Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection: Be Careful If You Have These Symptoms

Bacteria are present everywhere in daily life. In healthy people, bacterial infections are less likely to cause illness, but if the body has a wound or the immune system is weakened, bacteria can easily enter and cause disease. Kitchens and bathrooms are humid environments, so germs can easily live there, and a representative example is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa tends to infect damaged skin tissue easily, so it often appears in certain occupations and in patients with weakened immunity, and caution is needed.

Easy to Confuse with Athlete’s Foot

Pseudomonas aeruginosa can often occur around the skin, especially in humid areas where the skin folds easily, such as the armpits or anus, due to sweat and moisture. Germs can also enter under the nails. People who work with water often, such as cooks, homemakers, and hairdressers, as well as those in construction and healthcare, are more likely to have damp hands and frequent nail lifting, which can lead to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

When Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection progresses, a characteristic sign is that the nail color changes and becomes cracked. In such cases, it is easy to confuse it with athlete’s foot. However, changes caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa may make the nail appear greenish and may not be accompanied by itching. The skin between the fingers can also turn greenish.

If You Have Symptoms After Going to a Pool or Public Bath

Some people enjoy water activities or visiting public baths. In these public facilities, because many people use them, bacterial infections can occur easily. Otitis externa and folliculitis are also types of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. The skin around and inside the ear swells, discharge appears, or the skin becomes itchy and papules or pustules develop.

People with chronic diseases need to be especially careful because symptoms can spread more quickly and may even lead to necrosis. For this reason, people with weakened immunity should reduce how often they use such facilities and should wipe their bodies more carefully after use.

Treatment for Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Antibiotic treatment is needed to eliminate the bacteria. If left untreated, the bacteria can spread to surrounding areas, symptoms can worsen, and if it occurs on a nail, there is a risk that the nail may fall off. Medication may be taken, or ointment may be applied in combination. If the skin tissue has become necrotic, additional procedures may also be necessary. A diagnosis can be made from clinical findings, but in some cases a bacterial culture test may be performed.

Because many people are not familiar with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, some may think it is simply hives or athlete’s foot and apply ointment on their own. Improper management can instead broaden the scope of treatment needed. Therefore, if unusual symptoms appear, it is advisable to visit a dermatologist.

Efforts for Prevention

Preventing Pseudomonas aeruginosa requires hygiene management and strengthening immunity. It does not commonly appear in the general population, but elderly people, the frail, and young children with weak immunity are more easily infected, so reactions occur more readily. People who have wounds severe enough to break the skin need careful care until the wound heals to reduce additional bacterial infection problems, and people who usually work in humid environments should also follow good disinfection and personal hygiene practices as a prevention method.