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The skin is the body's largest organ, accounting for roughly 18% of an adult's weight. It serves as a protective outer layer that keeps in moisture and keeps out invasive organisms leading to infections and protects our organs against injury. The best way to maintain healthy skin is to prevent skin damage from occurring in the first place. Maintaining a healthy skin care routine throughout life can help protect your skin from infections. There are many bacteria that live on the surface of healthy skin, but with a break in the skin, these bacteria can invade the outer layer of skin and cause an infection and rash to occur. Cellulitis and impetigo are both common causes of skin infections in children and adults. Oral or topical antibiotics are often used to treat bacterial skin infections. Cellulitis Cellulitis is a skin infection that is caused by bacteria, typically step or staph, that normally helps protect you from infection. If you have a cut, sore, or insect bite, bacteria can get into the skin and spread to deeper tissues. If it is not treated with antibiotics, the infection can spread into the blood or lymph nodes, which can be deadly. Some people can even get cellulitis without having a break in the skin, which includes other adults and people who have diabetes or a weak immune system. As cellulitis begins, the infected area will become warm, red, swollen, and tender. As it spreads, you may have a fever, chills, and swollen glands. Cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body. In adults it often occurs on the legs, face, or arms, while in children it is most common on the face, which can lead to a dangerous eye infection. Visit your dermatologist immediately if you have an infected area of skin and the infected area is getting redder, more painful, or larger, or it has red streaks extending from it. You should also seek medical attention if you have a fever, and if the infected area is on your face. Treatment often includes the use of antibiotics. Impetigo Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects infants and children. It appears as red sores on the face, especially around a child's nose and mouth. Although it commonly occurs when bacteria enter the skin through cuts or insect bites, it can also develop in skin that is perfectly healthy. Seldom serious, impetigo usually clears on its own in two to three weeks. Since impetigo can sometimes lead to complications, your child's doctor may choose to treat it with an antibiotic ointment or oral antibiotics. Symptoms of impetigo include: • Red sores that quickly rupture, ooze for a few days and then form a yellowish-brown crust
• Itching
• Painless, fluid-filled blisters
• In the more serious form, painful fluid, or pus-filled sores that turn into deep ulcers Proper Skin Care Routine Maintaining a proper, healthy skin care routine throughout your life can help to reduce the symptoms of aging and infections. For proper skin care, make sure to: • Wash your face using a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water twice a day.
• Pat skin dry. Do not rub it dry.
• Exfoliate the skin twice a week to remove dead cells
• Apply a moisturizer to skin immediately after a shower or bath.
• Wear sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15 every day.
• For women who wear makeup, be sure to leave time each day when the skin is clean and free of makeup.
• Do not use tanning beds.
• Maintain a healthy diet and drink lots of water
• Get an adequate amount of sleep every day.
• Quit smoking.
• Avoid stress.
• Conduct a monthly self-examination of your skin to detect any changes that might lead to cancer.
• See your dermatologist once a year. A healthy skin care routine is vital to protecting your skin from damage and harmful infections. Begin today and implement a proper routine. Contact your dermatologist in West Palm Beach for further treatment and consultation on proper skin care.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading West Palm Beach Spanish speaking dermatologist, Dr. Barry Kuttner. A board certified dermatologist, Dr. Kuttner is accompanied by Dr. Kathleen Herne and physician assistant, Dr. Kristen Hafner, providing services in West Palm Beach excessive sweating, skin cancer treatment, Mohs surgery and acne treatment for quality care patients can trust.
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