The Skin Flora

The arrangement of the dermal micro flora varies from site to site according to the atmosphere of the microenvironment. A different bacterial flora illustrates each of three regions of skin: Axilla, perineum, and toe webs, Hand, face and trunk, Upper arms and legs

Skin sites with partial blocking (axilla, perineum, and toe webs) harbor more microorganisms than do less blocked areas (legs, arms, and trunk). These measurable differences may relate to enlarged amount of moisture, higher body temperature, and greater concentrations of skin surface lipids. The axilla, perineum, and toe webs are more often colonized by Gram-negative bacilli than are drier areas of the skin.

The amount of bacteria on an individual's skin remains comparatively constant; bacterial existence and the amount of colonization probably depend partially on the disclosure of skin to a particular environment or surrounding and partially on the inborn and species-specific bactericidal activity in skin. Likewise, a high degree of specificity is convoluted in the adherence of bacteria to epithelial surfaces.

Diseases Caused by Normal Flora of Skin:

Microbes present on the skin are generally regarded as pathogens, potential pathogens or innocuous symbiotic organisms. It is also significant to know that the difference among what we consider to be harmless flora or a pathogenic agent frequently lies in the skin’s capacity to resist infection, and not the characteristic properties of the microbe. Micro-flora on the skin includes bacteria, viruses and numerous types of fungi.

Bacterial skin infections are often caused by gram-positive strains of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus or further organisms. Common bacterial skin infections include: Propionibacterium acne is a collective skin anaerobe that is involved in the pathogenesis of acne. Cellulitis causes a tender red infection that is usually warm to touch. It happens most often on legs. Folliculitis is an infection of hair follicles that cause red, swollen bumps that appearance like pimple. Boils are deep skin infections that twitch in hair follicles. Boils are firm, red tender bumps that development until pus accumulates beneath the skin. Impetigo causes oozing sores.

Impetigo

Impetigo is a skin infection, affected by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, or both, that leads to the development of scabby, yellow-crusted sores and, sometimes, small blisters bursting with yellow fluid. Ecthyma is a form of impetigo that causes sores profounder in the skin. It upsets mostly children. Impetigo can happen anywhere on the body but most normally occurs on the face, arms, and legs. [4] Impetigo in neonates is highly contagious and needs prompt management. Impetigo is itchy and faintly painful. The itching frequently leads to extensive scratching, predominantly in children, which aids to spread the infection.

Impetigo is very contagious—both to other areas of the person’s individual skin and to further persons. Impetigo usually causes clusters of small blisters that split and develop a honey-colored crust above the sores. Bullous impetigo is similar except that the sores usually enlarge quickly to form larger blisters. The blisters rupture and bare larger bases, which become enclosed with honey-colored varnish or crust.

Sign & Symptoms:

Mild itching and soreness followed by outburst of small vesicles and pustules that rupture and crust. Mostly develops in body folds that are subject to friction.