Impetigo and cellulitis are common bacterial skin infections with different causes, symptoms, and treatments. Learn how to tell them apart and which antibiotics actually work-based on current medical guidelines and regional resistance patterns.
Bacterial Skin Infection: Causes, Treatments, and What to Watch For
When your skin gets broken—whether from a cut, scrape, insect bite, or even a rash—it opens the door to bacterial skin infection, an invasion of harmful bacteria like Staphylococcus or Streptococcus that trigger redness, swelling, warmth, and sometimes pus or fever. Also known as skin cellulitis, it’s not just a rash—it’s your body’s alarm system telling you something’s wrong inside. These infections don’t always look scary at first. A tiny red spot might seem harmless, but if it spreads quickly, feels hot to the touch, or starts oozing, it’s not just a bug bite. It’s an infection that needs attention.
Not all bacterial skin infections are the same. cellulitis, a deeper infection that spreads through the skin layers and can enter the bloodstream is one of the most common and dangerous. It often starts on the legs but can show up anywhere. Then there’s impetigo, a highly contagious infection common in kids, with honey-colored crusts around the nose and mouth. And don’t ignore folliculitis—those red bumps around hair follicles—sometimes it’s just irritation, but if it keeps coming back, it could be MRSA, a type of antibiotic-resistant staph. These aren’t just skin-deep problems. Left untreated, they can lead to abscesses, sepsis, or even tissue death.
What makes these infections worse? Overuse of antibiotics. When people take them for viral rashes or stop early because they feel better, they’re training bacteria to survive. That’s why some infections don’t respond to the usual pills anymore. The real fix isn’t just stronger drugs—it’s knowing when to see a doctor, how to clean wounds properly, and avoiding things like sharing towels or scratching open sores. Even simple habits like keeping nails short and moisturizing dry skin can cut your risk.
What you’ll find in the posts below aren’t generic advice or internet myths. These are real, practical guides from people who’ve dealt with infections, misdiagnoses, and medication mix-ups. You’ll see how drug interactions can make antibiotics less effective, why some OTC creams make things worse, and how to spot when a simple infection turns into an emergency. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what works.