USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN THE TREATMENT OF SKIN AND SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS

The skin is a barrier between the outside world and the inside of the body. It is valid for the first protection of the organism from cold, heat, water loss and radiation. Preserving the structure and function of the skin is of great importance, because it is the largest human organ that is essential for general health and well-being. The type and number of bacteria on human skin are influenced by environmental factors and genetic predisposition. What the human microflora will be depends on skin moisture, the amount of lipids, the adhesion of pathogens to the epithelium, etc. Microorganisms that are normal inhabitants of the skin flora can, under certain conditions, become pathogenic and cause damage to the organism. Such microorganisms are called opportunistic. In addition, some pathogenic / opportunistic bacteria that are normal inhabitants of the skin do not cause disease if they are present on the surface of the skin, however, if the skin is injured and penetrates deeper tissues, the disease can develop. In general, the flora of the skin differs in certain parts (intertriginous areas, seborrheic areas, areas exposed to the environment). Of great importance in changing the flora of the skin is its aging and the use of antibiotics, which can also significantly change the composition of bacteria on the surface of the skin. In order to protect itself from microorganisms from the external environment, the skin forms a protective barrier. The acidic surface of the skin (pH 5.0) and fatty acids successfully prevent the growth of most pathogenic bacteria. However, even very small skin lesions allow pathogens to penetrate deeper layers of the epidermis more easily. Some bacterial species, members of the physiological microflora of the skin, produce antimicrobial substances (cyclic peptides), and thus fight for nutrients or for cellular receptors with pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria. The development of infections can be influenced by many factors, including immune status, genetic factors, age, diet and climatic factors. The skin is a barrier that limits the growth and invasion of the host by pathogenic microorganisms. Since the skin flora differs in certain parts of the body, the most favorable parts for bacterial growth and the appearance of infections are around natural openings and in intertriginous areas (skin folds, eg: underarms, groin area, buttocks, under breasts in women, between fingers, etc. .). The number of bacteria on the skin decreases with the depth of the stratum corneum. The procedure for treating bacterial skin infections is performed on the basis of general and specific principles. Often combined with antibiotics, they also apply antiseptics (they act both physically and chemically on the cell wall or on the denaturation of proteins). The use of any antibiotic to treat a skin infection is preceded by an antibiogram procedure. If possible, a less toxic antibiotic is always chosen, and the possibility of developing resistance to it is taken into account. This ensures fast and effective drug action and wound healing, while avoiding antibiotic resistance