Skin infections may be bacterial, mycotic, viral or parasitic. These are the most common forms of dermatosis and over 20 million purchases of products related to infectious conditions are made every year in Spain. Here we will focus on the first three:

Bacterial infection

The skin is a highly effective barrier against bacterial infections. Despite the fact that many bacteria live on the skin, they are usually incapable of producing an infection. Bacterial infections of the skin can affect a single area or spread in just a few hours and affect a much greater area. Skin infections can vary in their seriousness. Many types of bacteria can infect the skin, the most frequent being Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Some people are at particular risk of contracting skin infections; for example, diabetics (who have poorer skin irrigation, particularly in the hands and feet) and AIDS patients (who have a depressed immunological system). Skin that is harmed by the sun’s rays, irritations or other kinds of lesions is also more likely to become infected. Indeed, any skin lesion predisposes a person to suffer an infection.

Mycotic infection

The fungi that affect the skin (dermatophytes) only live on the outermost layer of the skin (corneal stratum) and do not penetrate deeper. Fungi usually proliferate in humid parts of the body where two skin surfaces come into contact: between the toes, in the groin and under breasts are the areas most likely to suffer mycotic infections. Obese persons are also more likely to suffer these infections because they have many skin folds. Most fungal infections of the skin, except those of the scalp and nails, are often treated with antifungal products. It is essential to keep the infected areas clean and dry, because this helps to avoid the appearance of new fungal infections and favours the regeneration of the skin.

Viral infection: Labial herpes

Herpes simple is a recurring viral infection that is characterised by the appearance of small blisters (single or multiple) that are full of clear liquid on an inflamed base in the skin or the mucosa. The most frequent location is around the mouth, the lips, the conjunctiva and the genitals. Herpes viruses are contagious and are transmitted directly or indirectly through contaminated elements such as razor blades, towels, plates and other articles that are shared between people. Apart from anti-viral treatment, the symptoms of the illness also need to be treated (pain, itchiness, and lesions that can cause secondary bacterial infections).
It is the most common viral infection; it is estimated that up to 80 per cent of the population are asymptomatic carriers of the virus. Infection by type 1 VHS occurs more frequently in childhood and is usually asymptomatic. An increase in its incidence has been observed in people between 20 and 40 years of age in developed countries. Approximately one third of people who present labial herpes suffer a relapse.

This viral infection is found equally in men and women and can appear at any time from childhood to old age, although most cases are recorded among young adults. Once the organism is infected, the incubation period is between 3 to 7 days, although it can last longer.