Redness and fever may indicate bacterial skin infections

Bacterial skin infections are a serious health risk
Injuries to the skin give bacteria a portal of entry, which promotes the development of a rose or phlegmon, reports the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). In both infections, the skin swells, becomes red, warm and sensitive to pain. Treated early and properly, the bacterial skin infections are usually curable without any sequelae. Untreated, however, they could sometimes lead to serious complications.

A Wundrose is usually caused by streptococci. (Photo: elviragerecht / fotolia.com)

In most cases, a wound rose is caused by streptococcal injury and affects the upper layers of the skin. A typical sign is a painful, shiny red, relatively sharp swelling. Occasionally also swollen lymph nodes are noted and often the Wundrose is accompanied already with the first skin redness of fever and a general malaise. The phlegmon is, however, according to the IQWiG usually caused by staphylococci. Here deeper skin layers are affected than in the Wundrose. The inflammation reaches into the subcutis (subcutis).

Injuries of the skin favor the infections
Both forms of bacterial skin infections can occur at all parts of the body, but are most often recorded on the foot or lower leg, according to the IQWiG. Also on the cheeks, the skin around the eyelid and the abdomen, the infections were increasingly observed. The bacterial skin infection would be favored by skin damage, which provides the bacteria with an entry portal. Therefore, there is an increased risk of infection associated with skin diseases such as eczema, Grind lichen, fungal infections or ulcers. The infections could also be the result of injuries, pinpricks, insect or animal bites. Last but not least, surgery involves the risk of germs invading the wound and causing a rose or phlegmon. With antibiotics, however, most bacterial skin infections are easily treatable. (Fp)