Skin Infections

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Primary Care Medicine

Background:

• Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are frequently encountered in primary care.
• SSTIs present a spectrum of severity, from mild impetigo to life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of common SSTIs seen in outpatient settings.
• To categorize SSTIs by etiology: bacterial, fungal, and viral.
• To outline the etiology, presentation, evaluation, and management of various SSTIs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of common SSTIs.
• Categorization of infections based on causative agents (bacterial, fungal, viral).
• Discussion of clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies.

Main Results:

• Detailed review of specific bacterial infections including impetigo, erysipelas, cellulitis, folliculitis, furuncles, carbuncles, abscesses, and necrotizing fasciitis.
• Overview of fungal infections such as sporotrichosis, tinea corporis, tinea pedis, and tinea capitis.
• Discussion of viral infections including Herpes Simplex Virus, zoster, molluscum contagiosum, and warts.

Conclusions:

• Primary care providers must be adept at recognizing and managing a wide array of SSTIs.
• Understanding the etiology is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment of SSTIs.
• This review serves as a guide for the evaluation and management of common bacterial, fungal, and viral skin infections.