A skin infection occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites enter or multiply in the skin. The appearance and treatment can be quite different depending on the cause.

1. Bacterial skin infection

Common examples include cellulitis, folliculitis, boils, and abscesses.

Typical signs:

• Red, warm, swollen skin

• Pain or tenderness

• Pus or discharge

• A boil or painful lump

• Redness that gradually spreads

• Sometimes fever or chills

Bacterial infections may require antibiotics, but the appropriate medicine depends on the infection and should generally be selected by a clinician.

2. Fungal skin infection

Common examples include ringworm (tinea), athlete's foot, and fungal infection of the groin.

Typical signs:

• Itching is often prominent

• Red or darker patches

• Scaling or peeling

• Ring-shaped lesions with a more active/scaly edge

• Cracks or whitish skin between the toes

• Often occurs in warm, sweaty areas

Treatment usually involves an antifungal medicine. Keeping the area dry is also important.

3. Viral skin infection

Examples include shingles, herpes simplex, and some viral warts.

Possible signs:

• Small groups of blisters

• Burning, tingling, or pain

• Sores or ulcers

• Warts or small growths

Some viral infections require specific antiviral treatment, particularly when treatment is started early.

4. Parasitic infections

For example, scabies is caused by mites.

Typical features:

• Intense itching, often worse at night

• Small red bumps

• Sometimes thin lines/burrows in the skin

• Commonly affects the fingers, wrists, waist, armpits and other areas

• Other household members may also develop itching

Scabies requires specific treatment and usually attention to close contacts and bedding/clothing.

When should you see a doctor quickly?

Get medical evaluation if you have:

• Rapidly increasing redness or swelling

• Severe or increasing pain

• Fever

• Significant pus or an abscess

• Red streaks extending from the affected area

• Black/blue or rapidly changing skin

• Infection around the eye or face

• A wound that isn't healing

• Symptoms that are not improving with basic care

What you can do meanwhile

Keep the area clean and dry, avoid scratching or squeezing boils, don't share towels/razors/clothing, and avoid applying multiple creams randomly—particularly steroid-containing combination creams, which can sometimes make fungal infections worse or mask their appearance.

If you send me a clear photo of the affected skin (and tell me where it is, how many days you've had it, whether it itches/pains, and whether there is pus or discharge), I can help you understand what type of infection it most resembles and what questions to discuss with a doctor.