Skin Infections

A typical skin infection involves colonization of foreign species on the skin. Which basically invades it, then multiplies to grow and spread the condition. The organism that infects and interferes with the normal functioning of the host may lead to additional issues such as chronic wounds, gangrene, loss of a limb and in certain cases death too. Therefore, it becomes important to recognize the symptoms of the skin infection in order to specifically cure it.

Skin infections for this very particular reason are roughly categorized into four main groups. They include bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic. Some of the most common bacterial infections are impetigo and cellulite. Herpes simplex, warts, and shingles, on the other hand, are viral skin infections. Fungal infections include athlete’s foot and scabies is said to be parasitic in nature.

Impetigo

Impetigo

Impetigo is a highly contagious skin condition which usually occurs on the face, neck, and hands of young children, infants and the adults. This bacterial skin infection causes red sores that can break open, ooze fluid, and even develop a yellow-brown crust anywhere on the body. It is caused by one of the two kinds of bacteria step or staph which enter the body when the skin is damaged because of other skin conditions.

Treatment:

Generally impetigo is treated with the help of antibiotics. In the case of mild impetigo ointments or creams are more than sufficient. But, when the case is rather serious, help of antibiotic pills is taken. For at-home treatments, make sure to clean the affected area several times a day. Do not scrub it, as it can further irritate the skin. Soak the affected area in tea tree oil soap or in 1:32 solution of vinegar and water.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is considered as a painful infection of the outer layer caused by bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus. It occurs near the breaks in the skin and occasionally appears on the normal skin too. One may experience pain, swelling, warmth, tenderness, and redness in the infected area. If left untreated, pus may form and cells may die in the infected area.

Treatment:

Oral antibiotics are said to be the best option when it comes to treating mild cellulitis. Apart from them, rest the affected area to relieve discomfort and swelling. Apply coconut oil or tea tree oil directly on the affected area. Dilute tea tree oil if required and leave it on for a few hours to be washed away later. Re-apply either one of them several times a day until the problem is cured.

Herpes Simplex

Herpes Simplex

The herpes simplex virus is also known as HSV, an infection that is known to cause herpes. Though, it can appear on any part of the body, but most commonly in and around the mouth and the genital areas. It is mainly caused by two types of herpes simplex virus. HSV-1 is known as oral herpes which causes cold sores and fever blisters around the mouth. Whereas, HSV-2 virus is responsible for outbreak of genital herpes.

Treatment:

The truth is, there is no cure for this skin infection. However, there are treatments that can help to get rid of the sores and limit the outbreak altogether. To do that, make the best use of the ice packs. Place it on the affected area for 10 minutes, several times a day. Else, use apple cider vinegar to decrease the severity. Just dip a cotton ball in it and apply it three to four times a day. Or, just add one to two tsp of apple cider vinegar to a cup of water and drink it.

Warts

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the reason for warts. This condition makes the skin grow bumps which though are not dangerous, but are definitely ugly, potentially embarrassing, contagious, and quite painful. The virus that causes it, stimulate a quick growth of the cells on the skin’s outer layer which leads to this condition. Most common warts appear on the fingers near the fingernails, on the hands and sometimes even in the genital area.

Treatment:

Home treatment is the first treatment often used for warts. If done correctly, it can be less painful than the surgical treatment. It usually involves salicylic acid. Before applying it, soak the wart in tea tree oil soap water to help loosen, soften, and clean the skin thoroughly. Apply the acid and cover the area with a sock or bandage at night, wash off the medicine in the morning. Another method to treat is by using duct tapes. It involves covering the wart with it for several days, then soaking it and finally rubbing it off to remove the dead skin.

Shingles

Shingles, a painful rash is also known as herpes zoster as it is caused by a virus called varicella-zoster. They are most common among older adults and people with a weak immune system because of stress, certain medicines, injury, etc. Their symptoms usually appear in a band, a strip, or in a small area on one side of the face or body. Since it is caused by the same virus as that of chickenpox, once a person gets shingle the virus sleeps in the nerve roots, but it might wake up too.

Treatment:

Initially antiviral medicines can be used to reduce the pain and duration of the shingles. Pain medicines, antidepressants, and topical creams on the other hand, can be used to relieve long-term pains. But, to treat them at home, take a cold water bath using a tea tree oil body soap to ease the pain and discomfort. Avoid water that is too cold. To give it a healing touch, add oatmeal or starch to the bath. Right after you are done with the bath, do not forget to apply soothing lotions on the affected area.

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is a very common skin condition that affects not just only the sole of the foot, but also the skin between the toes. It is a contagious fungal skin infection that also has the tendency to spread to the toenails and sometimes to the hands too. This infection is basically caused by a fungus, tinea pedis. Thus, it usually appears in the form of red, scaly, itchy eruptions and occasionally it may be weepy and oozing.

Treatment:

Athlete’s foot is an infection that can be avoided if good care is taken of the foot in advance. This can be done by keeping the feet dry and clean by wearing the right shoes or sandals along with the sock. Whenever required allow them to breathe. Using a talcum or anti-fungal powder on your feet is another great option. But, to treat the already infected area over the counter fungal creams are good at getting rid of it. First of all, do make sure to wash your feet with an anti-fungal tea tree oil soap. Or, soak your feet in 2 tbsp of salt in water, or mix tea tree oil with olive oil in equal parts to rub the mixture on the infected area twice a day.

Scabies

Scabies

Scabies is a skin infestation caused by a very tiny mite known as sarcoptes scabiei. They can very easily live up to two months on the surface of the human skin. This is where they reproduce on the surface and then burrow into the skin, and lay eggs. This leads to a very itchy, pimple like a rash to form on the skin. It is a highly contagious condition that can be passed through direct skin contact, infested clothing, or even bleeding.

Treatment:

If you are waiting and hoping for this infection to go on its own, well it won’t. It can only be cured with the help of medications that will kill the mites or with the help of proper home treatments. Cayenne pepper is among one of the famous home treatments used for treating scabies. It contains capsaicin, a chemical that reduces pain sensations when applied to the skin topically. Similarly, tiger balm, anise seed oil, neem oil, clove oil, rosemary oil, as well as tea tree oil helps to fight scabies mites and parasites topically.

Conclusion:

No matter what the type of infection is, do not be disappointed, even if there is no cure. Because, there’s always a way to make it less severe. Whereas, on the other occasions, do what you can to prevent the ones that can be prevented to enjoy a joyful life ahead.