Tag Archives: Skin Infections

Skin Infections

Bacterial Skin Infections

Disease, health and medicine,

Skin is known to be the largest organ of the body. Its function is to protect your body from infection. Sometimes the skin itself becomes infected. Skin infections are caused by a wide variety of germs, and symptoms can vary from mild to serious. Mild infections may be treatable with home remedies and over-the-counter medications, whereas other infections may need medical attention.

Causes

The skin offers an unusually good barrier against bacterial infections. Even though various bacteria come in contact with or reside on the skin, they are usually unable to establish an infection. When bacterial skin infections do happen, they can range in size from a tiny spot to the entire body surface. They can range in seriousness as well, from harmless to life-threatening.

Bacterial skin infections develop when bacteria enter through hair follicles or through small breaks in the skin that result from punctures, scrapes, burns, surgery, sunburn, insect bites, wounds, and preexisting skin disorders. 

Risk Factors

Some people are at particular risk of developing skin infections:

  • Older people
  • People who are hospitalized or living in a nursing home
  • People who are undergoing chemotherapy or treatment with other drugs that suppress the immune system
  • People with diabetes, have a high level of sugar in their blood, who are likely to have poor blood flow, which lessens their ability to fight infections
  • People who have HIV, AIDS, or other immune disorders, or hepatitis

Symptoms

If you think your skin may be infected, watch for these signs:

  • Swelling that gets worse after a few days 
  • Pain that gets worse after a few days
  • Sores that look like blisters
  • Red skin around the injury 
  • Fluid leaking out of the cut 

Diagnosis

To diagnose a skin infection, your doctor will start by looking at the affected area and any sores or bumps. They may also ask you about your symptoms. Since skin infections can result from many different types of germs, you may need lab tests to get a proper diagnosis. The doctor will collect samples of fluids, pus, or skin scrapings and send them to a lab for more testing. This will help them give you the right treatment. 

Treatment 

If you have an infection, your doctor may prescribe medicine. 

Bacterial infections are often treated with topical antibiotics applied directly to the skin or with oral antibiotics. If the strain of bacteria is resistant to treatment, treating the infection may require intravenous antibiotics administered in the hospital.  

In addition to medications, home care for skin infections works to lessen symptoms. Home care may include:

  • Take over-the-counter antihistamines to lessen itching
  • Apply cold compresses to your skin several times a day to decrease inflammation and itching
  • Use topical creams and ointment to reduce itching and discomfort 
Prescribe To Treat Infections Caused by Bacteria

Prescribe To Treat Infections Caused by Bacteria

health and medicine, ,

Ceftin is an oral antibiotic drug. It is prescribe to treat infections caused by bacteria.  It works by killing the bacteria in your body. However, it does not work for viral infections such as colds and flu. It can only treat bacterial infections.

The generic name of Ceftin is Cefuroxime. You can buy this drug only with your doctor’s prescription.

What condition does Ceftin treats?

Ceftin can treat bacterial infections such as:

How does Ceftin works?

Ceftin can stop the growth of bacteria. It prevents the bacteria from forming their cell wall. Without the cell wall, the bacteria will die. The bacteria cell wall protects them from their external environment.

What is the dosage of Ceftin?

  • Adults and children 12 years and older
  • The recommended dose ranges from 250 mg to 500 mg two times a day. You need to take it for 7-10 days. For gonorrhea, a single dose of 1000 mg may use.
  • Children less than 12 years old
  • The recommended dose is 10 mg to 15 mg per kg body weight. Take the medication by mouth two times a day for 7-10 days. Children younger than 12 years of age are not allowed to use the tablet form.
  • To treat Lyme, take the medication every 12 hours for 20 days.

How to take Ceftin?

  • Read and follow the directions on the product label.
  • Take the medicine with food to increase absorption.
  • You need to swallow the tablets whole. Do not chew or crush the tablet.
  • Take the medicine at around the same time every day.
  • For liquid medication, shake the bottle before each use. Use a syringe or a measuring cup to get the exact measurement.
  • You may feel better for the first few days. Do not stop taking the medication. Continue taking the medication until you finish the prescription.
  • Do not take more than the recommended dose.
  • Consult your doctor if you want to switch from tablet to liquid form.

What are the precautions in taking Ceftin?

Before taking Ceftin:

  • Tell your doctor if you have any allergies.
  • Tell your doctor if you have:
    • Kidney disease
    • Intestinal disease
    • Liver disease
  • Tell your doctor if you’re taking any medications.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
  • Do not use this medication in children younger than 3 months old.

