Common Questions About Skin Infections
Your skin is important to your well-being because it is the largest organ of your body. It regulates your temperature, protects you from the environment, against injury and against certain infections.
If you have a skin infection there are some important questions you should be asking your doctor. Individuals who are well informed about their skin condition can be prepared to take better care of them and heal faster.
Your skin is important to your well-being because it is the largest organ of your body. It regulates your temperature, protects you from the environment, against injury and against certain infections. The skin contains nerves that allow you to feel temperature changes, pain, pressure and touch. Something this important to you deserves attention and when you have a skin infection, it is vital to return your skin to health quickly.
Here are some important questions to ask your doctor:
What will be involved in diagnosing my skin condition? There may be several different tests performed such as cultures, and possibly a biopsy. Ask for explanations of each test.
After diagnosis, ask about how you can prevent this infection from returning.
Ask if this infection is contagious to other family members or to dorm members.
Find out how long to expect your infection to last.
Ask the doctor when your receive prescriptions, if there are any risks to taking the medications.
Ask your doctor about any risk factors that you have for reoccurrences and what you can do to reduce them.
Find out if you should be watching for any complications of your skin infection.
Your doctor may give you care instructions for at home, such as soaking, or applying warm compresses. Make sure that you ask for specifics on how to do these activities.
Ask how you can improve your daily skin care regimen so that you may be able to head off any future skin infections.
Cat Skin InfectionsThose at a higher risk include those with diabetes, those who have AIDS and those who have damaged skin from sunburn or scratching.
Cellulitis is one type of bacterial skin infection. It can spread from the upper layer of skin to the dermis and is characterized by swelling and tenderness at the site of the infection.
Skin Yeast Infections
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If your skin infection is contagious, ask how you can help minimize the spread of the infection and be sure to write down what steps need to be taken.
If you are in sports, ask how you can prevent skin infections in the shower and locker room.
Don't be shy about asking any questions that you may have at the time of your appointment. You can also contact your doctor after your appointment if you think of any additional questions. The medical team is there to help you to understand your skin infection and to ensure that you know how to take care of your skin at home. Knowing all you can about your skin infection including how to care for it as well as steps you can take to stop the spread of infection to others helps to keep everyone healthy.
Skin infections are common and nothing to be ashamed about. Asking questions and getting the right answers will help you to deal better with your infection and get you on the path to healing faster.
New Info on Skin Infections
09/05/2008
Staph infection may have started in hip, family says (Lexington Herald-Leader)
After 14-year-old Mckenna Hatchett injured her hip at soccer practice last week, she went to the school trainer and later to her pediatrician. By Saturday, the George Rogers Clark freshman was in so much pain that her parents took her to the Central Baptist Hospital emergency room. Doctors there thought she might have pulled a groin muscle, family members said. They sent her home and ...
Staph infection may have started in hip, family says (Lexington Herald-Leader)
09/04/2008
Clark high schooler died of staph infection (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Nicknamed "Miss Smiley," the George Rogers Clark High School freshman who died Tuesday from a staph infection was loved by many, according to a family minister. Mckenna Brooke Hatchett, 14, was hospitalized early last week for a bruised hip she received during a soccer practice, said Clark County Schools Superintendent Ed Musgrove on Wednesday. Mckenna died Tuesday at University of ...
Clark high schooler died of staph infection (Lexington Herald-Leader)
09/03/2008
CLINICAL DECISIONS: Management of Skin and Soft-Tissue Infection (New England Journal of Medicine)
This interactive Journal feature presents the case of an otherwise healthy 20-year-old basketball player with acute onset of a red, painful area on his right buttock over the previous 2 days. Three possible treatment options, any of which could be considered correct, are presented. Which option do you recommend? At www.nejm.org you can vote for one and then, if you wish, submit a comment about ...
CLINICAL DECISIONS: Management of Skin and Soft-Tissue Infection (New England Journal of Medicine)
09/05/2008
At least 7 babies died from Cuban hospital bacteria (Miami Herald)
At least seven newborns died in the maternity hospital Hijas de Galicia here due to a bacterial infection they contracted in the operating room, medical sources said.
At least 7 babies died from Cuban hospital bacteria (Miami Herald)
09/05/2008
FDA posts list of potential problem drugs (AP via Yahoo! News)
The government on Friday began posting a list of prescription drugs under investigation for potential safety problems in an effort to better inform doctors and patients.
FDA posts list of potential problem drugs (AP via Yahoo! News)
09/05/2008
FDA posts list of potential problem drugs (AP via Yahoo! News)
The government on Friday began posting a list of prescription drugs under investigation for potential safety problems in an effort to better inform doctors and patients.
FDA posts list of potential problem drugs (AP via Yahoo! News)
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