How to Prevent Skin Infections

Although there are millions of species of fungi, only about 300 of them can actually cause infections in humans. There are several types of fungal infections that can affect your skin.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most common fungal skin infections and the ways they can be treated and prevented.

Fungi live everywhere. They can be found in plants, soil, and even on your skin. These microscopic organisms on your skin typically don’t cause any problem, unless they multiply faster than normal or penetrate your skin through a cut or lesion.

Since fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, fungal skin infections can often develop in sweaty or damp areas that don’t get much airflow. Some examples include the feet, groin, and folds of skin.

Often, these infections appear as a scaly rash or discoloration of the skin that is often itchy.

Some fungal skin infections are very common. Although the infection can be annoying and uncomfortable, it’s typically not serious.

Fungal skin infections are often spread through direct contact. This can include coming into contact with fungi on clothing or other items, or on a person or animal.

Many common fungal infections can affect the skin. In addition to the skin, another common area for fungal infections is mucous membranes. Some examples of these are vaginal yeast infections and oral thrush.

Below, we’ll explore some of the most common types of fungal infections that can impact the skin.

Ringworm of the body (tinea corporis)

Contrary to its name, ringworm is caused by a fungus and not a worm. It typically occurs on the torso and limbs. Ringworm on other areas of the body can have different names, such as athlete’s foot and jock itch.

The main symptom of ringworm is a ring-shaped rash with slightly raised edges. The skin inside these circular rashes usually looks healthy. The rash can spread and is often itchy.

Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection and is highly contagious. It’s not serious, though, and can usually be treated with an antifungal cream.

Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis)

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that affects the skin on your feet, often between your toes. Typical symptoms of athlete’s foot include:

• itching, or a burning, stinging sensation between your toes or on the soles of your feet
• skin that appears red, scaly, dry, or flaky
• cracked or blistered skin

In some cases, the infection can also spread to other areas of your body. Examples include your nails, groin, or hands (tinea manuum).

Jock itch (tinea cruris)

Jock itch is a fungal skin infection that happens in the area of your groin and thighs. It’s most common in men and adolescent boys.

The main symptom is an itchy red rash that typically starts in the groin area or around the upper inner thighs. The rash may get worse after exercise or other physical activity and can spread to the buttocks and abdomen.

The affected skin may also appear scaly, flaky, or cracked. The outer border of the rash can be slightly raised and darker.

Ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis)

This fungal infection affects the skin of the scalp and the associated hair shafts. It’s most common in young children and needs to be treated with prescription oral medication as well as antifungal shampoo. The symptoms can include:

• localized bald patches that may appear scaly or red
• associated scaling and itching
• associated tenderness or pain in the patches

Tinea versicolor

Tinea versicolor, sometimes called pityriasis versicolor, is a fungal/yeast skin infection that causes small oval discolored patches to develop on the skin. It’s caused by an overgrowth of a specific type of fungus called Malassezia, which is naturally present on the skin of about 90 percent of adults.

These discolored skin patches most often occur on the back, chest, and upper arms. They may look lighter or darker than the rest of your skin, and can be red, pink, tan, or brown. These patches can be itchy, flaky, or scaly.

Tinea versicolor is more likely during the summer or in areas with a warm, wet climate. The condition can sometimes return following treatment.

Cutaneous candidiasis

This is a skin infection that’s caused by Candida fungi. This type of fungi is naturally present on and inside our bodies. When it overgrows, an infection can happen.

Candida skin infections occur in areas that are warm, moist, and poorly ventilated. Some examples of typical areas that can be affected include under the breasts and in the folds of the buttocks, such as in diaper rash.

The symptoms of a Candida infection of the skin can include:

• a red rash
• itching
• small red pustules

Onychomycosis (tinea unguium)

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of your nails. It can affect the fingernails or the toenails, although infections of the toenails are more common.

You may have onychomycosis if you have nails that are:

• discolored, typically yellow, brown, or white
• brittle or break easily
• thickened

Prescription medications are often required to treat this type of infection. In severe cases, your doctor may remove some or all of an affected nail.

Eczema puts you at greater risk for developing skin infections, such as staph and impetigo, but there are ways to lessen your risk.

Mom always said to wash any cuts and bandage them to prevent skin infections, and there’s good reason for her advice. From MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and impetigo to other nasty versions of staph, bacteria can enter through breaks in the skin and cause infections. People with eczema need to be especially diligent and making sure this doesn’t happen.

Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is basically a skin condition that causes itching, redness, and sometimes blistering and peeling. Common sense will tell you that having eczema means you’re more likely to get infections due to the inevitable cuts and cracks in the skin, which can be an opening for bacteria to invade.

However, that’s not the only reason. With eczema, lower immunity and an imbalance between two important divisions of T cells render the skin more prone to certain infections such as staph and strep, explains Tanya Kormeili, MD, assistant clinical professor in the department of dermatology at the University of California at Los Angeles and in private practice in Santa Monica.

