Skin & Soft Tissue Infections
I just like tattoos - Amy Winehouse
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Tattoo Ink–Related Infections — Awareness, Diagnosis, Reporting, and Prevention
Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are the second most common infection encountered in hospitals, have been written about for centuries and were most likely the first infections that benefited from antibacterial therapy. Yet they continue to evolve. Who doesn't know the MRSA story. But what about tattoos?
Outbreaks of nontuberculous mycobacterial skin infections have recently been associated with contaminated tattoo ink. "Tattoos have become increasingly popular in recent years. In the United States, the estimated percentage of adults with one or more tattoos increased from 14% in 2008 to 21% in 2012. The process of tattooing exposes the recipient to risks of infections…
Resources
Skin and Wound Infections: An Overview
Skin infections are often the result of a break in the integrity of the skin. Bacterial skin infections include erythrasma and related diseases, impetigo, ecthyma, folliculitis, erysipelas and cellulitis. While there are certainly other bacterial skin infections, they are either uncommon or result from systemic illness.
When Travelers Bring Skin Infections Back as Souvenirs
Chances are, when you go to less-developed lands, you’re most concerned about avoiding traveler’s diarrhea (try chewing two tablets of bismuth subsalicylate — Pepto-Bismol or generic versions — with each meal). But to help assure a medically uneventful trip, you’d be wise to remain alert to avoiding various bacterial, parasitic, viral and fungal infections that enter through the skin and are rarely encountered in the United States.
Choosing An Antibiotic For Skin Infections--What's Best?
As most cases of uncomplicated cellulitis are caused by Strep, they are still best treated with a penicillin or cephalosporin (e.g., Keflex) type of antibiotic, known as beta-lactams. These antibiotics are much better than TMP-SMX for strep infections.
Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections in adults: A review of their epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and site of care
Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) involve microbial invasion of the skin and underlying soft tissues. They have variable presentations, etiologies and severities. The challenge of SSTIs is to efficiently differentiate those cases that require immediate attention and intervention, whether medical or surgical, from those that are less severe.
Complicated skin and soft tissue infections: literature review of evidence for and experience with daptomycin
Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are the second most common infection encountered in hospitals. Management decisions have become increasingly complex due to the prevalence of resistant pathogens, the wide array of licensed antimicrobials and the availability of potent oral agents and of out-patient parenteral antibiotic therapy. Daptomycin is one of the newer therapeutic agents licensed for complex SSTI management.
Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections: Modern Evolution of an Ancient Problem
Just in the last decade, the remarkable spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as a cause of community-acquired infections has resulted in substantial changes in the epidemiology and treatment of SSTIs.
Tattoo Ink–Related Infections — Awareness, Diagnosis, Reporting, and Prevention
Tattoos have become increasingly popular in recent years. In the United States, the estimated percentage of adults with one or more tattoos increased from 14% in 2008 to 21% in 2012.
SkinSight
Have a health question or concern? Looking for self-care patient information on a specific disease? Not sure what you are searching for but can see a rash? They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Let Skinsight help by providing medical pictures of common diseases and conditions as they appear on different parts of the body. More powerful than just words, let this interactive tool be your guide.
DermNet NZ
DermNet is the website of the New Zealand Dermatological Society.
Skin Care Guide
Bacterial Skin Infections are caused by the presence and growth of microorganisms that damage host tissue. The extent of infection is generally determined by how many organisms are present and the toxins they release. There are many types of bacteria, both good and bad. In fact, most bacterial species cannot cause disease.
Occupational Skin Infections
Various potential infections from the workplace
Skin Infections in Athletes
Skin infections can take athletes out of the action and put them on the sidelines. Wrestlers, rugby players, and others who participate in sports where there is direct skin-to-skin contact have an increased risk of getting contagious skin infections. While most cases of skin infections are mild and treatable, without the right treatment, some can be very serious and even life threatening.
American Academy of Dermatology
The purpose of this module is to help medical students develop a clinical approach to the evaluation and initial management of patients who present with bacterial infections.
KidsHealth
Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and underlying tissues that can affect any area of the body. It often begins in an area of broken skin, like a cut or scratch. Then bacteria invade and spread, causing inflammation, pain, swelling, warmth, and redness.
MedlinePlus
Your skin helps protect you from germs, but sometimes it can get infected by them. Some common types of skin infections are -Bacterial: Cellulitis and impetigo. Staphylococcal infections can also affect the skin. -Viral: Shingles, warts, and herpes simplex -Fungal: Athlete's foot and yeast infections -Parasitic: Body lice, head lice, and scabies. Treatment of skin infections depends on the cause.
TeensHealth
This section has tons of articles about infections that teens can get, with information about how they're spread, signs and symptoms, when to go to the doctor, and more.
Up To Date
Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and soft tissue of the skin. The infection is usually caused by bacteria, such as staphylococci ("Staph") or streptococci ("Strep") that are commonly present on the skin or mucus membranes of the nose or mouth of otherwise normal and healthy people. The infection develops when there is a break in the skin, such as a wound or injury, which may be minor. This allows bacteria to enter the skin and grow, causing infection and swelling. Many cases of cellulitis are mild and heal completely with antibiotic treatment. However, some cases of cellulitis can be severe and lead to generalized infection. Thus it is important to seek medical care promptly if the infection is associated with fever, rapid worsening, other signs of progression of if you have other medical problems, such as diabetes.
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