The Most Common Contagious Skin Diseases
The number of contagious skin diseases is not large, but the diseases are certainly worth knowing about so that they can be avoided if possible. In addition, there are a number of other contagious diseases, children's diseases for the most part, where rashes on the skin may develop. These diseases, measles, chickenpox, German measles, and scarlet fever, are not technically skin diseases and are usually no longer contagious once a rash has broken out.
Contagious skin diseases may be bacterial, viral, fungal, or protozoan. The disease in question can be picked up from an infected person by touching that person's skin, a rash or sore on the skin, or using the same hairbrush, towel, or article of clothing. A transfer of a bacteria, virus, fungus, or a parasite follows, and the troublemaker has found a new host.
Our skin, being constantly exposed to the outside world, is covered with all sorts of different bacteria nearly all the time. It's a tribute to the skin that these bacteria, some of which can be harmful, are seldom allowed to penetrate the skin and cause internal damage. Certain types of bacteria however can cause trouble to the skin itself as can certain fungi, viruses and parasites (protozoan). Following is a brief description of the more common contagious skin diseases.
Scabies - Scabies is one of the most contagious skin diseases one can encounter. Small, pinhead sized mites are the culprits. These mites will burrow under the outer layer of skin to lay eggs and feed on blood. It isn't so much the burrowing and tunneling that cause a problem, although the very thought of what is going on can give anyone the creeps. Rather, an allergic reaction to the mites themselves as well as their waste results in itching, which over time can become quite severe. The scabies mite seems to prefer somewhat protected places, like folds in the skin, around the waist or belt line, between the toes, and in the groin area and armpits. Scabies is usually transmitted from one person to the next by direct skin to skin contact. Both prescribed medication and over the counter topical medications can be used to kill the mites.
Impetigo - Impetigo is caused by either of two types of bacteria, the streptococcus bacteria and the staphylococcus bacteria. Adults can contract the disease, but it is much more common among preschool and school age children. When adults get impetigo, it's more often than not from their children. Anyone suffering from a skin disorder or another type of skin disease is more vulnerable to contracting impetigo. Whichever bacteria is at fault, the symptoms are usually fluid filled blisters, which may eventually burst, after which the area is covered with a brownish colored crust. Use of an antibacterial cream is the most common type of treatment.
Four Fungal Infections - Three of the most common contagious skin disease are fungal infections. The most common of the three is ringworm, which really has nothing to do with worms. This disease can be spread a number of ways, although they all involve the skin coming into contact with an infected area or object. We can pick up a case of ringworm from petting a cat or dog, coming into contact with soil that contains the fungus, coming into contact with any object used by an infected person, and of course by touching an infected person. Over the counter anti fungal medication is usually effective in treating a ringworm outbreak. If the condition is severe however, prescription anti fungal medication may be needed.
Athletes foot is a similar contagious skin disease, usually confined to the area between the toes which are often damp, dark, and moist, where fungus thrives. Athletes foot can be picked up from using someone else's towel, or simply by walking on a communal shower room floor. A related skin disease is jock itch, where the fungus has found another favored hiding place, the crotch. Again, this is an area that tends to be sheltered and somewhat moist, especially for men who have a tendency to sweat.
Diaper rash is another fungal infection, closely related to Candida infections, which often occur in the mouth, or as yeast infections in the vagina. Diaper rash tends to be more irritating than severe, and is treated by keeping the youngster in dry diapers as much as possible and by the generous use of baby powders or medicated powders.
Contagious skin diseases are seldom serious, although any disease of this type can lead to complications if left untreated. They can be extremely irritating of course, and at times unsightly as well. For the most part, the skin does a good job of protecting us, and itself.
Impetigo - Impetigo is caused by either of two types of bacteria, the streptococcus bacteria and the staphylococcus bacteria. Adults can contract the disease, but it is much more common among preschool and school age children. When adults get impetigo, it's more often than not from their children. Anyone suffering from a skin disorder or another type of skin disease is more vulnerable to contracting impetigo. Whichever bacteria is at fault, the symptoms are usually fluid filled blisters, which may eventually burst, after which the area is covered with a brownish colored crust. Use of an antibacterial cream is the most common type of treatment.
Four Fungal Infections - Three of the most common contagious skin disease are fungal infections. The most common of the three is ringworm, which really has nothing to do with worms. This disease can be spread a number of ways, although they all involve the skin coming into contact with an infected area or object. We can pick up a case of ringworm from petting a cat or dog, coming into contact with soil that contains the fungus, coming into contact with any object used by an infected person, and of course by touching an infected person. Over the counter anti fungal medication is usually effective in treating a ringworm outbreak. If the condition is severe however, prescription anti fungal medication may be needed.
Athletes foot is a similar contagious skin disease, usually confined to the area between the toes which are often damp, dark, and moist, where fungus thrives. Athletes foot can be picked up from using someone else's towel, or simply by walking on a communal shower room floor. A related skin disease is jock itch, where the fungus has found another favored hiding place, the crotch. Again, this is an area that tends to be sheltered and somewhat moist, especially for men who have a tendency to sweat.
Diaper rash is another fungal infection, closely related to Candida infections, which often occur in the mouth, or as yeast infections in the vagina. Diaper rash tends to be more irritating than severe, and is treated by keeping the youngster in dry diapers as much as possible and by the generous use of baby powders or medicated powders.
Contagious skin diseases are seldom serious, although any disease of this type can lead to complications if left untreated. They can be extremely irritating of course, and at times unsightly as well. For the most part, the skin does a good job of protecting us, and itself.
0 komentar:
Post a Comment