Controlling Eczema to Prevent Skin Infections

Prevention is easier when eczema is under control. To help keep skin in good shape, follow these steps:

• Moisturize. Daily moisturizing is key. Avoid moisturizers with perfumes or fragrances and a long list of ingredients. A plain moisturizer like petroleum jelly (Vaseline and other brands) works best. In general keep in mind greasy moisturizers are better than creamy ones which often have more preservatives. Moisturize your hands after every time you wash them.
• Avoid triggers. Stay away from anything that can irritate the skin. The list ranges from detergents and household cleaning products to turpentine, gasoline, and other solvents.
• Wear gloves. Don gloves outside in the winter as cold air and low humidity may dry out the skin and make eczema worse. Wear vinyl or plastic gloves when touching anything that can irritate the skin, like dish soap or other cleaning products.
• Select all soaps carefully. Use only a mild soap like Dove or Olay when bathing, showering, or washing your hands. Use warm, not hot water, and pat your skin dry instead of rubbing. Put moisturizer on immediately.
• Don’t irritate the skin. Try not to scratch or rub the area. Keep fingernails short. Also, avoid getting too hot or sweaty, which can make the skin feel even itchier. If itchiness won’t go away, try using a cold compress to help reduce the need to scratch.
• Visit a dermatologist. If your symptoms persist, tell your doctor — you may need steroid medication or other treatments.

Symptoms of Eczema-Related Skin Infections

Symptoms of a staph infection of the skin may include one or more of the following:

• Pus-producing lesions
• Yellow-orange or honey-colored crusting over the lesions
• Infected hair follicles
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes

Treatment generally involves using an antibiotic.

Viruses including herpes simplex (the same virus that causes cold sores) and human papillomavirus, among others, may also infect the skin. A herpes simplex infection can cause eczema herpeticum, a watery, blistery, itchy area of skin. Fever is part of the infection as is pain from those blisters.

If you have eczema and you suspect that you have a skin infection of any kind, call your doctor immediately, advises Dr. Kormeili. Treatments are available and the sooner they’re started, the faster your recovery.

With many frontline healthcare workers wearing face masks for much of the day, some are experiencing uncomfortable skin damage. One of the authors of a recent article on the topic offers advice.

Share on Pinterest Personal protective equipment includes face masks, but wearing them for prolonged periods can damage the skin.

All data and statistics are based on publicly available data at the time of publication. Some information may be out of date. Visit our coronavirus hub and follow our live updates page for the most recent information on the COVID-19 outbreak.

Face masks need to fit snuggly to the wearer’s face, and they must close tightly around the nose to ensure that they offer maximum protection.

However, in a fast paced, stressful, and sometimes hot environment, this can lead to discomfort and skin damage.

A recent study investigates this type of skin damage in detail. One of the authors of the paper, Prof. Karen Ousey from the University of Huddersfield in the United Kingdom, explains:

“The wearers are sweating underneath the masks, and this causes friction, leading to pressure damage on the nose and cheeks. There can be tears to the skin as a result, and these can lead to potential infection.”

Usually, dressing a wound would help minimize further damage and prevent infection. However, in this situation, a dressing might prevent the mask from fitting correctly and, therefore, increase infection risk. The researchers published their article in the Journal of Wound Care in February.

The article covers a range of medical devices, including endotracheal and nasogastric tubes, oxygen tubing, urinary catheters, cervical collars, and casts. However, it is the increased use of face masks that has brought the study into the limelight.

The recent article is one of the first to offer advice on safely applying these medical devices. The authors advise both healthcare practitioners and the industry that creates and designs medical devices.

Stay informed with live updates on the current COVID-19 outbreak and visit our coronavirus hub for more advice on prevention and treatment.

The paper focuses on pressure ulcers that develop due to medical devices, in particular. Pressure ulcers are injuries that result from pressure breaking down the skin and underlying tissue.

These ulcers can increase the risk of infections, such as sepsis, which might be life threatening. They also cause pain, leave scars, result in permanent hair loss, and increase the duration of hospital stays.

Prof. Ousey advises people who wear masks for long periods to keep their skin well-hydrated and moisturized. People should apply a barrier cream, she advises, at least 30 minutes before putting on the mask. It is also important to keep the skin under the mask clean.

“[W]e are suggesting that pressure from the mask is relieved every 2 hours. So you come away from the patient, relieve the pressure in a safe place, and clean the skin again.”

Certain members of the public — for instance, people working in stores — might also wear these masks to reduce infection risk. Prof. Ousey suggests that if they feel their masks rubbing, they should “take them off as soon as they safely can.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recently updated their guidelines for the use of face coverings. Symptoms of COVID-19 take up to 14 days to appear, and some people can have the infection without displaying symptoms.

For this reason, the CDC recommend that people who must leave the house wear a fabric face covering to protect others.

