SKIN INFECTIONS SOME COMMON SKIN SKIN Skin infections start when bacteria get into INFECTIONS CAUSED BY STAPH a cut or scrape. Bacteria live on everyone’s ARE: skin and usually cause no harm. BOILS: tender, red lumps that swell and get INFECTIONS Staphylococcus aureus,often referred to as white heads like very big pimples.Boils form on “staph,”is a common type of bacteria that oily or moist skin such as the neck, armpits, AND can live harmlessly on the skin or in the nose groin and buttock.They may break open and of 25 to 35 percent of healthy people (this is ooze pus or blood. often referred to as being“colonized”with DISEASE the germ). Staph bacteria are one of the most common PREVENTION causes of skin infection in the United States, Environmental Health and Safety but most of these infections are minor,such as pimples or boils.Most of these infections can be treated without antibiotics,however, Boil some staph infections can cause serious infections,such as pneumonia, bloodstream, IMPETIGO:blisters with fluid in them, which bone and joint infections,and surgical wound pop and get a yellow crust. Children often get it infections. on the face.It can be spread by scratching. Staph infections may spread to other people by skin-to-skin contact and from shared items such as bedding, towels,soap, clothes and sports equipment.

Impetigo INFECTED HAIR ROOTS (FOLLICLES):small bumps under the skin at the base of the hair.They may itch. Staph infections are becoming harder to treat. Penicillin and some other antibiotics used to kill bacteria may no longer work against staph germs.These staph germs are “resistant”to the antibiotics.They are called MRSA (methicillin- Staph resistant staphylococcus aureus), and they are INDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTHEAST Infection resistant to all penicillin-type antibiotics.Skin 4201 Grant Line Rd. New Albany, IN 47150 infections from MRSA can develop into more (812) 941-2333 serious,even life- threatening, problems such as infections of the heart, blood, and bones. Skin infections should be brought to the » Keep your environment clean by wiping CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF... attention of your health care provider so they frequently touched surfaces (such as don’t spread or cause more serious problems. counter tops, doorknobs and light » You have signs of infection, such as pain, switches) with a disinfectant. redness, swelling and heat, and oozing pus or Only take antibiotics when they are prescribed blood. by your health care provider.Taking them when » New symptoms develop during or after you get they are not needed can create stronger germs, SHORT LIST OF DISEASE GERMS like MRSA. If you get a prescription, always finish ALSO FOUND ON HUMAN treated. the whole bottle—the last few pills kill the toughest germs. HANDS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION » SHIGELLA FLEXNERI: causes vomiting, » University of Maryland Sports Medicine Centers SURPRISING FACT headache, diarrhea for Disease Control (CDC) The best way to prevent skin infections is simple » STREPTOCOCCUS PYROGENS: causes –wash your hands using liquid soap not bar tonsillitis, sore throats, scarlet fever, soap.Washing your hands often with soap and impetigo warm water also helps prevent colds and flu. » SALMONELLA:causes severe diarrhea, WHAT TO DO stomach pain, dizziness, fever » Wash cuts, scrapes and sores with soap and » RHINO VIRUS: over 200 strains causing water, then keep them clean and dry. Cover great misery in the form of colds and all them with bandages until they are healed. that they bring » Avoid contact with other people’s cuts or » PROTEUS VULGARIS:urinary tract sores and any materials that have come in infections contact with them. » HEPATITIS A: vomiting, liver disorders, » Avoid sharing personal items such as soap, jaundice towels and razors. » ESCHERICHIA COLI 0157: diarrhea, kidney » Clean and wash sports clothing and failure, uncontrollable fever, death equipment after each use. » ROTAVIRUS: 55,000 children hospitalized » Avoid whirlpools, hydrotherapy pools, cold with this each year tubs, swimming pools and other common » ECHOVIRUS: meningitis, encephalitis, tubs if you have an open wound. neonatal sepsis, myocarditis and chronic » Use a barrier (e.g. clothing or a towel) infection between your skin, common use areas » COXSACKIE VIRUS: sore throat, abdominal (desks, benches,etc) and shared discomfort or nausea IUS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY equipment. (Consider all the human misery that could be Room 129 Hausfeldt Building 812-941-2989 avoided by hand washing!) Special thanks to Eastern Washington University for providing the template.