People who are living with eczema often have to deal with itchy, red skin. Another issue that you have to contend with is being more prone to skin infections. That’s because your skin can be thin or damaged from a flare-up, the medications you use, or prolonged scratching. These infections can cause a lot of trouble if you’re not careful so you need to know what to look out for.
3 Potential Skin Infections
1. Staphylococcus Aureus (Staph.)
Several different bacteria can cause skin infections, however, Staphylococcus aureus is most common because it lives on your skin. When there’s a break in your skin, it’s easy for the bacteria to get inside and multiply.
The initial signs of an infection are itchy, red skin that is slightly shiny. As the infection progresses, you should notice weeping or crusting of the affected areas.
Bacterial infections need to be treated by a doctor. Depending on how far the infection has progressed, you may be prescribed oral or topical antibiotics or a combination of both. While waiting to be treated, you should keep the affected areas clean and don’t share towels or bedding with anyone.
2. Candida
Bacteria aren’t the only microorganisms that exist naturally on your skin. Fungi can be there as well. Two of the likely fungi to cause an infection are candida and mold.
Candida is a yeast that thrives in moist conditions while the mold comes from a form of dermatophytes that can cause ringworms. A fungal infection is usually characterized by a red rash that spreads gradually.
These infections must also be treated with antifungal medication. Typically, these will be topical creams or ointments. While waiting to be treated, you should keep the affected areas dry.
Sometimes, natural remedies such as tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and apple cider vinegar can help to keep the infection from spreading as quickly as well as soothe itchy skin. It’s important to note that no homemade remedies will cure the infection.
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3. Herpes simplex
The herpes simplex virus usually causes cold sores in people who don’t have eczema. If you have the skin condition, the virus can spread rapidly and cause a serious issue known as eczema herpeticum. With this infection, you can experience