The skin serves as an outer protective covering that regulates temperature and sensation. Sometimes, the skin can develop rashes, infections, sores, blisters and cuts. These manifestations may be itchy and even painful. A number of skin disorders exist.
Impetigo
According to the Mayo Clinic, impetigo is a contagious skin disease that wreaks havoc in children and infants. Its manifestations include red sores that can rupture, exude and later form a yellow to brown-colored crust. Impetigo is itchy and can take on a fluid or pus-filled form. In fact, there exist three types of impetigo: impetigo contagiosa, bullous impetigo and ecythema. Impetigo contagiosa is the most common form of impetigo, according to the Mayo Clinic. It starts as a red sore and begins to exude pus or fluid, leaving a honey-colored crust. Bullous impetigo leads to fluid-filled blisters in the arms, legs and trunk. Ecythema is a type of impetigo that seeps into the middle layer of skin called the dermis, says the Mayo Clinic.
Simply keeping the skin clean and dry can make impetigo disappear. Physicians may also prescribe topical corticosteroids, such as mupirocin ointment or oral (taken by mouth) antibiotics, to fight any existing infections.
Erysipelas
Erysipelas is another type of skin disorder. According to MedlinePlus, erysipelas is a skin infection caused by the group A streptoccocus bacteria. Skin sores, a skin abrasion or vein or lymph drainage problems can increase the risk of developing erysipelas, according to MedlinePlus. Manifestations of erysipelas include fever, chills, sores located in the nose bridge or cheeks and red and swollen skin near the skin sores.
Antibiotics such as penicillin can be given to treat erysipelas.
Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
Necrotizing soft tissue infections refer to a rare and potentially life-threatening skin infection that invades skin, muscles and other surrounding tissues. Numerous types of bacteria cause this disease, with Streptococcus pyogenes being a bacteria that is commonly called the "flesh-eating bacteria."
Manifestations of necrotizing soft tissue infections include a red and painful bump on the skin. MedlinePlus says that this bump turns into a bronze or red-colored patch. The middle part of this patch can become black. This is medically known as an eschar and is a sign of tissue death. Other symptoms include fever, sweating, chills, weakness and even shock.
High doses of intravenous (through the vein) antibiotics are necessary to fight the bacteria causing the necrotizing soft tissue infection. In some causes, surgery may be necessary to remove the dead tissue. Skin grafts can replace this tissue. Depending on the bacteria, hyperbaric chamber therapy is an option to kill bacteria by exposing it to oxygen.