However, the CDC ask that people do not buy medical grade face masks, such as the N-95, because frontline healthcare workers need these, and they are already in short supply. Instead, they provide a guide to making your own.

As these masks fit less snuggly than clinical ones, the risk of pressure sores is lower. However, caring for the skin will further reduce the chances of pressure sores developing.

The CDC recommend that all people wear cloth face masks in public places where it is difficult to maintain a 6-foot (2-meter) distance from others. This will help slow the spread of the virus from asymptomatic people and people who do not know that they have contracted it. People should wear cloth face masks while continuing to practice physical distancing. Instructions for making masks at home are available here. Note: It is critical that surgical masks and N95 respirators are reserved for healthcare workers.

A staph infection is a type of infection caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus. This bacteria lives freely within the environment and does not require a host to live, although it may live within the upper respiratory system or the skin of a host. Staph infection in dogs is as common as it is in humans, and it’s important for pet owners to know its symptoms and how to treat it.

The most common type of staph infection in dogs is an infection within the skin or Staphylococcal Dermatitis. The reaction is a bacterial infection that causes the dog’s skin to redden and become inflamed. The bacteria is found naturally on the outside of the pet’s skin and is not harmful as long as the skin remains healthy. The infection occurs once the skin becomes irritated or injured, allowing the bacteria to enter the later of skin and cause an infection.

Signs and Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of staph infections are easily identifiable. The symptoms consist mainly of skin abscesses, pain, loss of appetite, skin inflammation with pus-filled lesions, infections of the dog’s eyes, skin, ears, or respiratory system, and excessive itching, chewing or licking.

The infected area may also be crusty or scaley, with areas of redness. Keeping track of the different symptoms will allow a vet to accurately identify whether it was staph or some other bacteria that caused the infection.

Diagnosis of Staph Infection in Dogs

It’s not the type of infection you’re likely to diagnose at home. If you observe some of the signs mentioned above, approach the vet with a comprehensive list of those symptoms that the dog has been experiencing, and the veterinarian will then perform a physical examination of the dog.

Vets will often conduct a biochemistry profile, a urinalysis, complete blood test, and a skin test to determine if allergies or immune-related issues are causing the inflammation. In severe cases of infection, a skin biopsy and a skin swab will be taken to determine which of the antibiotics will work best.

Treatment of Staph in Dogs

The most common course of treatment for a staph infection in dogs involves oral antibiotic medication. If the infection is mainly within the skin, an antibacterial shampoo or topical ointment may be prescribed.

It requires several weeks of treatment before a staph infection is considered to be under control. The main concern should be completing the full course of antibiotics as the staph infection can show no outward symptoms or signs, but may still exist underneath the animal’s skin and reappear at a later date.

At-home treatment is possible when the infection is in the beginning stages. Keeping the area clean and preventing the dog from messing with the infected area using an dog cone collar is critical. If the infection continues to spread, there is a minimal chance of the staph infection healing completely using the at-home treatment alone.

How to Prevent Staph Infections

As the bacteria are always on the outside of their skin, the main ways to prevent staph infection in dogs consist of reducing irritants that may cause your pet to scratch or damage the outer layer of the skin. There are three simple ways to reducing these irritants on the skin.

1. Removing Allergens

Dogs with severe or frequent allergies are at a higher risk for developing staph infections as their skin is constantly irritated, causing them to constantly scratch and nip at the affected areas. Removal of these allergens will reduce the possibility of the opening of sores and scratches on their skin.

Identifying the allergen is the first step; removal comes next. If the allergen is an environmental allergen, like grass, getting allergy medication from the vet, or visiting the vet once each month to get an allergy shot is the best option. Initially, it may be a more substantial investment, but is made up for with the prevention of staph infections, as they can be costly as they develop into later stages and require intense treatment.

2. Maintaining Proper Nutrition

Keeping the dog in good health will allow the dog to prevent staph from the inside out. When proper nutrient intake is supported, along with activity levels and hydration, the dog is less likely to develop health conditions or diseases. Pay attention to what your pooch may be allergic too; pick foods that work for dogs with sensitivities, or switch to a homemade diet for dogs with skin allergies.

When dogs receive foods that agree with their system and are prevented from developing conditions and diseases through proper nutrition, that prevents them from causing issues within their skin, which would otherwise provoke the dog into scratching or biting, eventually resulting in bacteria getting under the skin.

3. Keeping Good Hygiene

Making sure that the dog’s hygiene is always maintained can significantly reduce the risk of staph infections. Regular washes (but not too frequent) and grooming can help reduce fleas and ticks, removing them as potential irritants. When a grooming schedule is maintained, unusual spots on their skin become easily noticeable as well as being able to quickly notice when the dog has an open wound or scratch.

Treating the wounds at home before infection rather than waiting for an infection to take place to start treatment can reduce the risk of staph becoming an issue too. Like humans, dog wounds can be treated initially by cleaning the affected area regularly and keeping the area protected from dirt and debris in the environment. If the wound successfully heal on its own without vet intervention, a staph infection has been avoided.