Costs of Generic Cefuroxime vs Ceftin

The generic brand Cefuroxime is cheaper than the brand name Ceftin. Cefuroxime 250 mg costs $2.00 per unit price or $40.00 for 20 tabs. While the branded Ceftin 250 mg costs $17.29 per unit price or $347.74 for 20 tabs.

Buy Clotrimazole

Clotrimazole Cream

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Clotrimazole Cream is an over-the-counter antifungal medication. It is prescribed for the treatment of skin infections caused by dermatophytes, yeast, molds and other fungi such as:

  • Ringworm (tines corporis)
  • Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis)
  • Fungal nappy rash (Candida Albican)
  • Sweat rash
  • Fungal infections of the groin like jock itch
  • For the relieve of external symptoms of vaginal thrush (Candida vaginitis)
  • Thrush infection of the penis or foreskin (Candida balanitis)

Clotrimazole cream works by killing the fungi and yeast that cause infections in the body. It interferes with the cell membrane so it won’t produce the enzyme ergosterol. This enzyme is necessary for the fungi and yeast to survive. The disruption in the production of this enzyme cause holes to appear in the cell membrane and kills the fungi.  

Why Buy Clotrimazole Cream?

Clotrimazole Cream is on the World Health Organization list of essential medicines. It’s one of the safest and most effective medicines needed in the health system. It is available as generic and brand names. The generic name is cheaper than the branded counterpart. Both versions have the same mechanism of action and efficacy.

How to Use Clotrimazole Cream?

Use Clotrimazole Cream as instructed in the package label or as directed by your physician. Apply a thin layer on the affected area of the skin two to three times a day. Rub the cream gently. Remember that a strip of cream about 0.5cm long is enough to treat an area of the skin about the size of a hand. In treating athlete’s foot and ringworm, use this cream for at least one month. For thrush infection, use the cream for at least two weeks. Continue using the cream after all the symptoms have cleared up to make sure the infection won’t come back.

Wash your hands properly after treating athlete’s foot. Before applying the cream, make sure that you have washed and dry your feet. Do not cover the treated areas.

Things to Remember

  • Do not Clotrimazole Cream on areas with:
  • Viral skin infections like chickenpox, genital herpes and cold sores
  • Untreated bacterial skin infections like impetigo
  • Acne vulgaris
  • Acne rosacea
  • Skin lesion due to tuberculosis
  • A skin with perioral dermatitis
  • Do not apply the cream on broken skin.
  • Fungal infections spread easily. Avoid sharing personal items like towels with anyone.
  • This cream is not absorbed through into the bloodstream in a significant amount. It is therefore not expected to affect other medications.
Buy Azithromycin

Azithromycin

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Azithromycin is a potent antibiotic. It is proven to be effective against several varieties of bacterial infections such as:

  • Ear infections
  • Skin infections
  • Respiratory infections
  • Sexually transmitted disease like urethritis and cervicitis
  • Acute pelvic inflammatory disease

It is commonly used in both children and adults. It’s often prescribed in pill form but it is also available in liquid form for children who do not know how to take the pill form. It’s approved to treat pediatric conditions like:

  • Strep throat
  • Community-acquired pneumonia
  • Acute bacterial sinusitis
  • Tonsillitis
  • Laryngitis
  • Acute otitis media
  • Urinary tract infections

It’s often used off-label by doctors to treat other mild to moderate pediatric infections caused by susceptible bacteria like:

  • Pertussis or whooping cough
  • Pneumonia
  • Chronic bronchitis with a secondary bacterial infection

Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It works by stopping the bacteria that cause infections in the body. It prevents the bacteria from growing by inhibiting their ability to make proteins. However, it should not be use in treating infections caused viruses. 

Why Buy Azithromycin?

Azithromycin is a versatile antibiotic. It can treat wide varieties of bacterial infections. It’s a good choice for children who are allergic to penicillin. The generic name has been popular because it is less expensive than the brand names available in the market.

How to Take Azithromycin?

Your dose depends on your condition, your age and your weight. The typical dose for an adult is 500 mg to 2000 mg in multiple doses. For children, the dose is based on their weight. The recommended dose is 10mg per kg.

Take this medication exactly as directed. Take it with or without food with a glass of water. If you are using the liquid suspension, shake the bottle well before each use. Use a measuring dose or cup and not the average household spoon. Keep using this medication even if you feel well. Finish the entire course of your treatment. Do not stop taking this medication.

