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Erysipelas Causes and Risks:
Erysipelas is a severe form of cellulitis in which the infection is caused by streptococcus
(strep) or occasionally with staphylococcus (staph), both of which are normal skin bacteria. Erysipelas is uncommon, affecting 1 out of 10,000 people.
The skin normally has many types of bacteria on it, but intact skin is an effective barrier that keeps bacteria from entering and growing within the body. When there is a break in the skin, bacteria can enter the body and grow there, causing inflammation and infection.
The inflammation of erysipelas occurs most commonly on the cheeks. The infection is characterized by systemic illness, pain, and a fever . A bright red spot appears, often near the tip of the nose. It quickly spreads to the cheeks and tends to enlarge rapidly. It may follow a respiratory infection such as a cold, when the nose may become raw or chapped.
Prevention:
Keeping any skin breaks clean may reduce the risk. Many cases are not preventable.
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
Inspection shows inflammation involving the superficial skin tissues.
- A CBC indicates infection, and a WBC is elevated.
- An ESR ( sed rate ) is elevated.
- A biopsy and culture of affected skin areas may grow streptococcus (or occasionally, staphylococcus).
- Blood cultures may be positive (showing infection in the bloodstream).
Treatment:
The goal of treatment is eradication of the infection.
Antibiotics are used to treat the infection. Analgesics may be needed to control pain. Antipyretics such as acetaminophen - oral may be needed to control fever .
Elevate the infected area (head) to reduce swelling . Warm, moist compresses will increase circulation in the area and promote healing.
Prognosis:
Erysipelas can be life threatening (because of spread of infection) if not treated promptly. Treatment usually controls the disease within one week.
Complications:
- recurrence of infection
- damage to the skin, scarring, gangrene (uncommon)
- spread of the infection to other areas
- systemic toxicity, septic shock
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms indicate erysipelas may be present.
Infection of the skin tissue that is caused by streptococcus is called erysipelas. It may produce symptoms that affect the entire body (systemic), including fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting.
Erysipelas on the face: Erysipelas is an infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by streptococcus. This condition causes systemic (whole body) symptoms including fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Bilateral infection, as seen in this picture, is uncommon.
Erysipelas produces a rash that is red, slightly swollen, with very defined borders (well demarcated), warm, and tender to the touch. In this photograph, the right cheek is involved. There may be symptoms that affect the entire body (systemic) including fever and chills.
Erysipelas produces a rash that is red, slightly swollen, very defined (well demarcated), warm, and tender to the touch. This individual has infection in the skin on both sides of the face, however, bilateral (both side) involvement is infrequent. Erysipelas may produce symptoms that affect the entire body (systemic) such as fever and chills.
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