Is Staph Contagious?

Yes, staph infections are contagious and they’re zoonotic. It can be transmitted from dog to dog and even from dog to human. Dog to human transmission is very rare, but not impossible. People with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk of infections.

Dog to dog transmission of staph is very common. If the dog comes in contact with another dog that may be suffering from a staph infection or has open wounds, they are both at risk for further infection.

Staph infections can also be transferred through bites and scratches caused by other animals. These infections can be higher-risk, and a vet should be contacted immediately to test and see if there was staph within the inflicted wound.

By: Dr. Wang Skincare Education Team

Kimberly is a 21-year-old college student. As a child, she had eczema, currently she is disease-free and only has very dry and sensitive skin. For some time now, she has repeat bouts of Folliculitis (infection of the hair follicles) on the lower legs and superficial skin infection on the cheek. Each time, she was successfully treated with oral antibiotics, but she wonders why the skin infections keeps coming back.

Kimberly is not alone in experiencing such recurrent bouts of skin infection. Individuals with eczema have itchy, red and peeling skin. Their skin barrier is often breached, making them susceptible for skin infection. Worst of all, each episode of skin infection can trigger a worsening or flair of previous eczema (much like Kimberly). The same phenomenon may be seen in patients with Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome, as many patients often complain about recurrence and worsening of their skin flare.

There may be another explanation. There are a small percentage of people who have Staph Aureus (a gram-positive bacteria) living inside their noses. They are so-called Staph carriers. The nasal cavity serves as a reservoir for the bacteria to spread to any part of the body where a breach of the skin barrier exists.

After seeing the third dermatologist about her problem, Kimberly finally had a culture swab performed from her nasal cavities (a very simple and gentle procedure). Essentially, the physician takes a culture probe (Q tip) and gently rubs it inside the nose. The probe is then sent for bacteria culture analysis.

Yes, the results proved Kimberly had Staph Aureus. Her dermatologist instructed her to apply topical antibiotics (Mupirocin) twice a day to inside the nose. Since the treatment was initiated, Kimberly has not had any additional skin infection.

Bottom line, if you have a recurrent skin infection. It is a good idea to see your physician and ask about whether or not you may be a Staph carrier. Also, flairs of eczema can be prevented. The simple culture analysis followed by daily topical application of antibiotics inside the nose can significantly reduce and prevent additional skin infection. Lastly, in general, the culture swab can be performed on patients of all ages.

We hope this blog was helpful. Please share it with your friends. If you wish to read future articles on attaining healthier skin, please subscribe to our newsletter. If you have comments or suggestions for future blog topics, please contact us.

• Tags: eczema, infection, staph aureus, topical steroid withdrawal

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The primary way to help prevent skin infections is by ensuring that appropriate care is taken of your skin in varied ways. Skin infections are usually caused by harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and it becomes imperative to prevent infections that are caused by these harmful elements in order to keep your skin healthy. Sometimes, skin infections also carry a risk of serious consequences. With the objective to help prevent skin infections, we bring forward a list of tips to assist you.

Luckily, there are many things you can do to keep your skin stronger and healthier. Here is a list of things that you can do to keep skin infections at bay.

Following good personal hygiene habits will irrefutably take you a long way ahead in keeping your skin free from all kinds of infections. Good hygiene habits definitely aid in limiting the possibility of harmful germs to find a way into the body. Some of the most fundamental habits that you must follow are:

One of the most effective ways to prevent skin infections is by keeping your hands clean. It is imperative to wash your hands frequently with the help of a natural antifungal soap. Remember, your soap should contain essential oils like Tea Tree oil and Eucalyptus oil. You even get good Tea Tree Oil soap in the market, which will come in very handy for keeping your hands clean and germ-free.

A daily shower is mandatory in order to keep your skin healthy. Make sure you clean your body with natural soaps only. It is not advisable to use chemical-based personal hygiene products as they will do more harm than good to your skin. Use a loofah, but do not use it too strongly. Be gentle with your skin while cleaning it with a loofah. A good shower will help you eliminate bad body odor and keep your skin bacteria-free.

Finally, ensure that you keep your skin properly moisturised. Dry skin will often lead to unneeded cracks on the skin and thereby allow bacteria to enter the cuts. A good moisturising lotion will prevent the cracking and peeling of the skin.

Sharing of personal items such as towels, shampoos, soaps, razors, clothes, shoes, and so forth, is strictly unadvisable. Sharing of personal hygiene items with your fellow mates leads to skin infections. You need to understand that skin infections are highly contagious, and sharing of personal items will make these infections travel rapidly. A fungal infection like Jock Itch is highly contagious and is usually spread through sharing of personal items. Therefore, one of the most effective ways to prevent skin infections is by not sharing hygiene products with anyone.

