Shingles (Herpes Zoster) Shingles is a painful rash that is caused by the varicella zoster virus. It usually appears as a band or strip of blisters on one side of the body that goes from the spine around the front to the breastbone. However, the rash can also appear on the neck, nose and forehead.…
Boils Also known as skin abscesses, boils form as a result of a cut or break in the skin, which leads to a bacterial infection. They are characterized as a red, tender area with a painful, pus-filled center that can open spontaneously or by surgical incision. They are sometimes caused by an ingrown hair. Others…
Candidiasis Candidiasis is the medical term for yeast infections in the body. There are three forms of candidiasis that relate specifically to the skin: Oral Candidiasis (Oral Thrush). This infection is characterized by lacy, white patches on top of reddened areas that occur on the tongue, throat or elsewhere in the mouth. It is usually…
Cellulitis Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection that is caused by either Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria. Both of these bacteria occur naturally on the skin. A break or cut in the skin causes the bacteria to enter the body, which leads to an active infection. The skin infection most often occurs from: cracking or…
Chicken Pox (Herpes Varicella Zoster) Chicken pox is a common illness, particularly among children. It is characterized by itchy red spots or blisters all over the body. Chicken pox is caused by the Herpes Varicella Zoster virus. It is highly contagious, but most cases are not dangerous. Chicken pox can be passed on from two…
Erysipelas A particular type of skin infection (cellulitis) that is characterized by blisters; skin that is red, swollen, warm and/or painful to the touch; or by lesions with raised borders that most frequently appear on the face or legs. It also appears as sores on the cheeks and bridge of the nose. It is usually…
Impetigo Impetigo is a common skin infection usually found in children and infants. It is characterized as single or multiple blisters filled with pus, which pop easily and leave a reddish, raw-looking base and/or honey-colored crust. In most children, it first appears near the nose and then spreads through scratching to other parts of the…
Ringworm (Tinea Corporis) Ringworm is a common fungal infection, especially among children, that appears on different parts of the body. It is characterized by ring-shaped, scaly and itchy patches of the skin. The patches may blister or ooze fluid. The skin infection is contagious and can be passed from person to person or through contact…
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks. It is relatively rare, but can cause serious damage to the heart, lungs and brain. The difficulty lies in diagnosis because many people are unaware that they’ve been bitten by a tick. Three types of ticks transmit the Rickettsia rickettsii…
Herpes Virus The herpes virus is a group of viral infections that cause sores on the mouth (oral herpes) or genitals (genital herpes). There are two types of Herpes Simplex Virus: Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 is the most common form of the herpes virus that affects most people at least once during childhood. It…