Menu Healthy Lifestyle Diseases & Conditions First Aid Symptoms Tests & Procedures Videos Definitions FAQs Skin infectionsUpdated: 2017-06-13OverviewViruses cause warts. Fungi cause athlete's foot and ringworm. Parasites cause lice and scabies. Bacteria cause cellulitis, impetigo, and many other skin lesions. SymptomsSymptoms may include itchiness, redness, and pain. Some infections cause blisters that drain pus or fluid. TreatmentsSome skin infections can be life-threatening. Treatments include over-the-counter creams and antibiotics, depending on the cause. © 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research(MFMER). All rights reserved. Terms of Use