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Types of Contagious Skin Diseases | Tampa | St. Pete | Brandon | LutzIt is never a sagacious idea to ignore any skin condition, and particularly when it is a contagious skin disease. An experienced dermatology treatment provider can diagnose and resolve the condition effectively.

Suncoast Skin Solutions, led by board certified dermatologist Dr. Christopher Ewanowski, provides cutting-edge skin care treatments to patients in Tampa, Brandon, Lutz, Seminole, Riverview, Brooksville, Winter Haven, Daytona Beach, Largo, St. Petersburg, Ocala, Sarasota, Palm Harbor, Central Florida, Florida, and surrounding communities.

 

Cold Sores

A cold sore refers to a small blister or group of blisters that typically develop on the lip or around the mouth. The herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes cold sores. Cold sores are usually not serious, and they tend to resolve within two weeks in healthy people.

However, if a person has a cold sore, they can spread the virus to others who do not have the virus. Even people being treated for cold sores can still spread the virus to others. The patient is contagious until all sores have scabbed over.

 

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD), which is caused by the herpes simplex virus. Any sexually active person can catch this virus. Many individuals who catch the virus never know as they do not develop symptoms. They do not develop painful sores.

If a person has genital sores and their partner does not, they should not have sex while they have sores. They should also refrain from sexual activity for a few days after the sores clear.

When a person has herpes sores, they can easily infect their partner. The virus can also be passed via anal, oral, or vaginal sex.

 

Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) refers to a contagious condition caused by a virus. One of several viruses can cause the disease, but the signs are typically the same:

  • Mouth sores
  • An itchy rash on the feet, hands or both

A person can catch HFMD from close contact with an individual who has the condition. This disease can also be caught by touching something, such as a doorknob or toy, contaminated with a virus that causes this condition.

 

Herpes Simplex

Herpes simplex is a common viral infection. If a person has ever had a fever blister or a cold sore, they are affected by the herpes simplex virus. A majority of cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

Cold sores caused by HSV-1 are also called:

  • Oral herpes.
  • Herpes simplex labialis.
  • Mouth herpes.

 

Nail Fungus

It is easy to catch a fungal nail infection. In case a person has a fungal infection on their foot, the fungus can spread to one or more of the nails. This occurs quite commonly. They can also catch a fungal nail infection in a warm, moist place such as a locker room or deck.

 

Ringworm

The name “ringworm” likely comes from the rash that many individuals see. The rash often manifests on the skin in a ring-shaped pattern with an elevated, scaly border that snakes it ay around the edge, similar to a worm.

Ringworm is a common condition, and a person has already had it if they have had:

  • Jock itch
  • Athlete’s foot
  • Scalp ringworm

 

Warts

Warts are non-cancerous skin growths that appear when a virus affects the uppermost skin layer. Viruses that cause warts are known as human papillomavirus (HPV). A person is more likely to get one of these viruses if they damage or cut their skin in some manner.  

The viruses responsible for warts are contagious. Warts can spread by contact with the wart or something that has been in contact with the wart.

Dr. Ewanowski’s dermatology practice and medical spa receives patients from Tampa, Brandon, Lutz, Seminole, Riverview, Brooksville, Winter Haven, Daytona Beach, Largo, St. Petersburg, Ocala, Sarasota, Palm Harbor, Central Florida, Florida, and nearby areas for safe and proven skin care procedures.

SunCoast Skin Solutions Dermatology offices are located in Tampa / Hillsborough, St. Petersburg / Pinellas County, Brandon, Lutz (2 locations), Winter Haven, Largo, Riverview, Brooksville, Ocala, Largo at Bardmoor, Daytona Beach, Sarasota, and Palm Harbor, Florida. Contact us at 1-844-786-3376 or click here.