9 Infections That Cause a Bacterial Skin Rash in 2023

The changing climate, on the one hand, is bringing many ancient microbes to life. However, on the other hand, a constant rise in the rates of infection occurrences is being observed. Among these, bacterial infections occupy a prominent place. Among many types of skin infections, those causing pain, scarring, and needing treatment are of greater concern. In this article, 9 commonly occurring bacterial infections on the skin have been enlisted.

Following are the 9 commonly occurring bacterial infections on the skin

1. Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a pain-causing bacterial skin infection that affects the dermis along with subcutaneous tissues. It affects the skin at a deeper level and causes redness and thus is erythematous.

Cellulitis affected the foot in comparison to the normal one

Causative agents

The most common causative agents of cellulitis are Staphylococcus and Streptococcus bacteria.

Site of occurrence

Cellulitis most commonly affects the following areas:

• The area surrounding the surgical wounds
• Injured sites with open wounds
• Location of an existing tinea infection

Apart from these, cellulitis can occur on the skin of:

• Face
• Neck
• Hands
• Buttock
• Feet
• Legs
• Torso

Symptoms

Its common symptoms are:

• High fever
• Mounting white blood cell count
• Edema
• The feeling of warmth at the infection site
• Constantly advancing borders
• Ulceration

Treatment

After diagnosing the cellulitis, your physician will prescribe the most suitable antibiotics for you. However, the therapy is different for diabetic and non-diabetic patients. If the patient does not have diabetes, the first-line therapy must include:

• Penicillinase-resistant penicillin
• First-generation cephalosporins
• Augmentin (Amoxicillin-Clavulanate)
• Macrolide antibiotics
• Fluoroquinolones

In case of diabetes or any other inflammatory and immunocompromising disorder, aspiration of the affected area is preferred. Along with this, second or third-generation cephalosporins can be prescribed.

2. Erysipelas

Erysipelas, also known as St. Anthony’s fire, is a bacterial skin rash of intense nature. The margins of the infected site are well-defined and raised. Young kids, the elderly population, alcoholics, diabetics, as well as immunocompromised individuals are at a higher risk of contracting erysipelas.

Erysipelas-affected facial skin

Causative agents

The causative agent of erysipelas is Beta-hemolytic streptococcus.

Site of occurrence

Erysipelas mostly affects:

• Face
• Legs

Symptoms

The symptoms leading to the diagnosis of erysipelas include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Painful, warm, swollen, raised sores on the skin with defined boundaries
• Influenza-like symptoms

Treatment

Apart from the administration of intravenous penicillin, the rest of the treatment options for erysipelas are similar to those used for cellulitis.

3. Impetigo

Impetigo is a bacterial infection that causes a rash on the skin. It can be characterized by the presence or absence of bulla i.e. bullous or non-bullous. Bullae are yellowish serous-fluid filled which, upon rupture, leave behind a reddish ring on the affected area. The high-risk group includes children between the ages of 2 to 5 years old.

Impetigo

Causative agents

Staphylococcus aureus is the culprit behind this bacterial rash.

Site of occurrence

Impetigo can occur in any part of the skin.

Symptoms

The symptoms of non-bullous impetigo include:

• Erosive skin texture
• Honey-yellow ooze-filled sores
• Edema
• Hypertension
• Glomerulonephritis
• Smoky or tea-colored urine

However, in the case of bullous impetigo, fluid-filled thin-walled bulla are visible and have a diameter of 2 to 5 cm.

Treatment

Treatment options for impetigo include:

• Application of topical mupirocin (Bactroban) ointment (twice a day for 5 days)
• Azithromycin for 5 days
• Cephalexin for 10 days
• Dicloxacillin
• Oxacillin
• Amoxicillin-Clavulanate
• Fluoroquinolones
• Erythromycin

4. Folliculitis

Folliculitis can occur as a result of a physical injury, damage to the hair follicles, chemical irritation, or an infection. People who have experienced acne problems in the past are more prone to folliculitis.

Folliculitis

Causative agents

The following can be the causative agents of folliculitis:

• Streptococcus aureus
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Klebsiella
• Enterobacter
• Proteus
• Yeast
• Fungi

Site of occurrence

Folliculitis can occur at the following parts:

• Head
• Face
• Neck region
• Truck
• Buttocks
• Extremities

Symptoms

Patients with folliculitis exhibit the following symptoms:

• Fever (although rare)
• Itching on the affected area
• Blisters filled with pus

Treatment

Superficial folliculitis is painless and does not leave a mark after healing. If folliculitis is deep in the skin, the following antibiotics can be given:

• Clindamycin
• Mupirocin
• Macrolides
• Fluoroquinolones

Benzoyl peroxide can also be administered to aid the healing process.

