A bacterial skin infection is an infection of the skin caused by a specific bacteria. The symptoms will depend upon the kind of infection, and may be minor or severe. Treatment often includes antibiotics.
A bacterial skin infection results from skin that has been wounded, scraped or cut open. This opening in the body's natural barrier allows bacteria to enter and multiply, leading to infections.
Although bacteria can often live on the skin without causing an infection, the risk of getting a bacterial skin infection becomes much higher when the skin is broken. People who have certain medical conditions including diabetes, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or skin damage from sunburn or any eczema are also more likely to be at risk. Many different types of bacteria can enter through the skin, but Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are the most common. Common bacterial skin infections include: 1) cellulitis: this condition forms deep within the skin's layers and can cause the skin to swell, turn red and be warm and tender, 2) folliculitis: it forms with small, white lumps around the hair follicles, 3) impetigo: a superficial skin infection that usually starts with sores around the nose or mouth and lead to honey-like looking crusts, 4) boils and carbuncles: they begin as red lumps (such as a folliculitis) that grow larger and fill with pus before breaking open and draining. The symptoms of bacterial skin infection can be mild or life-threatening.
Minor bacterial skin infections may resolve spontaneously without treatment (such as impetigo and folliculitis). Serious and persistent bacterial infections are usually treated with antibiotics (cellulitis and boils). The types of antibiotics which are used include topical creams and oral medication or injections. Before commencing antibiotics it is recommended that samples are taken in order to determine which organism is responsible for the infection and whether or not they have any antibiotic resistance. If the infection is serious, immediate treatment with a broad-spectrum antibiotic may be indicated. Once the specific organism that has caused the infection has been determined, the broad-spectrum antibiotic may be replaced by a specific antibiotic that is directed against the particular organism.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
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