Other Bacterial Skin Infections
Other Bacterial Skin Infections
What are some common types of bacterial skin infections?
The following are common bacterial skin infections:
Infection |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
---|---|---|
Erysipelas |
A skin infection caused by hemolytic streptococci. This condition usually affects the face or legs. In rare cases it affects an area that was injured or where the skin is cut. Many people have a fever or flu-like symptoms. Symptoms may include:
|
Treatment may include:
|
Erythrasma |
A bacterial skin infection of the top layers of skin, more common in the tropics. This condition mainly affects obese adults and people with diabetes. This condition usually appears in areas on the body where skin touches skin, such as under the breast and in the groin area. Symptoms may include irregular pink patches that turn into brown scales. |
Treatment may include:
The infection may return, requiring another treatment. |
Impetigo |
A skin infection, caused by a streptococcal or staphylococci infection. Symptoms include pus-filled blisters or pustules. Blisters can range in size from peas to large rings. There is often oozing honey-colored liquid and yellowish scabs. Impetigo tends to occur on the face, arms, or legs. Impetigo is most common in children and very contagious. But symptoms usually don’t affect the whole body. |
Immediate treatment may help prevent impetigo from infecting deeper layers of skin. Treatment often includes antibiotics. |
Paronychia |
A skin infection around a fingernail or toenail. This infection can be caused by a break in the skin due to a hangnail, manicure, fingernail biting, or other chronic irritation. Symptoms may include:
|
Treatment may include:
|
The symptoms of bacterial skin infections may look like other skin conditions. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Updated:  
March 21, 2017
Reviewed By:  
Berman, Kevin, MD, PhD,Sather, Rita, RN