5. Furuncles

A furuncle is a bacterial infection rash characterized by the development of pus-filled boils on the skin. It affects the hair follicles, hair shaft, as well as sebaceous glands. Its size keeps on changing with time as more and more pus accumulates in it and gives rise to an ‘abscess’.

Furuncles

Causative agents

Its causative agent is Staphylococcus aureus.

Site of occurrence

Furuncles occur at the following points:

• Face
• Neck
• Armpits
• Buttock
• Thighs

Symptoms

The symptoms of furuncles are:

• Fever
• Malaise
• Painful lesions on the skin

Treatment

In order to extract the fluid out of the boil, the application of a warm compress, along with iodoform gauze, can be helpful. If the condition is more severe, surgical removal of the pus might be needed. Moreover, the following antibiotics can also be administered via the parenteral route:

• Cloxacillin
• Cefazolin

6. Carbuncles

A carbuncle is a contagious bacterial rash on the skin. These are formed when multiple furuncles appear at an area like a cluster covering an area as large as 4 inches.

Carbuncles

Causative agents

Its causative agent is Staphylococcus aureus.

Site of occurrence

Carbuncles occur at the following points:

• Back of the neck
• Back
• Thighs

Symptoms

The symptoms of carbuncles are:

• Fever
• Malaise
• Painful lesions on the skin

Treatment

Like in the case of furuncles, the application of a warm compress along with iodoform gauze is the first-line treatment for carbuncles. However, in the case of carbuncles, the treatment is difficult and takes a longer time. Furthermore, the physician may also recommend surgical removal of the pus. Moreover, the first-generation cephalosporins can also be administered via the parenteral route.

7. MRSA infections

An MRSA bacterial infection is characterized by the appearance of pus-filled bumps on the skin which are painful and warm to the touch. It is contagious in nature.

MRSA infection

Causative agents

The causative agent of this bacterial rash is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Site of occurrence

The common sites of occurrence for an MRSA infection are:

• Nose
• Back of the throat
• Armpits
• Groin
• Existing wounds

Symptoms

The symptoms of MRSA are:

• Redness
• Inflammation
• Pain
• Pus
• Fever

Treatment

As MRSA is resistant to most of the antibiotics, it is hard to treat its infection. However, the following drugs may help in the treatment:

• Neomycin
• Linezolid
• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

8. Erythrasma

Erythrasma is an itchy bacterial skin rash. It persists for a longer time and particularly affects hair, nails, sweat, and sebaceous glands.

Erythrasma

Causative agents

The causative agent of erythrasma is Corynebacterium minutissimum.

Site of occurrence

The common sites of occurrence for an erythrasma infection are the skin folds in the inguinal as well as axillary regions.

Symptoms

The symptoms of erythrasma are:

• Red, pinkish, or brown patches
• Scaly skin texture
• Cracked skin

Treatment

The following are the best treatment options for erythrasma:

• Fusidic acid topical cream
• Miconazole cream
• Erythromycin for 4 days
• Clindamycin

9. Leprosy

Leprosy or Hansen’s disease is one of the oldest bacterial diseases. It progresses over time and becomes hard to treat if worsened.

Leprosy

Causative agents

Its causative agent is Mycobacterium leprae.

Site of occurrence

Leprosy occurs at:

• Nerves of extremities of the skin
• The lining of the nasal cavity

It can also progress to the upper respiratory tract.

Symptoms

The symptoms of leprosy are:

• Muscular weakness
• Skin lesions
• Numbness of hands, feet, legs, and arms

Treatment

To treat leprosy, multidrug therapy is used which includes:

• Dapsone
• Rifampin
• Clofazimine
• Minocycline
• Ofloxacin

Conclusion

Bacterial infections are a common occurrence in these days and age as the world has still not been able to completely eliminate microbial contamination. These bad bacteria, when enter the body, causes several infections including those affecting the skin. In this article, a compilation has been given of 9 such bacterial infections which are being caused by different bacteria and are spreading in various countries in 2023. It is good to know their symptoms, self-diagnose in case of a skin rash, and decide if you need to visit your physician.