when the skin's natural barrier is broken or compromised by factors such as injury or friction.
Anyone of any age can develop boils. They commonly appear in areas of the body prone to chafing, particularly the inner thighs.
Certain factors are known to increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Common risk factors for boils include:
Specific factors may contribute to a high risk of developing boils on the inner thigh. These include:
While symptoms may vary in severity, most boils:
Boils may appear alone or as a group. Boils that form a group or cluster are collectively called a carbuncle.
Boils can appear anywhere on the body, including the inner thigh.
Some boils require medical attention. Consult a doctor about boils that:
A person should also see a doctor if a boil appears at the same time as any of the following symptoms:
Some individuals have a higher risk of complications from boils and are more likely to require medical attention.
People who have the following conditions should consider talking with a doctor about their boils:
When a boil appears, a person should clean the abscess and surrounding skin with warm, soapy water. They should avoid touching, rubbing, or applying pressure to a boil that has just been cleaned.
There are ways to draw the pus to the surface of the boil. This increases pressure in the abscess, making the boil more likely to rupture.
Home remediesWhen a boil first appears, a doctor may recommend applying a warm antiseptic compress, along with an ointment called a drawing salve. A drawing salve usually contains ammonium bituminosulfonate.
Applying these to the boil speeds up its development, allowing it to drain and heal.
The following tips can also help when dealing with boils at home:
People should also ensure that their towels and bedding are washed at a high temperature at least once a week.
People should avoid:
A doctor may need to cut into a boil to drain it. This may be necessary if a boil is very large or if it will not drain on its own. Incising might also be needed in cases of chronic boils.
A doctor may also prescribe oral antibiotics to clear the infection. When boils are chronic or do not respond to oral medication alone, a doctor may prescribe topical antibiotic creams or antibiotic nasal sprays.
The following tips can reduce the risk of developing boils:
The following are frequently asked questions about boils on the inner thigh.
Are thigh boils normal?Boils commonly appear in areas of the body prone to chafing, including the inner thighs.
Although boils most often develop on the face or neck, they can also develop in the following areas:
Boils develop when Staphyloccus auerus invades the walls of hair follicles that are damaged or exposed. Those who experience recurrent boils may be a carrier of this bacteria. A 2020 article notes that 20% of the general population are persistent carriers.
A 2018 article notes that if a person develops boils often, they may have a medical condition that results in a weakened immune system. Those with recurrent boils should contact a doctor.
How does a person pop a boil with no head?People should avoid popping a boil, regardless of whether it has a head or not. This is because squeezing or popping a boil can cause the bacteria to infect the deeper layers of the skin, resulting in complications.
Instead, a person should contact a doctor to find out the best course of treatment for them.
Learn more about whether a person should pop a boil.
Boils or furuncles are a common type of skin abscess. Most rupture within 10 days of forming, and after a boil drains, it tends to heal within 1 to 3 weeks.
In some cases, boils can lead to complications, including scarring and painful clustering deep beneath the skin's surface. These clusters of boils are called carbuncles.
If left untreated, severe boils or carbuncles can lead to life-threatening conditions. These may include systemic infections, which can compromise the bloodstream or the entire body.
Talk with a doctor about boils that do not heal on their own, are very large, or are complicated by additional symptoms or conditions.
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