What are the Best Ways to Protect the Skin from Infections?

Unless it affects you personally, it would be hard to give much thought to skin diseases. The truth is that infections do not get as much attention as other diseases like cancer or diabetes. 

Skin diseases are nevertheless a health burden that impacts the quality of patients’ lives. Reports show that up to 50 million Americans will experience an acne attack yearly. Atopic dermatitis affects one out of ten people. Androgenetic alopecia or hair loss attacks 80 million Americans, while 7.5 million will have psoriasis. 

Some skin infections can occur due to factors that are beyond your control. But, there are some things you could be doing that put you at risk. Remember, simple steps can protect your skin, and we will show you what they are. 

Start By Understanding the Types of Skin Infections

Let’s start by exploring the different types of skin infections.

• Bacterial infections will often start as small red bumps that grow in size. Typical examples are boils, leprosy, cellulitis and impetigo. Your doctor will prescribe medication in the form of topical or oral antibiotics. 
• Viral skin infections can be mild to quite severe. Common viruses are herpes, human papillomavirus, and poxvirus. Conditions include measles, shingles, warts, and chickenpox. 
• Fungal skin infections tend to develop in damp places. They include athletes’ feet, ringworms, oral thrush, and nail fungus. Many ladies will also suffer from yeast infections that can cause severe itching and an odorless curdled milk-like discharge. You can use vaginal itching relief cream for private parts to soothe the irritation, burning and discomfort.
• Parasitic skin infections come from lice, bedbugs, and cutaneous larva migrans. The parasites burrow under the skin and lay eggs, which on hatching will irritate or infect the skin. The infection can then enter the bloodstream and infect internal organs as well.

Tips On How to Protect Yourself from Skin Infections

Wash Your Hands

Your hands touch a lot of things. That means the chances of coming in contact with germs are very high. If you have a tear in your skin, you could transfer the germs into your body, resulting in an infection.

Stay Dry

We mentioned that fungal skin infections arise due to dampness. After bathing, dry your body well with a clean towel. Make sure you reach in-between the toes to avoid the athlete’s foot.

Ladies, avoid wearing very restrictive clothing and opt for cotton underwear. The material is breathable and can help prevent fungal infections. This is especially important during your menses.

Do not stay in sweaty gym clothes longer than necessary. The sweat under your armpits, groin, and skin folds can result in skin infections.

Treat Wounds

Open wounds provide an entry point for germs. Keep the wound area clean and cover it until a scab forms over it. Do not pick at the scab because all you are doing is not allowing the wound to heal.  The same applies to popping pimples or trying to remove blackheads.

Avoid Aggressive Scratching

The urge to scratch can be pretty intense. But you need to be careful about being too aggressive because it can tear the skin.

We talked about vaginal yeast infections above. Anyone who has experienced an attack will tell you how bad the itching can get. Yet, the private parts have thin layers of skin that can easily tear. Keep a tube of vaginal itch cream nearby if you are prone to yeast infections.

Be Careful About Sun Damage

The sun’s UV rays are not good for your skin at all. Over time it will cause wrinkles, age spots, discoloration and skin cancer.

You must avoid overexposure to the sun if you have to be outdoors. Do not leave the house without sunscreen. When shopping for one, go for a broad-spectrum sunscreen for protection from UVA and UVB rays.

The SPF should, at a minimum, be 30. Your skin type also determines the one you buy. Non-comedogenic sunscreen, for instance, is suitable for oil or acne skin. Mineral sunscreens work for sensitive skin.

Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and long-sleeved clothing when out in the sun. It helps to cover up as much as you can to avoid sun damage. A cover-up and umbrella while at the beach is also a good idea.

Your Skin Care Routine Matters

It is a good idea to bathe every day to wash away the dirt and germs. But the more exposed areas like the face need a little more attention. So:-

• Wash your face in the morning and evening. Be gentle so that you do not irritate the skin through aggressive scrubbing. 
• Moisturize your skin while damp. That way, you lock in the skin moisture. 
• A long hot bath or shower will dry your skin. Use warm water and don’t exceed 10 minutes in the shower. 
• Be mindful of the beauty products you use on your skin. Abrasive products can harm your skin. Invest in a mild cleanser and moisturizer. 
• Avoid the habit of touching your face all the time. It can be challenging because you may not always be aware of it. But be more mindful about stopping the habit. 
• Keep up with hydrating your body. Your skin needs moisture; otherwise, it will dry out, resulting in chapping. You will notice itching, flaking, roughness and scaly skin.
• Investing in a humidifier is a good idea if your skin tends to be dry. If the air is dry, it will draw moisture from you, resulting in the skin drying.   

Observe Your Skin Condition

Do pay attention to your skin health. You may know every inch of your face because it is one area you pay the most attention to. But it doesn’t hurt to do a head-to-toe check.

So, stand in front of a full-length mirror and give yourself an occasional skin inspection. Your partner or siblings can help check the areas you can’t see well, like the back.

Catching skin infections early can make a big difference if you take quick action. It is essential to seek medical treatment for severe or recurring conditions.

Final Thoughts

You can avoid serious skin infections by taking good care of your skin. We have shared some tips on what you can do in the above. It all comes to good hygiene and being mindful about what you do. 

Develop a healthy skincare routine that involves washing, cleansing, and moisturizing. Stay away from harsh products that will cause more damage than good. Avoid aggressive rubbing or scratching. 

Topical creams, vaginal itch relief creams, and oral medications can help with the irritation. Finally, stay protected when in the sun and keep up with hydrating.