If your skin gets very dry and broken, it can easily become infected with bacteria.

It's important to recognize an

 

 

 

 

 

infection
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.

 

 

 

 

 

infection early so that it can be treated quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
Atopic dermatitis: diagnosing atopic dermatitis.
August 2005. Available at http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Atopic_Dermatitis/atopic_dermatitis_ff.asp (accessed on 22 April 2009).

 

 

 

 

 

¹ If it's not treated, it can get worse and spread.

Infections often start where skin touches skin, under the arm or in the groin, for example.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Peters J.
Eczema.
Nursing Standard. 2000; 14: 49-56.

 

 

 

 

 

² It's good to check those areas.

Here are some symptoms that can mean you have an infection:

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
Atopic dermatitis: diagnosing atopic dermatitis.
August 2005. Available at http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Atopic_Dermatitis/atopic_dermatitis_ff.asp (accessed on 22 April 2009).

 

 

 

 

 

¹

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Barnetson RS, Rogers M.
Childhood atopic eczema.
BMJ. 2002; 324: 1376-1379.

 

 

 

 

 

³

Skin infections sometimes need to be treated with

 

 

 

 

 

antibiotics
These medications are used to help your immune system fight infection. There are a number of different types of antibiotics that work in different ways to get rid of bacteria, parasites and other infectious agents. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.

 

 

 

 

 

antibiotics. These drugs kill the bacteria that caused the infection and keep it from spreading.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Peters J.
Eczema.
Nursing Standard. 2000; 14: 49-56.

 

 

 

 

 

² Or antifungal drugs can be used to treat infections caused by

 

 

 

 

 

fungus
A fungus is an organism that is sometimes considered to be a type of plant. A fungus lives by feeding on other organisms. The mushrooms we eat in salads are fungi, but so are candida and cryptococcus, which can cause infections in people's bodies.

 

 

 

 

 

fungi. To learn more, see Antibiotics and antifungals.

One particular infection can be very dangerous. It can be life-threatening. This infection is called eczema herpeticum. It's caused by the virus that causes cold sores (the herpes virus). If you have eczema, you shouldn't touch anyone who has a cold sore.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Mackley CL, Adams DR, Anderson B, et al.
Eczema herpeticum: a dermatologic emergency.
Dermatology Nursing Journal. 2002; 14: 307-310.

 

 

 

 

 

⁴

The symptoms of eczema herpeticum are clusters of blisters or sores that appear suddenly, like a rash. They fill with liquid or pus, then become raw or weepy. You may get a

 

 

 

 

 

high temperature
A high temperature is a general sign that there is an infection or inflammation in your body. Temperatures vary, but anything over about 100 degrees Fahrenheit is considered high.

 

 

 

 

 

high temperature or feel unwell. You should see your doctor immediately if you think you or your child might have this infection.

If you get this infection, you'll probably have to take antiviral drugs in the hospital.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Peters J.
Eczema.
Nursing Standard. 2000; 14: 49-56.

 

 

 

 

 

²

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Rudikoff D, Lebwohl M.
Atopic dermatitis.
Lancet. 1998; 351: 1715-21.

 

 

 

 

 

⁵

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