Skin infection


A skin infection is an infection of the skin in humans and other animals, that can also affect the associated soft tissues such as loose connective tissue and mucous membranes. They comprise a category of infections termed skin and skin structure infections, or skin and soft tissue infections, and acute bacterial SSSIs. They are distinguished from dermatitis. although skin infections can result in skin inflammation.

Causes

Bacterial

Bacterial skin infections affected about 155 million people and cellulitis occurred in about 600 million people in 2013. Bacterial skin infections include:
Fungal skin infections may present as either a superficial or deep infection of the skin, hair, and/or nails. As of 2010, they affect about one billion people globally.

Parasitic

Parasitic infestations of the skin are caused by several phyla of organisms, including Annelida, Arthropoda, Bryozoa, Chordata, Cnidaria, Cyanobacteria, Echinodermata, Nemathelminthes, Platyhelminthes, and Protozoa.

Viral

Virus-related cutaneous conditions caused by these obligate intracellular agents derive from both DNA and RNA viruses.