<h3>What are skin infections?</h3> <p>Your skin is your body's largest organ. It has many different functions, including covering and protecting your body. It helps keep germs out. But sometimes the germs can cause a skin infection. It often happens when the germs enter your body through a break, cut, or wound on your skin. Other skin infections can happen in places where the skin rubs together, especially if the area is moist. Infections can also happen when you have a poor blood supply to an area of your body or if your immune system is weakened because of another disease or a medical treatment.</p> <p>Some skin infections cover a small area on the top of your skin. Other infections can go deep into your skin or spread to a larger area.</p> <h3>What causes skin infections?</h3> <p>Skin infections are caused by different kinds of germs. For example,:</p><ul> <li>Bacteria cause <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/cellulitis.html">cellulitis</a>, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/impetigo.html">impetigo</a>, and <a href="staphylococcalinfections.html" tid="418">staphylococcal (staph) infections</a></li> <li>Viruses cause <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/shingles.html">shingles</a>, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/warts.html">warts</a>, and <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/herpessimplex.html">herpes simplex</a></li> <li>Fungi cause <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/athletesfoot.html">athlete's foot</a> and <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/yeastinfections.html">yeast infections</a></li> <li>Parasites cause <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/bodylice.html">body lice</a>, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/headlice.html">head lice</a>, and <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/scabies.html">scabies</a></li> </ul> <h3>Who is more likely to get a skin infection?</h3> <p>You are more likely to get a skin infection if you:</p><ul> <li>Have poor circulation</li> <li>Have <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/diabetes.html">diabetes</a></li> <li>Are older</li> <li>Have an <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/immunesystemanddisorders.html">immune system disease</a>, such as <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/hiv.html">HIV</a></li> <li>Have a weakened immune system because of <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/cancerchemotherapy.html">chemotherapy</a> or other medicines that suppress your immune system</li> <li>Have to stay in one position for a long time, such as if you are sick and have to stay in bed for a long time or you are <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/paralysis.html">paralyzed</a></li> <li>Are <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/malnutrition.html">malnourished</a></li> <li>Have excessive skinfolds, which can happen if you have <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/obesity.html">obesity</a></li> </ul> <h3>What are the symptoms of skin infections?</h3> <p>The symptoms depend on the type of infection. Some symptoms that are common to many skin infections include <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/rashes.html">rashes</a>, swelling, redness, pain, pus, and <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/itching.html">itching</a>.</p> <h3>How are skin infections diagnosed?</h3> <p>To diagnose a skin infection, your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. You may have lab tests, such as a skin culture. This is a test to identify what type of infection you have, using a sample from your skin. Your provider may take the sample by swabbing or scraping your skin or removing a small piece of skin (<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/biopsy.html">biopsy</a>). Sometimes providers use other tests, such as blood tests.</p> <h3>How are skin infections treated?</h3> <p>The treatment depends on the type of infection and how serious it is. Some infections will go away on their own. When you do need treatment, it may include a cream or lotion to put on the skin. Other possible treatments include medicines and a procedure to drain pus.</p>