Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medications, and diseases interfere with the ability to heal or fight infection. The risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms may be higher if any of the following are present. Be sure to tell your health professional.

Conditions

• Premature birth
• A known sensitivity to a substance such as soap or food
• An adult that is bed-bound, chair-bound, or cannot fully move for any reason
• Mental retardation or another developmental delay
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Obesity

Lifestyle choices

• Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
• Drug abuse or withdrawal

Medications

• Antibiotics, such as penicillin, amoxicillin, or cefaclor
• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone or Hexadrol
• Medications to prevent organ transplant rejection
• Medications used to treat cancer (chemotherapy)
• Radiation therapy

Diseases

• Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia or idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP)
• Cancer
• Chronic skin conditions, such as eczema (atopic dermatitis), psoriasis, or seborrhea
• Diabetes
• Hirschsprung's disease
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease