7 skin infections in obese people

Obese individuals are prone to skin conditions such as stretch marks, dermatitis, acanthosis nigricans, and may also face inflammatory and ulcerative diseases caused by harmful bacteria.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Head of the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery at Military Central Hospital 108, explains that obesity alters skin structure due to sudden weight gain, forcing the skin to "struggle" to adapt to the body's changes. Obesity leads to changes in skin characteristics. In some cases, the skin is also weakened. Skin damage caused by obesity, if not addressed early, carries a high risk of infection and melanoma.

The cause of skin infections in obese individuals is often increased sweating due to the large surface area of ​​skin folds and thick subcutaneous fat tissue. This moist environment is conducive to skin infections, localized inflammation, intertrigo, bacterial infections, Candida infections, and filamentous fungi. At the same time, body odor is more unpleasant.

According to Associate Professor Tuan, the following are 7 common skin infections in obese individuals, including 4 staphylococcal skin infections causing pyoderma and 3 streptococcal infections.

Staphylococcal skin infection causing pyoderma

- Superficial folliculitis

The disease progresses as a superficial inflammatory lesion at the opening of the hair follicle. Initially, the affected hair follicle is slightly swollen and red, and feels painful. Small pustules then form, surrounded by a narrow inflammatory halo. After a few days, the pustules dry up, leaving a dark brown scab. Eventually, the scab peels off without leaving a scar.

- Deep folliculitis

Deep folliculitis manifests as clusters of swelling around the hair follicles, with pus-filled pimples surrounding the pores. These pimples may be scattered or clustered, red, firm, and rough, and will release pus when squeezed. Deep folliculitis commonly occurs on the chin, nape of the neck, and scalp, and often progresses persistently or recurs frequently.

- Boils

Boils are also a type of folliculitis. If the boils are large and numerous, the patient may experience fever and swelling and pain in nearby lymph nodes. Boils in the ear canal are often very painful, and are commonly known as "ear boils." Boils around the mouth, also called beard boils, are very dangerous as they can cause venous thrombosis and sepsis, easily leading to death.

Boils on the nape of the neck, back, and buttocks caused by Staphylococcus aureus are highly toxic and commonly occur in the elderly, frail, alcoholics, diabetics, and those with poor diets. When they rupture, the pus has many small holes like a honeycomb, which can cause complications such as sepsis and death.

- Boils

This is also a condition of folliculitis, accompanied by inflammation of the sweat glands and sebaceous glands in the armpit, forming a deep pus pocket in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. People with axillary boils have raised, lumpy lesions, usually in the armpit. Initially, the boil is hard, then gradually softens and ruptures, releasing pus. Patients may have one or more axillary boils in a single armpit. The disease often progresses persistently and recurs frequently, especially in the summer.

Skin infection causing pyoderma due to streptococcal bacteria:

- Suddenly

In impetigo, streptococci often coexist with staphylococci, and obese children are more susceptible than adults. The disease commonly affects the head, neck, face, and limbs, spreading from there to other areas. It is highly contagious, hence the name "contagious impetigo." The lesions begin as small, round blisters with a red, inflamed halo. Initially, the fluid is clear, gradually turning into cloudy pus. The blister and pus stages are very short, followed by the formation of a yellow crust. Beneath the crust is a shallow, red, non-raised erosion.

Children with impetigo on the scalp develop patches of dark yellow, sticky scabs, with red, weeping, eroded skin beneath the scabs. The lesions may be scattered throughout the body, possibly accompanied by fever and complications such as acute glomerulonephritis, and edema of the lower legs and eyelids due to glomerulonephritis.

- Ecthyma (ulcers)

This is a form of impetigo that spreads deep into the dermis, usually in the lower extremities, especially those with varicose veins. The disease is common in patients with poor hygiene, diabetes, or alcoholism.

Initially, impetigo appears as a blister or abscess, which then ruptures, forming a thick, dark yellow or brownish-black scab. Some scabs are raised in multiple layers, resembling snail shells. Removing the scab leaves a pale, oozing ulcer with little tissue growth, and the surrounding skin is purplish-blue and slow to heal. If the impetigo is severe and persists for a long time, it can become a deep ulcer with a clear, oval boundary. The surrounding skin is fibrotic, pale, and the condition is very persistent.

- Intertrigo (diaper rash)

Intertrigo is a common condition in chubby children or obese individuals who sweat a lot. Lesions are frequently found in the neck folds, groin, buttocks, behind the ears, navel, and other skin creases. Patients with intertrigo will have red, oozing skin folds with a thin outer skin border, ulcerated and oozing fluid or pus, causing intense pain and burning.

According to Associate Professor Tuan, to avoid skin infections, it is first necessary to identify the root cause of the condition. When symptoms appear, it is necessary to go to a medical facility for examination to determine the disease and prevent complications (glomerulonephritis, sepsis, etc.). Do not self-medicate with antibiotics, ointments, plasters, or herbal remedies. Do not scratch the inflamed skin area, and do not squeeze or pop inflamed pimples that have not yet formed pus.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid rapid weight gain. Have regular health checkups to detect and treat any medical conditions that may contribute to weight gain. Those who are obese should work with a doctor for the most effective treatment.

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