Your diet too plays a significant role in maintaining the health of your skin. A healthy diet will focus on leafy vegetables, fruits, whole-grains, and dairy products like milk and yogurt. Your diet should also include lean meats, beans, eggs, and nuts. Protein plays a pivotal role in healing wounds and skin rashes. Few skin experts even recommend eating raw garlic in order to prevent the occurrence of yeast infections. To cut the long story short, ensure that you eat foods that are power packed with vitamins and essential nutrients for a healthier skin.

A gym is supposedly one of the most susceptible places where people develop a skin infection. Of course, not everyone who goes to the gym develops skin infections. It is, however, advisable to remain alert and extra careful in protecting your skin at the gym. For instance, make sure you carry a hand towel and remember to wipe the gym equipment before and after every workout. Always wear flip-flops in public locker rooms. Change your gym clothes immediately once you are done with your training.

Body wipes are a great substitute for showers. You could face times when there is no water at your gym or you are running out of time to take a full-fledged shower, which is when body wipes will come in handy. Carry body wipes everywhere you go. You can wipe the dirt from your face and body as and when you want. The skin care market is inundated with plenty of players in the body wipes segment, and, therefore, you must ensure to buy and use only natural body wipes.

Our skin is prone to cuts and rashes. If you see a cut on your skin, make sure you immediately clean the cut by washing the affected part with clean water and antifungal soap. Ensure that you clean the cut thoroughly, without leaving any dirt in and around the cut. Applying an antiseptic cream on the wound is a good idea as it may destroy bacteria and also prevent skin infections from developing.

We usually take the health of our skin for granted, which further leads to more troubles in the long run. And, so, in order to ensure that the health of our skin is properly maintained, it is profoundly pertinent to get our skin checked regularly from a qualified dermatologist. Be observant of any anomalies that you may see on your skin. Look for redness, soreness, itchiness, swelling and pus, and immediately bring the matter to the attention of your doctor.

Quite understandably, skin infections only worsen when they are not treated in time. And, prevention is always better than cure. So, watch for symptoms such as constant pain, redness around an affected area, and so on that lead to skin infections. Infections pertaining to the skin are humiliating, and, sometimes, even debilitating. Therefore, make sure that you follow preventive measures in order to keep these skin infections at bay for good. Consult your doctor, if you are in doubt.

Amanda Simon is author at LeraBlog. The author’s views are entirely their own and may not reflect the views and opinions of LeraBlog staff.

Every day people are exposed to different types of bacteria, of which some are harmless some not. While some people become infected and others may not, over 160,000 people die due to infectious diseases according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is important to focus on prevention, especially since some people may not show symptoms at all. With many contrasting theories for why people may be more susceptible to bacterial infections than others, one thing scientists do agree on is key ways to be preventative.

How to Prevent Bacterial Infections

1. Wash Hands

Washing your hands multiple times per day is imperative especially if you are exposed to bodily fluids, animals, injuries, or soil and dirt. Bacteria thrive on currency, humans and animals. Make sure that you are using antibacterial soap and warm water when washing your hands. An alcohol hand gel is also highly recommended when exposed to sick individuals at home or work.

2. Handle Food Safely

When working with food, particularly raw meats, egg, or seafood, be sure to wash your hands before and after contact. It is highly recommended that you do not reuse a plate after it has been exposed to raw meat. Kitchen surfaces should be disinfected regularly. Storage of food in the refrigerator should be at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and in the freezer at 0 degrees or below. Discard any expired items and do not consume food that has been left out for more than 2 hours.

All fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly before use or consumption. Avoid eating uncooked or undercooked poultry, meat, or eggs. Cleanliness of the sink and preparation areas is key as they are feeding grounds for cross contamination.

3. Restrict Animal Contact

In terms of how to prevent bacterial infections, it is best to monitor contact with animals and avoid exposure to wild animals. While household pets may appear clean, they still harbor bacteria. Children, in particular, are highly susceptible to catching bacterial infections from animals. Disinfect toys and feeding areas if they are located in the home. Children should also avoid mouth contact to household pets.

4. Avoid Botulism

Be aware of cans of food which appear bloated and food with a foul spelling odor. Botulism is extremely hazardous and fatal upon consumption. Home canned foods highly associated with botulism are green beans, corn, beats, and asparagus, for example. One must follow strict procedures when canning foods at home.

Infant botulism is a strand linked with honey, so it is recommended not to give babies under the age of 12 months honey or products containing honey.

5. Educate Yourself on Bacteria Infections

For the benefit of your health and wellness, learn what causes bacterial infections to spread. Specific nutrients actually aid in the survival and multiplication of bacteria. Food is an ideal place for the hibernation of bacteria because they cling to sugars and starches. While some bacteria can be good for bodily functions, it is critical that you are educated in how to prevent bacterial infections. Growth of bacteria is also supported by biofilms located on toilets, sinks, and other similar surfaces.

