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Erysipelas is a type of skin infection (cellulitis).
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsErysipelas is usually caused by group A Streptococcusbacteria. The condition may affect both children and adults.
Risk factors include:
- A cut in the skin
- Problems with drainage through the veins or lymph system
- Skin sores (ulcers)
In the past, the face was the most common site of infection. Now it accounts for only about 20% of cases. The legs are affected in up to 80% of cases.
Symptoms- Blisters
- Fever, shaking, and chills
- Painful, very red, swollen, and warm skin underneath the sore (lesion)
- Skin lesion with a raised border
- Sores (erysipelas lesions) on the cheeks and bridge of the nose
Erysipelas is diagnosed based on how the skin looks. A biopsy of the skin is usually not needed.
TreatmentAntibiotics such as penicillin are used to eliminate the infection. In severe cases, antibiotics may need to be given through an IV (intravenous line).
Those who have repeated episodes of erysipelas may need long-term antibiotics.
Expectations (prognosis)With treatment, the outcome is good. It may take a few weeks for the skin to return to normal. Peeling is common.
ComplicationsIn some patients, the bacteria may travel to the blood. This results in a condition called bacteremia. The infection may spread to the heart valves, joints, and bones.
Other complications include:
- Return of infection
- Septic shock
Call your health care provider if you have a skin sore (lesion) that looks like erysipelas.
PreventionKeep your skin healthy by avoiding dry skin and preventing cuts and scrapes. This may reduce the risk for erysipelas.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoErysipelas is a type of skin infection (cellulitis).
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsErysipelas is usually caused by group A Streptococcusbacteria. The condition may affect both children and adults.
Risk factors include:
- A cut in the skin
- Problems with drainage through the veins or lymph system
- Skin sores (ulcers)
In the past, the face was the most common site of infection. Now it accounts for only about 20% of cases. The legs are affected in up to 80% of cases.
Symptoms- Blisters
- Fever, shaking, and chills
- Painful, very red, swollen, and warm skin underneath the sore (lesion)
- Skin lesion with a raised border
- Sores (erysipelas lesions) on the cheeks and bridge of the nose
Erysipelas is diagnosed based on how the skin looks. A biopsy of the skin is usually not needed.
TreatmentAntibiotics such as penicillin are used to eliminate the infection. In severe cases, antibiotics may need to be given through an IV (intravenous line).
Those who have repeated episodes of erysipelas may need long-term antibiotics.
Expectations (prognosis)With treatment, the outcome is good. It may take a few weeks for the skin to return to normal. Peeling is common.
ComplicationsIn some patients, the bacteria may travel to the blood. This results in a condition called bacteremia. The infection may spread to the heart valves, joints, and bones.
Other complications include:
- Return of infection
- Septic shock
Call your health care provider if you have a skin sore (lesion) that looks like erysipelas.
PreventionKeep your skin healthy by avoiding dry skin and preventing cuts and scrapes. This may reduce the risk for erysipelas.
ReferencesHabif TP. Bacterial infections. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 9.
Bisno AL, Stevens DL. Streptococcus pyogenes. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 198.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 10/04/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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History for erysipelas during civil war?
Civil War doctors would've probably given a victim of erysipelas calomel.
How is rabies different from cholera anthrax and swine erysipelas?
Cholera, anthrax, and swine erysipelas are all bacterial infections. Rabies is a viral infection.
What is the prognosis for a patient with erysipelas?
With prompt treatment, the prognosis from erysipelas is excellent. Delay of treatment, however, increases the chance for bacteremia and the potential for death from overwhelming sepsis. This is particularly true of people with.
How is erysipelas diagnosed?
The rash of erysipelas is very characteristic, raising the practitioner's suspicion towards that diagnosis, especially when coupled with a history of recent strep infection. Attempts to culture (grow) the bacteria from a sample.
When did Blaine Irish die?
Blaine Irish died in 27 October 1923 of erysipelas.
Does Saint Anthony's Fire cause yeast infections?
Erysipelas, also known as St. Anthony's Fire, is an intensely red bacterial infection that occurs on the face and lower extremities. I can't see anywhere that it causes fungal infections but ppl who has a fungal infection, yeast, has an increased risk to get Erysipelas.
How did john Stuart mill die?
John Stuart Mill died of erysipelas, a bacterial infection, in Avignon, France in 1873 at the age of 66. He had been weakened by a flu-like illness before succumbing to the infection.
What prevention methods are there to avoid erysipelas?
Prevention involves appropriate and complete treatment of streptococcal infections, including strep throat and wound infections.
What treatment exists for patients with erysipelas?
Penicillin is the drug of choice for treating erysipelas. It can usually be given by mouth, although in severe cases (or in cases of diagnosed bacteremia) it may be given through a needle placed in a vein (intravenously). hi I m 37 years old woman, have erysipelas very often, 11 years ago i had vein operation and erysipelas gone, but after 11 years it came back but another place ( around my anus), after bowel mouvement it's begines... doctor said me that i have anal fissure an need operation., but he is not sure if infection comes back again or not.. i want to noticed that paniciline doesn't helps me, I took already many antibiotice , even bicilin 5, one times every 4 weeks.. but now I feel very bad . do someone knows another idea? thank you
What species causes streptococcal pharyngitis?
Streptococcus pyogenes infections may take the form of pharyngitis, scarlet fever (rash), impetigo, cellulitis, or erysipelas.
What is Milians ear sign?
MILIAN'S EAR SIGN- Erysipelas can spread to pinna (cuticular affection), where as cellulitis cannot.http://usmle.egmedicine.com/various-eponymous-signs-in-ent.html
What part of the body does erysipelas manifest?
An acute inflammation of dermal layer of skin, occurring primarily in infants and person over 30 years of age with a history of streptococcal sore throat.
