Infectious skin diseases: a type that often occurs in Indonesia

Skin disease is one of the most common diseases affecting people. Divided into contagious and non-communicable diseases, infectious skin diseases appear more frequently in Indonesian society.

The cause of this disease is usually a fungal, viral, and bacterial infection that can be spread through direct contact with skin, air, or sharing of objects. What are the types of diseases?

Types of infectious skin diseases that need to be watched out for

Do not underestimate any symptoms that appear on your skin. These symptoms could be the signs of the following infectious skin diseases.

1. Herpes Simplex

Herpes is a skin disease caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The main characteristic that marks herpes is the appearance of blisters or blisters on the skin, especially on the mouth or genitals.

Based on the infected area, the disease is divided into herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2).

HSV-1 affects the area around the mouth and is known as oral herpes or cold sores. This contagious skin disease can be spread from kissing, sharing toothbrushes and eating utensils, or other activities that allow fluids from the patient's mouth to enter your body.

Meanwhile, HSV-2 usually infects the area around the genitals or rectum, so it is referred to as genital herpes. This disease can be transmitted through sexual contact with people with herpes or from mothers with herpes to children who are born.

The herpes virus will continue to stay in the body after it infects. In other words, this skin disease cannot be cured. However, you may not show any symptoms.

Symptoms and blisters usually appear only when you experience such as fatigue, pain, stress, menstruation, or when your immune system is weakened.

2. Chicken pox

Chickenpox is a contagious skin disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. Before the chickenpox vaccine was discovered, this highly contagious skin disease could be fatal.

The development of the chickenpox vaccine to date has succeeded in reducing the incidence rate, although a number of cases of chickenpox still afflict children every year.

Chickenpox is characterized by an itchy rash that can appear on the face, scalp, or all over the body and is accompanied by pink spots. These spots will later turn into small blisters or bouncy water-filled sores that can spread throughout the body.

Transmission of chickenpox can occur from the sufferer to the people around him in various ways. The virus can be spread by skin-to-skin contact, from the saliva or mucus of an infected person, or through the droplets of a person coughing or sneezing.

Although it can affect anyone, this skin disease that lasts 5-10 days can be more easily transmitted to children and people from vulnerable groups such as newborns, people who have not been vaccinated, and people with weakened immune systems. .

3. Shingles or shingles

Just like chicken pox, shingles aka shingles in adults is also caused by a virus called varicella-zoster. People who have had chickenpox can turn the virus back on when their immune system is down, under severe stress, or when they are over 50 years old.

This can happen because when you have chickenpox and recover, it is possible that the virus has not completely disappeared from the body. The virus only stays in the nervous system for a long time until it becomes active again and then moves towards the skin cells to cause a disease in the form of shingles.

Shingles can be transmitted to people who have not had the chickenpox vaccine. Transmission can occur through skin contact with an open wound with shingles.

However, this contagious disease is not shingles, but still in the form of chicken pox. The risk of spreading is reduced if these blisters are closed, and then they are not contagious again once the wound has completely dried up.

The symptom of shingles begins with the appearance of a series of red spots on one side of the body or face accompanied by pain or a burning sensation. Other symptoms include a tingling sensation under the skin, abdominal pain, fever, chills, and headaches.

4. Scabies

Unlike other contagious skin diseases that occur due to infection, scurvy is actually caused by a small named mite Sarcoptes scabei. These parasites are spread on the outer layer of the skin, then dig up and incubate the eggs there, causing a rash and itching.

Scabies can appear between the fingers, around the waist or belly button, on the knees, or on the buttocks. This skin disease is very easily transmitted through very close physical contact between the skin and through clothes, towels, or soap that are shared.

That is why if someone has scabies, then all family members must also get treatment.

Symptoms of scabies usually don't appear immediately once you are infected. After four to six weeks, your skin will start to react with a number of symptoms.

Among these symptoms are intense itching, especially at night, a rash that resembles acne, scaly skin or blisters, and sores from too much scratching.

5. Ringworm

Ringworm is a contagious skin disease caused by a fungus. This disease can attack the body's skin, head, nails, feet, and even the area of ​​the intimate organs.

The fungus that causes ringworm thrives on warm, moist areas of the body. Therefore, you are more at risk of experiencing this disease if you are not careful in maintaining skin cleanliness.

Ringworm can be spread by skin-to-skin contact. The risk of contracting is higher if you borrow contaminated items such as hair accessories, clothes, or towels.

Disease known as ringworm it can also pass from animals to humans. For those of you who have pets, take them to the doctor for regular check-ups to reduce the risk.

