Erysipelas (patient information)

Erysipelas
Overview
What are the symptoms?
What are the causes?
Who is at highest risk?
When to seek urgent medical care?
Diagnosis
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Erysipelas?
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Possible complications
Prevention
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Erysipelas is a type of skin infection (cellulitis).

What are the symptoms of Erysipelas?

• 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

What causes Erysipelas?

Erysipelas is usually caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria.

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.

Who is at highest risk?

The condition may affect both children and adults.

Diagnosis

Erysipelas is diagnosed based on how the skin looks. A biopsy of the skin is usually not needed.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if you have a skin sore (lesion) that looks like erysipelas.

Treatment options

Antibiotics 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.

Where to find medical care for Erysipelas?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Erysipelas

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

With treatment, the outcome is good. It may take a few weeks for the skin to return to normal. Peeling is common.

Possible complications

In 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

Prevention of Erysipelas

Keep your skin healthy by avoiding dry skin and preventing cuts and scrapes. This may reduce the risk for erysipelas.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000618.htm