Skin and soft tissue infection

 

SKIN AND SOFT TISSUE INFECTION .

 

Skin infections are common and can be caused by a wide range of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, bacteria, mycoplasma and rickettsia. They range from acute to chronic and mild to life threatening. Because the skin has a limited repertoire of responding to insults, clinical manifestations of a skin infection similar to those caused by other substances or mechanisms, for example, allergic reactions such as toxic epidermal necrolysis toxic epidermal , or autoimmune skin diseases such as pemphigus.

 

Skin infections can cause superficial skin structures (for example hair follicles), the external intruder (eg, bites or chips) or hematogenously (foe example , an infection spread by gonococci). Therefore, the approach to identify a specific cause of skin infection mandates attention to detail, and the history, physical examination, laboratory tests and other diagnostic methods. The good news is that you can see signs of infection and also visually assess response to treatment. Thus, if empirical therapy fails, a more powerful diagnostic approach can arise.

Normal skin is heavily colonized by bacterial flora. The most common are the different pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis (coagulase negative). Skin infections and soft tissue are usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Streptococcus pyogenes. This article discusses the common and some not so common bacterial skin infections, including the impetigo, folliculitis, furncles and jewelry, cellulitis and erysipelas, gangrenous cellulitis, staphylococcal skin syndrome and burned scarlet. Impetigo and ecthyma are bacterial infections of the skin often caused by S. aureus and / or a group of Streptococcus.

 

Mild impetigo topical antibiotics and local, while widespread or severe one and in ecthyma systemic antibiotics like, cloxacillin, erythromycin, cephalexin, or azithromycin should be used. Folliculitis, furunculosis and anthrax infections by S. folliculocentric aureus varies with the depth and extent of ovarian follicles (t) and the surrounding tissue. These conditions can be treated by local or systemic antibiotics like cloxacillin, cephalexin, erythromycin, amoxicillin / clavulanic acid or vancomycin. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is a toxin mediated exfoliative skin disease caused by S. Phase II aureus group. Intravenous antibiotics such as penicillinase-resistant anti-staphylococcal methicillin, cloxacillin, cephalosporins or erythromycin are necessary.

 

Erysipelas and cellulitis are acute infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused most frequently group beta-hemolytic streptococci (erysipelas) or S. aureus requiring systemic antibiotics like oral or intravenous penicillin, erythromycin, cephalexin, cloxacillin, vacomycin, minocycline, or ciprofloxacin, depending on the severity of the case suspect organism and culture / sensitivity results. Cellulite is characterized by necrosis, gangrene, infection of the skin and underlying subcutaneous tissue due to various pathogens occur in a different position. Ampicillin, gentamicin, and either metronidazole or clindamycin intravenously with standard doses recommended for treatment.

Necrotizing soft tissue infections infection is a rare but very serious bacterial infection that can destroy the muscles, skin and underlying tissues. Necrotizing refers to something that causes tissue death. Many types of bacteria can cause this type of infection. A severe form and often fatal necrotizing infections of soft tissues caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, which is sometimes called "flesh-eating bacteria." Necrotizing soft tissue infections infection develops when bacteria enter the body, usually through small cut or scratch. Bacteria begins to grow and release harmful substances (toxins) which kills bacteria, interfering with blood flow to the tissues, breaking material in tissues, which rapidly spread the bacteria, leading to widespread effects, such as shocks .

 

The first sign of infection may be a small red, painful spot or bump on the skin. This quickly turned into a bronze medal, very painful or purple patch that grows rapidly. The centre may become black and die. The skin can break open and oozing fluid. The wound may quickly grow in less than an hour. Symptoms may include malaise, fever, sweats, chills, nausea, dizziness, profound weakness, and, finally, shock. Without treatment, death comes quickly.