Chart — Med-Surg
Skin Infection Types Comparison Chart
Bacterial, viral, and fungal skin infections look different, are treated differently, and call for different precautions. This is the at-a-glance sort — what it looks like, what causes it, and what stops it.
Educational use only. Antibiotic/antiviral/antifungal selection and precaution levels follow provider orders and facility policy. Many skin findings mimic one another — correlate with the full picture. This material supports nursing education and exam review. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for clinical judgment, institutional policy, or medical direction. Always follow facility protocols and current provider orders.
Three Categories Side by Side
| Type | Examples | Hallmark look | Treatment | Precautions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacterial | Cellulitis, erysipelas, impetigo, folliculitis, MRSA abscess | Warm, red, swollen, tender; impetigo = honey crust; abscess = fluctuant | Antibiotics (cover MRSA as indicated); I&D for abscess | Contact precautions for draining/MRSA wounds |
| Viral | Herpes simplex (cold sores), herpes zoster (shingles), warts (HPV), molluscum | Grouped vesicles; zoster = dermatomal, unilateral; warts = rough papules | Antivirals (acyclovir/valacyclovir) for HSV/VZV; wart therapies | Standard (localized zoster) → airborne+contact (disseminated/immunocompromised zoster, varicella) |
| Fungal | Tinea (corporis/pedis/cruris/capitis), candidiasis | Annular scaly patch with central clearing (tinea); red satellite lesions in folds (candida) | Topical/oral antifungals; keep skin dry | Standard; contagious by contact (tinea) |
Exam Traps
- ✦Honey-colored crust = impetigo (bacterial); dermatomal unilateral vesicles = zoster (viral).
- ✦Annular scaly patch with central clearing = tinea (fungal) — not a worm ('ringworm' is a misnomer).
- ✦Localized zoster in an immunocompetent patient = standard precautions + cover lesions; disseminated/immunocompromised = airborne + contact.
- ✦Antibiotics don't treat viral or fungal infections — match the agent to the cause.
- ✦A fluctuant bacterial pocket = abscess → needs incision and drainage.
Related Resources
Standards & sources
Fact-checked Jun 21, 2026This page is written to align with Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) · Current medical-surgical nursing standards. It is an educational summary, not a citation of any single document — always verify specific doses, values, and protocols against current guidelines and your facility policy. How we source content →