Bacterial Skin Infections: Epidemiology and Latest Research

Skin infections are very common throughout the world. The prevalence of skin infections has been reported as follows: pyoderma (prevalence range 0.2-35%, 6.9-35% in Sub-Saharan Africa), tinea capitis (1-19.7%), scabies (0.2-24%, 1.3-17% in Sub-Saharan Africa), viral skin disorders (0.4-9%, mainly molluscum contagiosum), pediculosis capitis (0-57%). Bacterial skin infections are the most common type of skin infections. The most common bacterial skin infections are reported as impetigo, folliculitis, furunculosis and abscesses, cellulitis, scarlet fever, erysipelas, erythrasma, necrotizing fasciitis and some others. In addition to these, ecthyma, carbunculosis, and mycobacterium skin infections are discussed in this review. The latest research gives us the information on the recent change in the bacterial etiology and treatment of bacterial skin infections. The increase in methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in impetigo has recently shown us the necessity of being more careful in regard to its treatment. There are also new measures to prevent skin infections, such as the use of maternal zinc supplementation.