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The skin is susceptible to two types of infections. They are bacterial infections and viral infections. Bacterial infections are caused by bacteria and viral infections are caused by a virus. Some bacterial infections are common to all age groups while others are primarily childhood conditions. Impetigo is a bacterial infection that affects children more than adults.

Impetigo is an extremely contagious skin disease but is hardly ever serious. It starts with a reddish area of skin. Then a small group of blisters appear. The blisters break open exposing moist, tender areas of skin that secrete a clear liquid. Finally, a honey colored scab forms over the moist red area. The scab may itch. The infection spreads further from the edge of the scab. This disease needs to be treated by a doctor. Since it is a bacterial infection it will respond to antibiotics. The doctor will probably prescribe the antibiotics to be taken orally or by injection. The doctor may also instruct the patient to gently wash the scabs with soap, water and an antiseptic solution and then apply an ointment. Mupirocin is often the ointment prescribed and has been proven to be very effective.Children should not be allowed to attend school nor play with other children until they are healed. It is also very important for the family to adopt rigid sanitary measures to prevent the spread of the disease. Sheets, pillowcases, towels and washcloths need to be washed daily. The patient should not share soap, towels, washcloths or personal items with any other family member. The area around the blisters needs to be washed daily. Impetigo usually clears up within a week to ten days. Although impetigo is not considered serious if left untreated complications such as kidney inflammation can occur. This is especially true when the disease targets young children.

Two other bacterial infections of the skin are cellulitis and erysipelas.
Both infections are dangerous in that they can spread into the blood and eventually to other organs of the body. They are usually caused by either the streptococcus or staphylococcus bacteria. The symptoms for both infections are the same. The skin becomes red, tender and warm. The patient may feel ill, have a fever, chills and swollen lymph glands near the infected area. There is one difference however, In cellulitis, there is usually one large red area that is firm and thick whereas with erysipelas there are several patches of red skin that are not connected. Cellulitis is normally located in the legs where there is a break in the skin that permits the bacteria to enter. Erysipelas usually occurs in one of three places. It may develop on the bridge of the nose and spread along the cheek causing the eye to swell. It can also occur in any part of the body where lymph vessels have been cut. And it can manifest where veins have been cut.

Both diseases need to be treated by a physician and the doctor should be called immediately. Antibiotics will kill the bacteria and cure the infections but if treatment is delayed then the cure takes longer.
Treatment is usually outpatient and hospitalization is normally not required.