What Happens if You Ignore a Skin Infection?

The skin is the largest organ in the body, and like any other organ, it can become infected. Infections can be caused by viruses (e.g., warts, chickenpox), bacteria (e.g., impetigo, cellulitis), fungi (e.g., athlete’s foot, ringworm), or parasites (e.g., scabies, lice). Each type comes with a different presentation and requires a different treatment.

The providers at Rapid Response Urgent Care see numerous types of skin infections at their walk-in clinic in Granada Hills, California. Some people try to ignore the signs of an infection, hoping it will resolve on its own, but some types of infections can be serious and require medical attention. Here’s why you should never ignore a skin infection.

How does the skin get infected?

The skin has several layers. The top layer is called the epidermis, and it both makes cells and gives your skin its color. The middle layer, the dermis, makes oils to protect the skin and sweat to cool you. It also contains nerve endings that help you sense things like heat, cold, and pain.

The inner layer is made of subcutaneous fat, which attaches the skin to muscles and bones, and helps control your temperature. Different types of infections target different layers of skin. In general, the deeper the infection lies, the worse it may be.

Most pathogens that cause skin infections gain access through cuts in the skin, which is why it’s always important to clean and dress a cut when you get one. Some bacteria, such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, are naturally present on the skin, which gives them easy access.

Some infections are localized to the area the pathogen enters, while others are systemic, affecting the entire body, of which the visible rash or swelling on the skin is only one part of the problem.

Fungal infections usually develop in moist areas of the body, such as between the toes, in the armpit, or where you have skin folds.

What happens if you ignore a skin infection?

If you ignore an infection, even if it’s one that usually resolves on its own, you give it the opportunity to spread. Some infections, such as chickenpox and athlete’s foot, are very contagious, meaning you can easily give them to other people, making them sick, as well.

In addition, an infection like athlete’s foot can spread across your own body. If it reaches the groin area, it’s called jock itch. If it reaches your scalp, it’s called ringworm. It requires some form of antifungal treatment, either cream or pill, to eliminate the infection.

Other infections, such as the bacteria-caused cellulitis, isn’t contagious, but it can be harmful to yourself. The infection most often affects your lower leg, though it can appear anywhere on your skin. The area becomes dark red, swollen, hot, and tender.

If it gets into the deep skin layers, it can enter your bloodstream and spread through your body, causing a life-threatening problem. It requires IV antibiotics to resolve.

The bottom line is, if you have a skin infection, seek medical help. You don’t necessarily know if what you have is serious or contagious, and it’s risky to simply ignore the problem and hope it goes away.

Rapid Response Urgent Care can help you determine what the problem is and how best to treat it. Walk in, call us at 818-923-5216, or book an appointment online today.