Things to Remember

  • This medication may cause nausea and vomiting just like any other medicines of its kind. However, the side effects can be mitigated by taking the medicine with foods.
  • Patients with heart problems must use this medication with care. This drug can cause heart rhythm disorder and sudden death.
  • Azithromycin may cause severe allergic reactions that require immediate medical attention. It may also cause other serious side effects like severe diarrhea and liver problems. If this happens, seek medical attention right away.
  • Do not take other medicines unless prescribed by your physician.
Buy Azithromycin

Medication Prescribed For Throat, Lung, Ear and Skin Infections

health and medicine, ,

Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic.  It is prescribed by doctors for the treatment of infections caused by bacteria. It is commonly used for the treatment of conditions like:

  • Throat infections
  • Lung infection like pneumonia. bronchitis
  • Sexually transmitted disease (STD)
  • Skin infections
  • Ear infections

It is also often used along with other antibiotics to prevent and treat disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection. MAC is a type of infection that affects people with HIV or human immunodeficiency virus. It can treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) flare-ups due to bacteria. It works by stopping the bacteria from replicating and spreading. This kills the bacteria and treats the infection.

Azithromycin is available in oral suspension and tablet, eye drop and intravenous form. It is available as a generic and as a brand-name. This drug only works against bacterial infection. It does not work for flu, colds and other infections caused by viruses.

How to use Azithromycin?

Your dose is based on your condition and the severity of your condition. For the treatment of lung and skin infection, the recommended dose for an adult is 500mg taken on the first day followed by 250mg on the next 4 days.  For COPD flare-ups, the recommended dose is 250 mg daily for three days. For the treatment and prevention of MAC, the recommended dose is 1200mg once a week.

For children weighing 34 kg or less, their dose is based on their body weight or as determined by the doctor. The duration of the treatment and the daily dose vary depending on the type of infections. Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Follow the prescription label carefully. Finish the entire course of the treatment even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication unless you are told to do so or you will experience side effects that are bothersome. In this case, call your doctor right away.

What are the side effects of Azithromycin?

Some of the side effects are:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain and discomfort

Serious side effects are:

  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Liver problems
  • Muscle weakness
  • Difficulty swallowing and chewing

Important Information

  • Do not use this medication if:
    • You are allergic to its active ingredient
    • You are allergic to erythromycin
    • You have severe kidney and liver problems
  • Misuse of this drug may lead to bacterial resistance. Do not use antibiotics without your doctors’ prescription.
  • Do not use antibiotics to treat viral infections like colds and flu.

Treating Skin Infections Caused By Staphylococcus Bacteria

health and medicine, ,

Mupirocin topical cream is an antibacterial medicine. It can treat skin infections caused by some staphylococcus bacteria. Mupirocin works by killing the bacteria that causes the skin infection.

What condition does Mupirocin topical cream treat?

Mupirocin can treat bacterial skin infections such as:

  • Impetigo
  • Boils
  • Infected hair follicles
  • Small cut infected with bacteria

How does Mupirocin topical cream works?

Mupirocin prevents the bacteria from producing proteins. These proteins are needed in order for the bacteria to survive. The abnormal production of proteins will prevent the bacteria from growing and eventually killing them.

What is the dosage for Mupirocin topical cream?

Adult dose:

  • Impetigo: Apply at least 2% of the ointment every 8 hours for 3-5 days.
  • Secondary skin infection: Apply a small amount of cream every 8 hours for 10 days.

Pediatric Dose: (3 months or older)

  • Impetigo: Apply a small amount in the affected area 3 times a day.

How to use Mupirocin topical cream?

  • Read the product label before using the cream.
  • Mupirocin is for external use only. Use Mupirocin on your skin.
  • Wash your hands before and after applying the cream.
  • Clean and dry the affected area.
  • Apply Mupirocin topical cream 3 times a day.
  • Use a cotton swab in applying the cream.
  • Cover the affected area with a dressing or a bandage if you want.
  • Use the medication regularly.
  • Continue using the cream even if the symptoms disappear.

What are the precautions in using Mupirocin topical cream?

  • Before using Mupirocin topical cream inform your doctor if:
  • You are allergic to Mupirocin or if you have allergies.
  • You have any health problems such as kidney disease.
  • Your affected area has an open wound.
  • Do not use Mupirocin longer than what is prescribed.
  • Avoid using Mupirocin topical cream around your mouth, nose and eyes.
  • Inform your doctor if you are using any other medications.
  • Mupirocin contains an ingredient that can be harmful to kidney when absorbed by open wounds.

Costs of Generic Mupirocin Topical Cream (T-Bact)

The generic Mupirocin topical cream is cheaper than the brand name Bactroban. But both the generic and the brand name contain the same active ingredient. Mupirocin topical cream 15g of 2% mg costs $14.50 for 1 tube. While the branded Bactroban 15g of 2% mg costs $115.57 for 1 tube.