Infected eczema is a skin condition that is not uncommon in people whose eczema leads to aggravated, open sores. It’s important to know the signs of infected eczema so it can be treated before leading to other complications.
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a type of skin inflammation that can cause a variety of symptoms, from an itchy red rash to patchy sores.
Open sores — especially from scratching eczema — can allow viruses, bacteria, and fungi to enter the skin. This can result in an infection.
Infected eczema is common in people who have frequent sores and open wounds associated with their condition. However, not all people with eczema will experience infections.
It’s important to learn the signs of infected eczema so you can seek the appropriate treatment. Sometimes the infection warrants treatment from a doctor to prevent further complications.
Signs of eczema that’s infected can include:
- severe itchiness
- new burning sensations
- blistered skin
- fluid drainage
- white or yellow pus
A severe infection can also cause fever and chills, as well as other symptoms that mimic the flu.
You should always see a doctor if you have symptoms of a skin infection.
At your appointment, they’ll look at your skin and may take a sample to determine the type of infection you have. You’ll then be prescribed the proper type of medication based on the source of your infection.
Your doctor can also offer treatments for the underlying eczema flare that’s contributed to the infection. They’ll discuss prescription methods such as steroids for inflammation, as well as lifestyle measures.
The most common bacteria that can infect skin with eczema is Staphylococcus aureus (Staph. aureus)
This is a type of bacteria that lives on your skin, where it doesn’t usually cause an infection. However, infection can occur when bacteria enter wounds from eczema or broken skin within your rashes.
Having eczema doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get a staph infection, but it does make you more prone to bacterial skin infections. So, it’s important to be aware of the signs of staph infection in case the bacteria enter broken skin.
Symptoms include:
- increased redness or darker than your skin, depending on your skin tone
- raised skin that looks like boils
- clear to yellow-colored drainage
- increased itchiness
- pain at the site of the infection
- skin warm to the touch
Another bacteria that
There are a number of viruses that can cause a skin infection, especially if you have eczema. These include:
Herpes simplex
Herpes simplex usually causes cold sores but can develop into eczema herpeticum. Children, young adults, and non-white people are at a greater risk of hospitalization from this condition.
Symptoms of eczema herpeticum include itchy and painful blisters that may appear red, purple, or black and ooze pus. You may also have a fever and your lymph glands may swell.
Enterovirus
When enterovirus infects eczema, it can cause a condition called eczema coxsackium, which is a less common type of hand, foot, and mouth disease.
It presents with fluid-filled lesions that turn into ulcers and then scab over. This condition mainly affects children.
Poxvirus
This poxvirus belongs to the Molluscipoxvirus family of viruses and can cause molluscum contagiosum. People with eczema are at a higher risk of this kind of infection.
That said, this infection usually causes small, harmless skin bumps. These only become a problem if you scratch them and introduce a secondary bacterial infection.
The two main fungal infections that can affect eczema are candida and ringworm.
The symptoms may be difficult to distinguish from the eczema itself and may include rashes, scaling, lesions or pustules, and soreness or itchiness.
Ringworm is more recognizable because of the ring-shaped affected skin.
The way you treat infected eczema depends on whether it was caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungi. Viral infections may be treated with antiviral medications or allowed to heal themselves.
Antibiotics are used in bacterial infections. Mild bacterial-infected eczema is treated with a topical antibiotic first. A steroid cream may also be used to reduce inflammation.
Oral antibiotics are reserved for more severe cases of infected eczema. They’re also used for infections that have spread to other parts of your body.
A fungal infection may also be treated with steroids. It’s treated with topical antifungal creams as well.
Some people prefer using natural treatments in addition to prescription medications. This is due to the long-term side effects of steroids, such as thinning skin.
You may consider the following natural treatments, as well as the pros and cons of each:
- rosemary extract for Staph. aureus
- herbal remedies for eczema flares like aloe vera, chamomile, and others
probiotics , to offset gastrointestinal side effects from antibiotics- natural soaps and creams with emollients to decrease skin inflammation
Be aware that natural treatments for eczema and skin infections haven’t been widely studied for safety or efficacy.
Make sure you discuss all these options with your doctor first before trying them out.
Home treatments are another option for infected eczema, but they’re often used in conjunction with other therapies. Talk with your doctor about the following home remedies:
- oatmeal baths
- Epsom salt baths
- emollient wraps (which may also contain calamine lotion or coal tar)
Infected eczema may lead to the following complications:
- worsening eczema symptoms
- longer healing times for eczema because the infection must be treated first before the eczema flare can heal
- resistance to topical steroids after frequent use
- growth problems in children from topical steroids
Other complications require immediate medical care. A staph infection that has progressed can cause blood poisoning.
You may need to go to the hospital if you start experiencing:
- fever
- chills
- low energy
- excessive fatigue
Infants, young children, and older adults are the
The outlook for infected eczema depends on the severity and type of infection. You should notice an improvement in your symptoms several days after starting treatment.
Treating the infection doesn’t mean you won’t be at risk for future bouts of infected eczema.
Take preventive measures so you can stop eczema flares from getting infected. Managing eczema flare-ups can also go a long way in preventing related infections.
During an eczema flare, it’s important to keep your skin as healthy as possible to avoid infection.
Avoid scratching your skin as best as you can. Scratching breaks your skin and increases your risk of infection.
It’s also important to keep the rashes moisturized for extra protection.
Topical immunomodulators and oral steroids may help decrease inflammation. Your dermatologist may also suggest ultraviolet light therapy.
Antihistamines such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can help alleviate itching.
It can also help to identify possible eczema triggers and avoid them. Possibilities include:
- certain foods you may be sensitive to, such as nuts and dairy products
- pollen and other airborne allergens
- animal dander
- synthetic or itchy fabrics
- fragrances and dyes, especially in soaps and other hygiene products
- hormone fluctuations
- heat
- sweating
- stress
An infection from Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, or other bacteria is just one cause of infected eczema. Others include fungal infections (especially from Candida) and viral infections.
Eczema itself isn’t contagious, and most infected cases usually aren’t either. However, some of the causes of the infection may be contagious to people who have eczema, such as exposure to herpes simplex.
If you have eczema with frequently broken skin, it’s important to care for it appropriately in order to protect it from infection.