Your skin is an important protective component of your body. It shelters your organs and emits sweat to keep you cool on humid and hot days. Typically, your skin is covered with all sorts of bacteria. If it enters your body, this bacteria can play a role in causing such symptoms as stomach pains, diarrhea and vomiting. Sometimes, a mite can also cause a crippling condition. Bacteria or mites can wreak havoc on your skin and cause contagious skin diseases.
Tinea Infections
Ringworm, also known as a tinea infection, is a fungal infection that can accumulate on your skin, fingernails and hair, according to FamilyDoctor.org. In fact, there are numerous types of tinea infections. Tinea corporis is ringworm of your body, and it primarily affects your skin. Symptoms of this infection include itchy, red, small spots that can form larger ring-like structures. Tinea corporis is ringworm of your legs, chest and arms. Tinea pedis refers to ringworm of your foot and is commonly known as athlete's foot. Here, the fungal infection resides between your toes and causes excruciating itchiness, redness and blisters. Tinea capitis is ringworm of your head. It is a fungal infection that can lead to baldness. Tinea cruris is a type of ringworm that affects your genitals and is commonly known as jock itch. Typically you can get tinea infections when you touch someone suffering from this condition. You can also get them from inanimate objects, such as public showers. Your doctor can prescribe an antifungal medication to get rid of these infections.
Scabies
Scabies is a contagious skin condition passed via the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. Symptoms of scabies include excessive itching--especially at night--and track-like marks on your skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, these tracks typically appear in the skin folds of your buttocks, breasts, knees and armpits. It can also be found on your waist, elbows and between your fingers. Scabies can be acquired through close contact with infected persons. You can also get it by sharing clothes and bedsheets, the Mayo Clinic reports. Treatment involves prescription-strength medication, such as permethrin or crotamiton. Lotions and creams are also available to kill the scabies mite.
Impetigo
Impetigo is another common contagious skin condition. Impetigo symptoms include pus-filled blisters that can ooze yellow fluid, a rash and skin lesions on your face, legs, arms and lips. Impetigo is contagious because the pus and fluid contain the infection. If you happen to touch it, you can get impetigo. Human, animal or insect bites and skin trauma can cause openings in your skin that are susceptible to the impetigo infection. Your doctor will prescribe either an antibacterial cream or medication to treat your impetigo.
