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Riley Children's Health

Skin Infections

Skin Infections
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Skin infections are a common childhood condition. An infection of the skin can happen anywhere on the body, including in or around the mouth. Bacteria, viruses, fungus and yeast can all cause skin infections.

Symptoms of skin infections depend on the specific type of condition. They can include:

  • Red, itchy skin
  • Rashes
  • Inflammation and swelling
  • Fever
  • Painful rashes and raised bumps

There are many different types of skin infections, including:

  • Bacterial skin infections. Bacterial skin infections include:
    • Cellulitis. This infects surface skin and underlying tissues in any area of the body. It often starts in a cut or scratch.
    • Impetigo. This produces blisters or scaling on the face, neck, hands and diaper area in children.
    • Paronychia. This is a bacterial infection of the skin surrounding a fingernail.
  • Fungal skin infections. Fungal skin infections include:
    • Paronychia. This is a fungal infection of the skin surrounding a fingernail.
    • Tinea infections. These infections are caused by dermatophytes (mold-like fungi) that live on dead tissues of the skin, nails, hair and scalp. Tinea grows in warm, moist environments that can occur when children sweat or stay wet for extended periods of time. Tinea infections include:
      • Athlete’s foot. This affects the soles of the feet, the skin between the toes and the toenails.
      • Jock itch. This infects the skin of the groin and upper thighs.
      • Ringworm. This can infect the skin anywhere on the body, nails and scalp. The rash often has a circular appearance.
  • Viral skin infections. Viral skin infections include:
    • Herpes. This is a virus that causes sores around the mouth, nose and face.
    • Molluscum contagiosum. This is a contagious, wart-like skin infection that usually goes away on its own but sometimes requires treatment.
    • Warts. Warts are small rough bumps caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
  • Yeast skin infections. Types of yeast infection include:
    • Diaper rash. This occurs as red raised bumps on the buttocks and genitalia of children who wear diapers.
    • Paronychia. This is a yeast infection of the skin around a fingernail.
    • Thrush. This is a candida infection of the mouth and throat.
  • Erythema multiforme. This is a bull’s-eye shaped rash that happens as a reaction to an infection. It can be bacterial, fungal, viral or yeast in nature.

Diagnosis of Skin Infections

If your child shows signs of a skin infection, a pediatric dermatologist can perform the following exams to make a diagnosis:

  • Physical exam. The doctor will examine your child’s body and any apparent rashes or skin irritations.
  • Skin culture. A cotton swab is used to collect a sample from an open skin rash or sore. The sample is then sent to a lab where the material is placed in a culture dish to see if bacteria, fungus or viruses grow. This identifies the specific germ causing the skin infection.
  • Biopsy. A sample of skin from the affected area is removed

Treatments

Treatments

Medicines are often prescribed to treat skin infections. Types of medicines used to treat skin infections include:

  • Antifungal medicines. These treatments can be oral medicines or topical creams that fight fungal infections.
  • Antibiotics. This medicine fights bacterial infections and comes in oral and topical forms.
  • Antiviral medicines. These medicines treat the viruses that cause infections such as molluscum contagiosum and herpes.

Most skin infections respond well to medicines and clear up within a few weeks.

Key Points to Remember

Key Points to Remember

  • Skin infections are a common childhood condition.
  • Bacteria, fungus, viruses and yeast can all cause skin infections.
  • Rashes are a symptom of many skin infections.
  • Medicines are available to treat many skin infections.
  • Most skin infections clear up within a few weeks.

Support Services & Resources

Support Services & Resources

We offer a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.

Learn More About Riley Support Services

MedlinePlus

Discover more information about fungal infections through this online resource provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

American Academy of Family Physicians

The American Academy of Family Physicians provides in-depth information about common bacterial skin infections on its website.

American Academy of Dermatology

Read more about the herpes simplex virus on the American Academy of Dermatology website.

MedlinePlus (Erythema Multiforme)

This U.S. National Library of Medicine website shares information on the causes, symptoms and treatment of erythema multiforme.

MedlinePlus (Candida Infection)

Read more about candida (yeast) infection of the skin on this website provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.


Locations

Locations

Locations

In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.

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Departments Treating This Condition

Departments Treating This Condition

  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases
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Designated as Best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Ranked in 10 Specialties in 2023-24

©2025 Riley Hospital for Children at
Indiana University Health
Find adult services at iuhealth.org


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