6. Clean Home and Office

It is fundamental to try and reduce the number of bacteria through cleanliness. This can be easily done by concentrating on high-traffic areas and objects as they are exposed to human contact the most. Common areas to keep disinfected and clean on a regular basis are toilet handles, bathroom sinks, door knobs, and telephones. Use extra care and optimal cleaning with regular, once a week maintenance and antibacterial products.

7. Avoid Sick Individuals

It may seem obvious but in many cases it is difficult to know how sick another person is, whether just common cold or something more fatal. The best way for how to prevent bacterial infections is to simply avoid others who are even slightly sick. If you encounter someone who has an infectious disease, make sure you do not touch or exchange bodily fluids. People who appear infected with the flu, a common cold, or any other kind of contagious sickness should be avoided.

8. Contact the Physician

With the potential for bacterial infections to become life threatening, you should understand the threshold upon which to call a doctor. Symptoms which linger after 2-3 days can turn dangerous, and if you are experiencing pain and discomfort to the point that you require medication, seek medical assistance. Call your doctor if you have a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit lasting more than three days. Additional symptoms which may require further medical attention are a raptured eardrum with pus, coughing lasting a week or more while producing sputum, or vomiting and not being able to retain fluids.

Warning

The use of antibiotics without the supervision of a physician is highly discouraged. Antibiotics must be administered and monitored by a medical specialist. If not taken properly, these drugs can have a negative affect by actually helping bacteria to develop a resistance to the medication. Antibiotics should be the last line of defense when dealing with a bacterial infection.

Chafing can result in raw and painful rashes, but these treatments can soothe the skin.

This article was medically reviewed by Mona Gohara, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and member of the Prevention Medical Review Board.

It’s such a familiar scenario: After a day of (sweaty!) fun in the sun, your inner thighs are red, raw, and painful. Or when you get back from Zumba class, the skin under your sports bra straps is burning like crazy.

Yes, you’re experiencing skin chafing, a rash-like inflammation (medically known as intertrigo) that happens when moist skin rubs against other moist skin or clothing. It’s common in skin folds where sweat becomes trapped, such as the groin, the armpits, and under the breasts, and between the thighs, especially after walking or other forms of exercise. Wearing tight or loose clothing, long-distance running or cycling, hot weather, and having sensitive skin or being overweight can also increase your risk of chafing.

The most common signs of skin chafing include itching, red and inflamed skin, burning, stinging, and sometimes even bleeding or swelling. And because raw, moisture-laden skin invites microbial overgrowth, a skin infection can follow.

“Abrasion from moisture and friction makes microscopic cuts in the skin, and salt from sweat can exacerbate the irritation,” says Cameron Rokhsar, M.D., an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. In more severe cases, skin chafing can cause painful blisters, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Want to avoid chafed skin this season, or at least lessen its severity? Follow the dermatologist-approved advice below:

How to treat and soothe skin chafing

Cleanse with care.

Wash inflamed areas with a gentle body wash or plain lukewarm water to soothe irritation from dried sweat and help control fungal growth. Pat dry, don’t rub—then, if you can, let the inflamed skin air out for a few moments to make sure all dampness is gone. “You might even dry the area with a fan or a blowdryer set on cool,” Dr. Rokhsar says.

Calm it with ointments.

Treat chafed skin twice a day with a zinc oxide ointment (often used in diaper rash products) or a balm, such as Aquaphor Healing Ointment or Eucerin Original Healing Cream to soothe the abrasion and restore damaged skin. If you need something stronger for a one-time incident, try applying a topical over-the-counter corticosteroid twice a day for three days, then taper off and quit before the two-week mark. “You don’t want to use steroids long-term due to potential side effects like thinning skin, stretch marks, and spider veins,” Dr. Rokhsar says.

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that is resistant to several antibiotics.

Outside of Healthcare Settings

In the community (where you live, work, shop, and go to school), MRSA most often causes skin infections. In some cases, it causes pneumonia (lung infection) and other infections. If left untreated, MRSA infections can become severe and cause sepsis—the body’s extreme response to an infection.

In Healthcare Settings

In places such as a hospital or nursing home, MRSA can cause severe problems such as

Anyone can get MRSA. The risk increases with activities or places that involve crowding, skin-to-skin contact, and shared equipment or supplies. Some of the people who carry MRSA can go on to get a MRSA infection. Non-intact skin, such as when there are abrasions or incisions, is often the site of an MRSA infection. Athletes, daycare and school students, military personnel in barracks, and those who receive inpatient medical care or have surgery or medical devices inserted in their body are at higher risk of MRSA infection.

MRSA is usually spread in the community by contact with infected people or things that are carrying the bacteria. This includes through contact with a contaminated wound or by sharing personal items, such as towels or razors, that have touched infected skin.

The opioid epidemic may also be connected to the rise of staph infections in communities. People who inject drugs are 16 times more likely to develop a serious staph infection.

