Bacterial Infections
Background
The skin acts as the body's barrier to bacteria. Healthy skin, in conjunction with resident flora, fight off bacterial invasions. Bacterial infections occur in a wide variety of circumstances, most commonly:
- Localized superficial bacterial infections (e.g., impetigo)
- Secondarily infected dermatitis or eczema
- In moist areas by skin folds
- Wound infections in minor wounds/injuries/abrasions or following minor surgical or cosmetic procedures
Some common localized bacterial infections include:
Characterized by honey-brown colored scabs on the skin, usually the face or extremities, and can be transmitted by contact. Cases of impetigo occur more frequently in mild climates.
Infections of hair follicles. Typically caused by friction from clothing, blockage of the follicle or shaving. The hair follicles are many times subsequently infected with staphyloccus (staph) bacteria.
Infected dermatitis and hemorrhoids- Whenever the skin is afflicted with inflammatory conditions such as dermatitis or eczema, the damaged skin provides a medium for bacterial or fungal invasion and proliferation. Sometimes yellow crusting will be seen, as with impetigo, but more frequently the skin only shows erosions. Treating the bacterial colonization helps with the control of eczema.
An uncommon ulcerative skin condition usually observed on the legs; a more superficial variant known as atypical pyoderma tends to occur on the hands.
Dual Infections
In many cases, bacterial infections are commonly complicated by the concurrent presence of fungi.
Both types of microorganisms live on skin and when one type of infection takes hold, the other type of pathogen often takes the opportunity to invade the body at about the same time.
For instance, in one clinical study of various antifungal agents, 18% of fungal infections had both bacteria and fungal pathogens present. (1)
An agent that is effective against most bacteria and fungi such as Alcortin A is particularly useful for these situations
Treatment
Anti-Infective Agents
The primary treatment for bacterial skin infections is an anti-bacterial agent, either a topical cream, gel, ointment, or lotion applied directly at the site or a pill taken orally that works systemically.
Alcortin A is appropriate for primary localized bacterial infections, such as impetigo, and for dermatitis or eczema that become infected or present a high risk of developing infection.
Your physician will help decide which therapy is most suited to your condition.
(1) Konopka EA, et al. Antimicrobial effectiveness of locacorten-vioform cream in secondary infections of common dermatoses. Dermatologica 1975; 151:1-8.