A bacterial skin infection develops when bacteria, often Staphylococcus or Streptococcus, enter through a cut, scrape, or wound, or through a weakened skin barrier. Common signs include redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, crusting, drainage, or pus-filled bumps, although symptoms differ by infection type.
A bacterial skin infection may appear as cellulitis in the deeper tissue, impetigo with honey-colored crusts, folliculitis around hair follicles, or a boil or abscess filled with pus. Treatment may involve topical or oral antibiotics, professional drainage, or in-person testing based on the location, severity, and suspected bacteria.