Skin is a barrier between the internal organs and the environment. However, because of frequent breaks in the skin, infections can occur. Approximately 15 percent of all patients who seek medical attention have either some skin disease or lesion,...
Skin infections fall into three general categories: fungal, viral and bacterial. According to the Cleveland Clinic's Center for Continuing Education website, some of the most common bacterial skin infections include cellulitis, impetigo,...
Impetigo is a highly contagious, itchy skin infection caused by bacteria that penetrates the skin's surface, often through a cut or a scratch. While anyone can develop impetigo, children are more likely to suffer from it. Symptoms might be mild...
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the most common cause of a toenail infection is a fungus and 12 percent of Americans are affected by it. Normally, there are a number of bacteria and fungi present on the body, but a fungus can...
Scabies is a skin infestation caused by a microscopic mite. The tiny mite burrows under the skin causing an extremely itchy reaction. This common infestation occurs in over 300 million people around the world each year, states the American Academy...
Skin problems affect many people at some point in their lives. There are a number of common skin problems such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. Problems may also occur when skin becomes damaged or broken, as bacterial infections may lead to skin...
Ringworm is a fungal infection that strikes the skin, leaving itchy, red and scaly patches of skin. These patches of skin may blister and seep fluids, and tend to be round in shape with a darker border surrounding the outside. The fungus can be...
Skin resurfacing removes the top layers of skin, revealing the fresh, younger skin underneath. Three major types of skin resurfacing exist: laser resurfacing, dermabrasion and chemical peels. The removal of aged skin rejuvenates the skin by...
The skin is the barrier that separates the inside of the body from the outside environment. When the skin breaks or allergens from the outside environment find their way inside the body, a skin disorder may develop. According to Medline Plus, the...
Cefdinir is a prescription cephalosporin antibiotic medication that helps prevent the spread of pathogenic bacteria through the body, according to Drugs.com. This medication is typically administered orally as a liquid or capsule up to twice...
Chicken pox is a disease that is caused by the virus varicella zoster. It is a disease that is highly infectious and can be spread by direct contact or through the air via sneezing or coughing, or when material from lesions on the skin becomes...
Pyoderma describes any skin infection that is pyogenic, meaning there is local inflammation serious enough to cause the production of pus. It may be caused by an infectious agent such as bacteria or fungus or, rarely, it can signal an autoimmune...
Eczema is a skin inflammation that itches. Most common in children, the condition is chronic and can last into adulthood. Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema, affecting 10 to 20 percent of children and 1 to 3 percent of adults,...
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can become life-threatening when left untreated. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, cellulitis can spread your lymph nodes, causing deeper infection. Cellulitis causes...
Bed bugs live in warm and dry places, like mattresses, and feed on blood. A person of any age is at risk for getting bed bug bites and the treatment is the same for every age. If your baby gets bitten by bed bugs, you can handle it by controlling...
Tea tree oil is made from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree, which is native to Australia and Asia. Tea tree oil has a long history of medicinal uses, dating to the Aborigines of Australia. You can use tea tree oil topically for many...
Avelox is the brand name for the generic drug moxifloxacin. This medication is a type of fluoroquinolone antibiotic that interferes with bacterial replication and growth within the body. Patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, under the age of...
Many people think the skin condition acne involves pimples on the skin's surface. But in the most severe types of acne, abscesses can develop below the surface of the skin, potentially causing pain, infection and scarring. The types of acne...
Darkened, itchy skin can stem from a number of causes, ranging from simple dry skin to certain skin disorders. Although darkened itchy skin is generally harmless, it can be uncomfortable and unsightly. Often, these areas of irritated skin can be...
As the largest organ of the body, the skin is a common site of disease. Serving as the body's interface with the environment, the skin is vulnerable to an array of infectious diseases that occur throughout life. Bacteria, viruses and fungi cause...
Razor burn is a painful consequence of shaving with razors. This occurs when the razor irritates the skin, which can lead to bacterial infections. Shaving can also encourage ingrown hairs that lead to razor bumps, a painful and unsightly skin...
Allergic contact dermatitis blisters are the result of an allergic skin reaction to a particular substance, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Allergic contact dermatitis is a hypersensitivity of the immune system that causes a skin...
Cellulitis, according to the Mayo Clinic, is a common but possibly severe skin infection. The Mayo Clinic reports that cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body, but most commonly affects the skin on the legs. MedlinePlus, an online medical...
Bedbugs are insects that live in bedding and mattresses. These small, flat bugs stay out of sight during the day and come out at night to feed on the blood of their host. After eradication in the 1940s, the reddish-brown parasite made a resurgence...
Cellulitis is potentially severe bacterial infection of the skin, according to the Mayo Clinic. Children's Hospital Boston reports that cellulitis often affects the skin on a child's arms, legs or face, but can affect the skin anywhere on the...
Rashes, also known as dermatitis, are the result of inflammation of the skin. This inflammation leads to redness and itching. Rashes generally aren't considered a medical emergency, but they can cause serious discomfort. Rashes can also signal...
You might think of acne as a teenage disease, and you wouldn't be wrong: about 85 percent of teens in the United States get pimples each year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. But one-quarter of adult men suffer from acne at some...
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of your feet. Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, may be short-lived or it may recur, even after treatment. Fungi thrive in the warm, moist parts of your body, such as your feet when they are covered by...
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is a contagious bacterial infection that typically affects the skin or nasal passageways. This type of bacterial infection is very difficult to treat because the pathogen responsible for...
Staph infections cover a variety of skin infections, some more dangerous than others. Learn more about staph infection in this health video.
Lice are tiny, wingless, parasitic insects that feed on your blood. Lice spread easily through close personal contact and by sharing belongings. Learn about the different treatments for lice in this medical video.
Chickenpox are caused by the Varicella-Zoster virus, which is closely related to the herpes simplex viruses. Learn more about Varicella-Zoster virus in this health video.
Sweating or leaving your feet damp after showers can lead to athlete's foot, a skin rash that targets damp, covered areas. Learn about athlete's foot from a doctor in this video on skin care.