More about injection drug use and risk of infection on this factsheet pdf icon [PDF – 2 pages]

Approximately 5% of patients in U.S. hospitals carry MRSA in their nose or on their skin.

You can take these steps to reduce your risk of MRSA infection:

• Maintain good hand and body hygiene. Clean hands often, and clean your body regularly, especially after exercise.
• Keep cuts, scrapes, and wounds clean and covered until healed.
• Avoid sharing personal items such as towels and razors.
• Get care early if you think you might have an infection.

The symptoms of a MRSA infection depend on the part of the body that is infected. For example, people with MRSA skin infections often can get swelling, warmth, redness, and pain in infected skin. In most cases it is hard to tell if an infection is due to MRSA or another type of bacteria without laboratory tests that your doctor can order. Some MRSA skin infections can have a fairly typical appearance and can be confused with a spider bite. However, unless you actually see the spider, the irritation is likely not a spider bite.

Most S. aureus skin infections, including MRSA, appear as a bump or infected area on the skin that might be:

• red
• swollen
• painful
• warm to the touch
• full of pus or other drainage
• accompanied by a fever

Last updated April 29, 2016

The common fungal skin infections that affect people include candidiasis, ringworm, and athlete’s foot.

Fungus is found in abundance around the world. These range from tiny microorganisms to large mushrooms. Fungi can cause a variety of diseases in humans, some of them may be skin (cutaneous) related conditions, while others can affect the internal organs too (systemic).

The common fungal skin infections that affect individuals include candidiasis, ringworm, and athlete’s foot. Generally, it is not very easy to be rid of a fungal infection. The process may take many weeks. Here are a few general tips to prevent skin fungal infections and their spread to others:

• Keep skin clean and dry (especially the groin region, armpits): Fungus requires a warm and moist setting for it to grow and thrive.
• Avoid walking barefoot frequently in public places: This is true in common areas, like community pool areas, gyms, and locker rooms.
• Change your underwear or the pair of socks you wear, every day.
• Also, wear cotton clothes instead of those made of synthetic material.
• Avoid sharing items of clothing, bedding, sheets, even utensils. This can cause the spread of fungal skin infections through direct contact much faster.
• Use an anti-fungal powder regularly, particularly in hot humid climates, or if you frequent wet areas (due to sports or work requirement).
• Avoid tight-fitting and thick clothing, particularly made of synthetic material, especially if you have a body constitution that makes you to sweat a lot.
• Maintain common spaces that are regularly wet and frequented by many, in clean and hygiene condition.
• Avoid vaginal douches and perfumed deodorants, which may affect the ‘bacteria-balance’ in your body.
• Wash and clean your hands and legs, after you work in gardens or farms, or after outdoor camping, where you are exposed directly to the soil.
• Certain fungal infections can spread from infected animals and pets, such as dogs and cats, to humans. In such cases, the animals or pets may be present with bald skin patches.
• Try to reduce your daily (chronic) stress, whether at home, school, or office.

Always treat any fungal infection immediately, for this will prevent them from spreading to other parts of the body, or from spreading to others.

References and Information Sources used for the Article:

Crissey JT, Lang H, Parish LC. Manual of Medical Mycology, Blackwell Science, Cambridge 1995. p.36.

Wilson EK, Deweber K, Berry JW, Wilckens JH. Cutaneous infections in wrestlers. Sports health 2013;5:423-37.

Pecci M, Comeau D, Chawla V. Skin conditions in the athlete. Am J Sports Med 2009;37:406-18.

(accessed on 10/31/2014)

Goodman, J. L., Winston, D. J., Greenfield, R. A., Chandrasekar, P. H., Fox, B., Kaizer, H., . & Powderly, W. G. (1992). A controlled trial of fluconazole to prevent fungal infections in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. New England Journal of Medicine, 326(13), 845-851.

Fridkin, S. K., & Jarvis, W. R. (1996). Epidemiology of nosocomial fungal infections. Clinical microbiology reviews, 9(4), 499-511.

Feigin, R. D., & Cherry, J. D. (1998). Textbook of pediatric infectious diseases: Volume 1 (No. Ed. 4). WB saunders.

Ellis, M. E., Clink, H., Ernst, P., Halim, M. A., Padmos, A., Spence, D., . & Greer, W. (1994). Controlled study of fluconazole in the prevention of fungal infections in neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies and bone marrow transplant recipients. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 13(1), 3-11.

Heel, R. C., Brogden, R. N., Carmine, A., Morley, P. A., Speight, T. M., & Avery, G. S. (1982). Ketoconazole: a review of its therapeutic efficacy in superficial and systemic fungal infections. Drugs, 23(1-2), 1-36.

Huijgens, P. C., Simoons-Smit, A. M., Van Loenen, A. C., Prooy, E., Van Tinteren, H., Ossenkoppele, G. J., & Jonkhoff, A. R. (1999). Fluconazole versus itraconazole for the prevention of fungal infections in haemato-oncology. Journal of clinical pathology, 52(5), 376-380.

