Skin Infections

The primary care provider will commonly see skin and soft tissue infections in the outpatient setting. Skin and soft tissue infections range from the uncomplicated impetigo to the potentially lethal necrotizing fasciitis. This article reviews these infections based on their underlying etiology: bacterial, fungal, and viral causes. This article discusses the etiology, presentation, evaluation, and management of impetigo, bullous impetigo, erysipelas, cellulitis, periorbital cellulitis, orbital cellulitis, folliculitis, furuncles, carbuncles, abscess, necrotizing fasciitis, sporotrichosis, tinea corporis, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, Herpes Simplex Virus, zoster, molluscum contagiosum, and warts.