Ringworm sufferers generally have reddish patches on their skin. These patches will appear circular, appear raised compared to the surrounding skin, and have rough edges. If it appears on the scalp, you may find scaly patches and hair loss there.

6. Warts

Reporting from the American Academy of Dermatology Association, warts are an overgrowth of skin due to a viral infection of the top layer of the skin.

Wart growths can occur on the fingers, soles of the feet, and areas of skin that are frequently shaved. The virus that causes these warts is known as human papillomavirus (HPV).

HPV can be spread by direct contact between healthy skin and the skin of an infected person. You can even get warts after touching items used by sufferers, for example after handling used towels. This is why warts are a contagious skin disease.

The dangers of warts don't stop there. In addition to the parts of the body that have been previously mentioned, HPV can also attack the genitals and be transmitted through sexual contact. Therefore, this disease is also classified as a sexually transmitted infection.

Your immune system is actually strong enough to fight HPV infection so not everyone who is exposed to this virus will develop warts.

However, the immune system can be weakened due to disease, medication, or other conditions. You are also more prone to developing this condition if you have previously had chronic skin diseases.

7. Impetigo

Impetigo is a common skin infection caused by certain bacteria found in the environment, especially clothes, towels, bedding, and everyday utensils. The bacteria that cause impetigo thrive in warm, humid places.

When the initial symptoms appear, people who experience impetigo will feel itching so that they scratch and damage the surface of their skin. This will make it easier for bacteria to enter the skin.

The sores caused by impetigo can be shaped like a boil around the mouth (bullae) or like a dry scab (crust). In severe cases, this disease can attack deeper parts of the skin.

Impetigo belongs to a group of highly contagious skin diseases. The spread of bacteria can occur through contact between the skin and sufferers, entering the skin through wounds, or insect bites. The risk of transmission is even higher if you live in a crowded environment.

In addition, there are a number of other factors that can increase your risk of developing impetigo. For example, children between 2 - 5 years of age, warm and humid weather, and sports that involve skin contact such as wrestling or martial arts.

People who have diabetes or have a weakened immune system are also more at risk of developing this condition.

8. Yeast infection

The human body is basically not completely clean from bacteria and fungi. Yeast-like mushrooms Candida is a type of organism that naturally occurs in your body.

However, uncontrolled growth of yeast fungi can lead to infection and lead to skin disease.

Most cases of yeast infection generally attack the area of ​​the sex organs. In men, the infection usually occurs on the head of the penis. Meanwhile, in women, yeast fungus can thrive on the outside of the vagina or called the vulva.

Apart from these two areas, yeast fungus can also infect other parts of the body that have skin folds such as the armpits and the lower part of the breast.

The main characteristic that signals a yeast infection is inflammation of the skin. Apart from that, you may also experience the following symptoms.

• The appearance of a rash or bumps resembling pimples.
• Itching sensation on the skin.
• A burning sensation in the genitals, especially during sexual intercourse or urination.
• The vagina looks red and swollen.
• Pain in the infected area.
• A thick, clear, white, or yellowish discharge from the genitals.

Skin diseases caused by yeast fungi can be transmitted through sexual contact.

Although it can affect anyone, this condition is more common in women. Especially if you have a high amount of the hormone estrogen, regularly use antibiotics, have diabetes, or have a weak immune system.

Tips to prevent transmission of skin diseases

Infectious skin diseases are different from autoimmune skin diseases which are triggered by disorders of the immune system so that they cannot be prevented. The causative factor comes from infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in the surrounding environment.

For this reason, you can still take efforts to prevent it from becoming infected. Below are some tips that you can do.

• Wash your hands regularly with soap, especially after activities.
• Clean publicly owned equipment before use. For example, when you want to use tools in the fitness center, use cutlery in restaurants, and so on.
• Trying not to come into direct contact with the skin of the sufferer.
• Avoid the habit of sharing things with others. Items in question include clothes, blankets, toothbrushes, combs, hair ornaments and more.
• Avoid the habit of sharing glasses and cutlery with other people.
• Maintain a healthy immune system by eating a balanced nutritious diet, getting enough sleep, and drinking enough water.
• Limiting or even avoiding activities that can cause physical and mental stress excessively.

Some types of skin diseases can also be prevented through vaccination, for example chicken pox. Make sure that you and all your family members have received the necessary vaccinations to prevent these diseases.

Vaccines are now widely available and can be obtained without having to pay a lot of money.

Some types of work may require you to interact frequently with people with skin diseases. Or, you may occasionally feel worried about experiencing the symptoms of a skin condition like the one above.

If so, there is nothing wrong with seeing a skin specialist immediately. A thorough examination will help you get the right treatment and prevent transmission to other people.