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Health Information Other Bacterial Skin Infections

Other Bacterial Skin Infections

What are some other types of bacterial skin infections?

The following are other common bacterial skin infections:

Infection Symptoms Treatment
Erysipelas A skin infection caused by hemolytic streptococci, this condition usually affects the face, arms, legs, or where the skin is cut. Symptoms may include:
  • shiny, red, raised rash
  • small blisters
  • enlarged and tender lymph nodes
Treatment may include:
  • penicillin
  • erythromycin
Erythrasma A skin infection of the top layers of skin, more prevalent in the tropics. The condition mainly affects adults and persons with diabetes. The condition usually appears in areas on the body where skin touches skin, such as under the breast and in the groin area. Symptoms may include irregular pink patches that turn into brown scales. Treatment may include:
  • antibiotics
  • antibacterial soap

The infection may recur, requiring another treatment.

Impetigo A skin infection, caused by a staphylococci infection, which is characterized by pus-filled blisters. Blisters can range in size from peas to large rings. Impetigo tends to occur on the face, arms, or legs. Immediate treatment may help prevent impetigo from infecting deeper layers of skin. Treatment often includes antibiotics.
Paronychia A skin infection around a fingernail or toenail. The infection can be caused by a break in the skin due to a hangnail, manicuring, or other chronic irritation. Symptoms may include:
  • pain
  • pus-filled abscess
Treatment may include:
  • hot compresses
  • soaking in warm water
  • cutting the abscess to drain the pus
  • antibiotics
  • if caused by a fungus, an applications of antifungal cream or another antifungal medication

The symptoms of bacterial skin infections may resemble other skin conditions. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.


The Dermatology Programs and Services at Rush

Dermatology specialists at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago offer comprehensive care for common and rare skin, hair and nail diseases. Offering care for people of all ages, our dermatologists are leading authorities in skin care whose expertise draws patients from all over the Midwest. The dermatology team at Rush offers safe and innovative treatments based on years of experience as well as the latest scientific research.

Click here to visit our Department of Dermatology.

Services Provided

Comprehensive dermatology services for adults and children include:

  • Innovative treatments for various dermatologic conditions
    such as
    • Acne
    • Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
    • Psoriasis
    • Vitiligo
  • State-of-the-art treatments for all forms of skin cancer include:
    • The CTCL Clinic provides multidisciplinary care for people with a rare type of cancer called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Treatments include extracorporeal photophoresis, one of the most effective treatments for patients with this disease.
    • The Melanoma Surveillance Clinic provides innovative intervention and treatment strategies for melanoma, including the use of photographic surveillance to track high-risk moles over time.
    • Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) Clinic provides Mohs surgery, which has the highest cure rate of any procedure for skin cancer. During Mohs surgery, the surgeon uses a microscope to remove the very last traces of cancer cells.
  • The Cosmetic Dermatology Program provides:
    • Antiaging therapies, such as Botox and collagen injections.
    • Chemical peels and microdermabrasion to make skin smoother and improve acne, wrinkles and skin discoloration.
    • Advanced laser therapy to decrease excess hair growth and reduce lines and scars.
    • Varicose vein treatments, including laser therapy and sclerotherapy, which involves the injection of special solutions into the veins to reduce their appearance.

In addition to the services above, the department tests the efficacy of new treatments for different skin diseases through its Clinical Pharmacology Unit. Clinical studies are complemented by a basic science laboratory, where investigators are conducting state-of-the-art research on mast cell biology and mastocytosis.

Finding a specialist at Rush:

To find a dermatologist at Rush click here.

Or make an appointment with a doctor at Rush by calling our toll-free physician referral number:

  • (888) 352-RUSH.

To reach the hospital operator, call (312) 942-5000. If you have difficulty hearing, call (312) 942-2207 (TTY/TTD).

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Skin Infections
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