Skin, soft tissue and wound infections and treatment

Skin, soft tissue and wound infections are one of the commonest infections in surgical practice. Normal intact skin provides the external surface of the body with a protective coat. Daily exfoliation of the superficial layers of the skin and other non-specific defenses of the skin keep bacteria levels down. However, different sites in the skin and areas of skin have microbes (bacteria and fungi) living harmoniously with human host.

Break in surface of the skin, contamination of exposed tissues, multiplications of bacteria, virulence of the bacteria, wound environment and antibiotics are the factors which determine the nature of wound infections.

Common bacteria which cause Skin, soft tissue and wound infections are two types;

1. primary pathogens ( Staphylococcus aureus, group A hemolytic streptococci)
2. opportunistic pathogens ( gram negative bacilli including pseudomonas, anaerobic streptococci)

Treatment for Skin, soft tissue and wound infections

1. asses the patient
2. local treatment (pus draining, surgery)
3. appropriate antibiotics