Skin infections
Skin infections, correctly identified and cleared.
Bacterial, viral and fungal skin infections can look remarkably alike, and each requires a different treatment. Dr Claudia Moloabi diagnoses the specific organism responsible before treatment begins, rather than treating on suspicion alone.
Understanding skin infections
One rash, several possible causes.
Skin infections fall into three broad categories: bacterial (such as impetigo, cellulitis and folliculitis), viral (such as cold sores, warts and molluscum contagiosum) and fungal (covered in detail on our dedicated fungal infections page). Each has a different cause, a different course, and a different treatment — and inflammatory conditions like eczema and psoriasis can mimic all three.
Bacterial infections often present with redness, warmth, swelling and sometimes pus or crusting, and can progress quickly if untreated — particularly cellulitis, which can become a medical emergency. Viral skin infections range from the mild and self-limiting to those that benefit from active treatment to reduce spread and discomfort.
Because the wrong treatment can allow an infection to worsen or spread, accurate diagnosis — sometimes supported by a swab or culture — comes before any prescription.
Skin infections we assess and treat
- Impetigo
- Cellulitis and erysipelas
- Folliculitis and boils (furuncles)
- Cold sores (herpes simplex)
- Shingles (herpes zoster)
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Viral warts (see our dedicated warts page)
- Secondary infection of eczema or other skin disease
What we treat
Skin infections we see regularly.
From a single cold sore to a spreading cellulitis — each is assessed with the urgency it needs.
01
Bacterial infections
Impetigo, cellulitis, folliculitis and boils — treated with the right antibiotic at the right dose, with urgent referral where a spreading infection warrants it.
02
Viral infections
Cold sores, shingles and molluscum contagiosum, each with its own treatment approach and, where relevant, guidance on reducing spread to others.
03
Secondary infection
Broken skin from eczema, scratching or wounds is vulnerable to infection, which can mask or worsen the underlying condition if not identified separately.
04
Recurrent infections
Repeated skin infections can point to an underlying trigger — from a carrier site for bacteria to an unaddressed skin barrier problem — worth investigating properly.
Your treatment plan
Confirm the cause. Treat it properly.
Skin infections respond fastest when the right treatment is chosen from the start.
Clinical assessment
Examination of the affected area, its extent, and any signs of systemic involvement such as fever or spreading redness.
Confirm the cause
Where the organism isn't clinically obvious, a swab or culture identifies whether the infection is bacterial, viral or fungal — and which specific one.
Targeted treatment
Topical or oral antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals matched to the confirmed cause — not a broad-spectrum guess.
Address the trigger
Where infections recur, we look for the underlying reason — from skin barrier disease to a bacterial carrier site — to prevent it happening again.
Review
Follow-up confirms the infection has fully cleared, particularly important where a delayed or incomplete response could signal the wrong diagnosis.
Skin infection questions
Skin infections, answered.
Have a question that isn't covered here? Contact the practice directly.
How do I know if a rash is infected?
Signs suggesting infection include increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus or crusting, spreading beyond the original area, and pain out of proportion to appearance. Fever or feeling generally unwell alongside a skin infection warrants prompt assessment, as some bacterial infections can progress quickly.
Is cellulitis an emergency?
Cellulitis can range from mild to serious. Rapidly spreading redness, significant pain, fever, or infection near the eyes or in someone with a weakened immune system all warrant urgent assessment. If you're concerned about how quickly a skin infection is spreading, seek same-day medical attention rather than waiting.
Are viral skin infections contagious?
Many are. Cold sores, shingles (to those who haven't had chickenpox), and molluscum contagiosum can all spread through direct contact. Your treatment plan will include practical guidance on reducing the risk of spreading an infection to others while you're contagious.
Why do I keep getting the same skin infection?
Recurrent infections — recurrent boils, for example — often have an identifiable cause, such as a bacterial carrier site in the nose, an underlying skin condition, or a metabolic factor. Investigating the pattern, rather than treating each episode in isolation, is the most effective way to break the cycle.