Infectious disorders of the skin

S C Carson1, N S Prose, D Berg

  • 1Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.

Insights

Plastic surgeons must recognize diverse cutaneous infections, which can mimic skin cancer or indicate deeper issues. This review covers the diagnosis and management of common bacterial, viral, and fungal skin infections.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Plastic Surgery

Background:

  • Cutaneous infections are frequent in clinical settings.
  • Recognizing varied presentations is crucial for plastic surgeons.
  • Infections can mimic malignancies or signal underlying conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diagnosis and management of common skin infections.
  • To highlight the importance of differentiating infections from malignancies.
  • To provide guidance for plastic surgeons encountering cutaneous infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of common bacterial, viral, and fungal skin infections.
  • Analysis of diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies.
  • Synthesis of information relevant to plastic surgery practice.

Main Results:

  • Common bacterial, viral, and fungal infections present diverse clinical features.
  • Timely and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective management.
  • Appropriate treatment can prevent complications and misdiagnosis.

Conclusions:

  • Plastic surgeons require a thorough understanding of cutaneous infections.
  • Early recognition and management are key to patient outcomes.
  • This review consolidates essential knowledge for clinical practice.

Related Concept Videos

Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Infection01:20

Infection

When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
Disorders of Leukocytes01:27

Disorders of Leukocytes

Leukocyte disorders can lead to either leukopenia, characterized by an abnormally low leukocyte count, or leukocytosis, marked by a very high leukocyte number.
Leukopenia may result from bone marrow disorders, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. For example, conditions such as multiple myeloma and aplastic anemia can impair the bone marrow's ability to produce adequate leukocytes. Similarly, autoimmune diseases like lupus and viral infections such as HIV can prompt the immune system...