How To Protect Your Skin And Prevent Infection? 

Do you know that Skin is the largest organ in our body?

Yes. You heard that right. It covers the entire body from outside and receives one-third of the circulation of blood. Our skin plays an active role in protecting us from heat and light; chemical actions and also from infections. It is also effective in maintaining body temperature.

While providing protection and regulation in the body, it also gives us a feeling or sense of what’s going on around us i.e., it passes on sensory information for which we may feel pleasant or painful. If sometimes this happens that our skin is broken or injured. But it can heal and repair itself which also makes it resilient.

But even though, it has powers and is self-dependent, it is also our role to take care and protect our skin from exterior pain, extreme force or pressure, and sheer breakdown. Our skin can breakdown due to several reasons- friction or pressure; a cut or a tear on the outside or sometimes too much exposure to moisture which makes the skin over-hydrated. 

Other than the above-mentioned cases, the skin may also become weak or breakdown due to factors that happen internally. It may include poor nutrition and hygiene, weight, or sometimes irregular circulation of oxygen inside the body. 

Thus it is our responsibility to take care of ourselves, our body, and our skin. According to ReliableMedRx, In this world where beauty is still recognized by the way we look or present ourselves, we must adhere to the natural conditions and keep ourselves fully hydrated and healthy, from head to toe.

Several factors may help us to keep our skin healthy, both internally and externally.

Ways to keep our skin healthy 

• Cuts and wounds are normal and may happen to anyone. But it is for us to understand that we must treat our wounds properly so that it doesn’t take the form of any infections later on.
• Moisturizing our skin is very important. It maintains skin quality, texture, and keeps it from drying. Thus the chance of skin breaking down is much less in comparison. We must use good creams to moisturize our skin. 
• We must also keep ourselves hydrated properly. Must drink enough water or should have an adequate intake of liquids.
• We must also have a proper and balanced diet. Just like our body and every organ needs nutrients to function, skin also needs it in a good amount. An adequate amount of proteins, vitamins ensures the healing of wounds at a faster rate. 
• We must also prevent any kind of mechanical injuries to our skin which may later remain as a spot or leave a mark permanently on our skin. Lifting heavy weights, pressure on muscles or tight clothing on our body may sometimes contribute to minor strains on the body. This can lead to stretch marks.
• Keeping our skin clean and dry is also important. We must bathe using mild soaps and avoid hot water in the process. Avoid rubbing your skin too harshly to escape red wounds. 

Now you may say that all of this is okay but how will we know that our skin is damaged or broken or even infected?

We have the answer to this also!

Well, to start with skin breakdowns, it may appear as a red spot on our skin. We may feel itchy or it may hurt. It may irritate sometimes or feel cooler or warmer in that area. Sometimes you may also get blisters or acne in several areas which are worse as they leave a spot. 

The second problem and serious of all is Skin infection. Infections can occur to anyone and may turn out to be pretty serious sometimes. It is caused by the growth of bacteria or microorganisms underlying the skin and may enter through minor cuts and wounds. 

 There are certain types of infections to deal with:

1. Bacterial – they may appear as bumps on the skin which may increase over time. These are common in nature and can be treated with antibiotics, while others may need intense care.
2. Viral – these infections are caused by certain viruses which may range from mild to severe and dangerous.
3. Fungal –these generally occur in damp areas of the body and also spread through physical contact with other people.
4. Parasitic – as the name suggests, these are caused by parasites that can spread to the organs via blood circulation.

Signs of skin infections can be pus or blisters in general. Skin breakdown is also considered to be a sign of infections in cases. 

Apart from nurturing and taking care of our skin with the proper ingredients, a medical examination is a must. Continuation of a certain symptom is dangerous and hence can require medical assistance. 

A bacterial infection is treated with topical antibiotics that are applied directly on the skin (bacitracin, neomycin, Neosporin, mupicrocin) and also oral antibiotics (almox500mg, erythromycin, septilin). Over-the-counter or OTC means medications that don’t require any prescriptions and are used to treat minor body ailments.

You can also use OTC antifungal sprays and creams (Clotrimazole or Lotrimin, ketoconazole, or Nizoral) to treat certain fungal infections. In the case of parasitic infections, you may need creams for your infections. In the case of reducing discomfort, you may also use anti-inflammatory drugs. 

Other medications include: 

• Anthralin used for reducing inflammation.
• Creams, gels, washes, and foams containing Benzoyl peroxide is used to treat acne. 
• Antiviral agents such as acyclovir (Zovirax) and famciclovir (Famvir).

Taking skin infections seriously

Here are some simple measures to try by yourself:

1. Hand hygiene – washing our hands properly with soap and keeping it clean.
2. Protecting skin – shielding it from harmful exterior elements
3. Environmental awareness – keep your home and surrounding clean
4. Precautions – Avoid contact with people having skin infections

Conclusion:

The above medications were stated to prevent skin infections but one can also prevent such infections by a better sense of hygiene. Infections are not something to be ignored rather it should be treated on time with care.