Our adult and pediatric infectious disease specialists have national recognition for their expertise in treating all types of infectious diseases.

Experts at our Infectious Diseases Clinic diagnose and treat less serious skin and soft tissue infections. We also have an outpatient infusion center for patients with infections who need IV antibiotics.

Our team’s active participation in infectious disease clinical research is advancing the prevention and care of skin and soft tissue infections.

Group A Streptococcus (group A strep) and Staphylococcus aureus (staph) cause most cases of cellulitis. These bacteria enter your skin through an opening, causing infections in deeper skin layers. Your skin may get red, swollen and feel painful. You may also have blisters, fever, and chills which may require more aggressive therapy. Antibiotics treat cellulitis.

This common bacterial infection starts in your hair follicles. The itchy, sometimes painful rash can appear anywhere you have hair. Staphylococcus aureus (staph) is the most common cause. The folliculitis rash often improves with at-home treatments like warm compresses. Some people need antibiotics.

This rare but severe bacterial infection occurs when aggressive bacteria get into deep tissue layers through a wound or other skin opening. The bacteria then rapidly spread and destroy tissue which surrounds blood vessels, muscles, nerves and fat. Most people need antibiotics and surgery to remove the dead tissue. Necrotizing fasciitis is sometimes referred to as “flesh-eating disease”. Necrotizing fasciitis requires emergency medical attention and can be fatal.

These are most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus (staph) which can cause pockets filled with pus to form below your skin’s surface. This may lead to swollen, red bumps that are often painful. Skin abscesses include boils (furuncles) and clusters of boils called carbuncles. Most abscesses improve over time. Your doctor may drain the pus and prescribe antibiotics for a large abscess.

Staphylococcus aureus (staph) are bacteria that may naturally live in your nose and on your skin. Sometimes the bacteria can enter deeper into your body, causing a staph infection. MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a staph infection that doesn’t respond to Methicillin and other commonly used antibiotics. Staph infections are usually on the skin, but can sometimes affect your blood, bones, lungs, heart and other parts of your body.

Older people, especially those who spend a lot of time in bed or move less, are more likely to get bedsores. These wounds can allow bacteria into the skin.

Chronic swelling (edema) in your upper or lower limbs can stretch your skin, causing tiny tears that bacteria can move into.

People with eczema, athlete’s foot or diabetes-related skin problems are more at risk for skin infections. Rash-inducing viral infections like chickenpox also increase your risk.

Breaks in the skin – from wounds, needles, surgery and even bug bites – can allow bacteria to enter the skin.

Being overweight or obese puts you at risk. Friction from skin folds, sweating and stretched skin can tear the skin.

A weak immune system has a harder time fighting off infection-causing bacteria. Autoimmune diseases, cancer treatments or other conditions can weaken your immune system.