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Natural, Healthy Foods That Fight Fungal Infections

By Heather McClees

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Fungal infections can happen to anyone, no matter how strict your hygiene regimen is, or how healthy you are. We live in a world filled with bacteria, toxins, and most of us have a history of poor eating habits that can set us up for developing fungal infections more easily. For instance, high amounts of processed foods, (specifically sugar), meat and other animal-based foods, along with junk and fast food all contain additives, chemicals, hormones, pesticides, and damage our gut bacteria and weaken our bodies’ immune systems.

Antibiotics and prescription drugs only contribute to this problem, therefore we’re not able to fight off fungi we encounter every day like we normally would. Or, if you come in contact with spoiled food, some type of dangerous bacteria in the environment, or drink bacteria-laden water, you might also develop a fungal infection. The possibilities are endless, and though you needn’t walk around scared all the time, it’s still helpful to know how to fight fungal infections more naturally with your diet as much as possible. The healthier you eat, the better chance your immune system has for thriving.

Here are some especially powerful anti-fungal foods to add to your regimen:

1. Coconut

Coconut is one of the best anti-microbial foods you can eat that also comes with many other benefits too. It’s high in lauric acid and caprylic acid that has been shown to fight candida yeast in the body, which we all have in our digestive systems, but when it grows and becomes out of control, it causes symptoms like a rash or breakout, an itch, chronic fatigue, sugary cravings and even moodiness and depression. Coconut’s lauric acid content also helps boost immunity and its healthy fats improve your liver function.

Try to use whole coconut meat (or coconut butter) versus just the oil in your foods, then apply the oil on your skin to protect your skin from unhealthy bacteria you encounter through the environment. It also makes for a great non-toxic lotion and shaving cream.

2. Garlic

Another popular natural bacteria-fighting food is garlic, but not garlic powder or pre-minced garlic at the store – fresh garlic cloves. Garlic contains vitamin B6, potassium, it detoxifies the body, boosts immunity, strengthens the liver, and promotes a healthy heart. Garlic specifically fights bacteria in the digestive tract and helps build good bacteria since it’s a natural prebiotic food.

Use a clove a day to get the benefits; this is easy to do if you put a little fresh garlic onto a salad, in some roasted veggies or in soup, or if you eat raw, the cloves are easy to purée into raw soups and sauces. Here are some easy tips to grow your own garlic if you’d like to try that too.

3. Oregano

Many people use oregano oil to fight bacteria, but the whole leaf is also a smart choice. Oregano is one of the easiest herbs to grow yourself and also one of the most nutritious. A few leaves (about a tablespoon worth) contains more antioxidants than a whole cup of blueberries!

It helps fight bacteria in the body, strengthens the immune system and even reduces stress due to high levels of vitamin B6. Oregano is also a natural source of chlorophyll that also fights bacteria and acidity. Plus, let’s be honest – it’s pretty delicious!

4. Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are especially helpful at fighting parasites (which yes, are very easy to encounter through food, water, and even contact with animals and the general public!). They contain properties that bind to parasites and help excrete them through the digestive tract. Pumpkin seeds are also a wonderful source of plant-based protein, providing 13 grams in just 1/4 cup. Try to buy fresh, raw pumpkin seeds (organic is optimal) instead of roasted varieties with oil and salt for the most benefits.

Pumpkin seeds are also an overlooked source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3’s help improve your thyroid and can relieve dry skin that’s often associated with rashes due to skin fungal infections. Eat 1/4 cup of the seeds a day for the benefits to see how they work for you. You can use them in oatmeal, in or on top of a smoothie, top soup with them, or snack on them raw instead of unhealthy chips or candy.

5. Onions

A cheap and humble food, onions are a great addition to your diet , not just for flavor, but also for your health. Like garlic, they are healthy for your liver and heart, help fight the growth of bacteria, and are perfect to use whether you have a mild cold or even something more serious like a fungal infection. One reason is that they’re so high in immune-boosting properties. They’re a great source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, antioxidants, and potassium. You can use them raw or put them into a homemade broth to drink daily or use as a base for a healthy soup.

You might also look into some natural skin care creams for fungal infections that include tea tree oil, oregano, and natural substances versus chemical-based options at the store. Be sure to keep your diet as healthy as possible emphasizing clean, fresh foods and avoid animal products, refined sugar and grains, yeasty foods like bread, beer, baking (brewer’s) yeast, processed foods and fast foods. Avoid energy drinks, sodas, processed drinks, and consume water and herbal tea instead. If you must drink coffee, try to use fresh beans and buy organic since coffee is a highly sprayed crop coated with chemicals.

Try adding these foods to your diet and check our 5 Tips on How to Improve Your Gut if you need more tips on how to fight fungi and viruses more naturally.