Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are infections that affect the skin and the tissues just below the skin, such as muscles, fat, and connective tissue. These infections are usually caused by bacteria, but they can also be caused by viruses or fungi. The infection can lead to redness, swelling, pain, and sometimes pus or other fluids.
SSTIs can range from mild conditions, like a simple pimple or cut, to more serious infections that can spread quickly, causing severe damage to the skin and deeper tissues. Some common examples of skin and soft tissue infections include:
Cellulitis
- What It Is: Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that affects the deeper layers of the skin. It often causes redness, swelling, pain, and warmth in the affected area.
- Treatment: Cellulitis is typically treated with antibiotics, which may be given by mouth or through an IV if the infection is severe. In some cases, if there is a pocket of pus, the wound may need to be drained.
- Why It Needs Specialist Care: If cellulitis is not treated properly, it can spread quickly to other areas of the body and cause severe complications like blood poisoning (sepsis). A specialist will evaluate the infection and ensure it’s properly treated.
Abscess
- What It Is: An abscess is a collection of pus that forms under the skin, usually due to a bacterial infection. It can cause swelling, pain, and redness in the affected area.
- Treatment: Abscesses are often treated by making a small incision to drain the pus, which helps reduce the infection. Antibiotics are also prescribed to help clear the infection.
- Why It Needs Specialist Care: Abscesses can be deep or large and may require careful drainage to prevent further complications. A specialist can ensure the abscess is properly treated and that it doesn’t spread.
Impetigo
- What It Is: Impetigo is a contagious skin infection that causes red sores, usually on the face, arms, or legs. It is most common in children but can affect adults as well.
- Treatment: Impetigo is usually treated with topical antibiotics (applied to the skin) or oral antibiotics if the infection is widespread.
- Why It Needs Specialist Care: If not treated properly, impetigo can spread to other parts of the body or to other people. A doctor can help determine the best treatment to prevent it from spreading.
Furuncles and Carbuncles
- What They Are: Furuncles (boils) are painful, swollen lumps filled with pus. A carbuncle is a cluster of interconnected furuncles. They usually appear on the back, neck, or thighs.
- Treatment: Treatment often involves draining the pus from the boil or carbuncle through a small incision. Antibiotics may be prescribed if the infection is severe or spreading.
- Why It Needs Specialist Care: Furuncles and carbuncles can lead to serious complications if not properly drained and treated. If the infection spreads, it can become life-threatening, so a specialist will evaluate the wound and decide the best treatment.
Necrotizing Fasciitis
- What It Is: Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but very serious infection that destroys tissue and spreads rapidly. It usually affects the skin, muscles, and tissue under the skin.
- Treatment: Immediate treatment is critical, often requiring emergency surgery to remove dead tissue. Strong intravenous antibiotics are given to fight the infection.
- Why It Needs Specialist Care: Necrotizing fasciitis is a medical emergency and can progress very quickly, causing severe damage or even death. It requires immediate evaluation and treatment from a specialist, often in the emergency room.
Why Specialist Evaluation is Important
Skin and soft tissue infections can spread quickly and become very serious. Even though some of these infections can be treated with antibiotics or drainage, they may require the expertise of a specialist to make sure they don’t worsen or spread. If left untreated, infections like cellulitis, abscesses, or necrotizing fasciitis can lead to life-threatening complications, so early diagnosis and treatment are important. Always seek medical help if you notice signs of an infection, especially if it’s spreading or getting worse.
Why These Infections Are Dangerous
Infections in the abdominal area can sometimes be life-threatening if not treated early as they can quickly spread and lead to sepsis. Sepsis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. If you notice any of the following signs, you should call 911 or go to the emergency room right away for evaluation and treatment:
- Fever or Chills
- A high fever (above 101°F or 38.3°C) or uncontrollable chills may indicate that your body is fighting an infection.
- Rapid Heart Rate
- If your heart is beating very fast, even when you’re at rest (over 100 beats per minute), it could be a sign of sepsis.
- Difficulty Breathing
- Shortness of breath, rapid breathing, or feeling like you can’t catch your breath can be a sign that sepsis is affecting your organs.
- Confusion or Disorientation
- If you suddenly feel confused, dizzy, or have trouble thinking clearly, sepsis may be affecting your brain and nervous system.
- Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
- Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or faint, especially when standing up, could indicate very low blood pressure, which is common in sepsis.
- Extreme Pain or Discomfort
- Sepsis often causes a feeling of extreme pain or discomfort throughout the body, which may be hard to explain but can be a serious warning sign.
- Cold, Clammy Skin
- If your skin feels cold and damp to the touch, especially in your hands and feet, it could indicate that sepsis is causing poor circulation.
- Sweating Excessively
- Sweating more than usual, especially if it’s accompanied by fever or chills, can be a sign that your body is reacting to a severe infection.
- Urine Changes
- If you notice that you’re urinating less than usual, or if your urine is very dark or looks abnormal, it could be a sign that your kidneys are affected by sepsis.
- Feeling Extremely Weak or Fatigued
- Severe weakness or a feeling of exhaustion that’s out of the ordinary can be a symptom of sepsis, especially if combined with other signs like fever or confusion.