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Erysipelas

Barbara M. Kiersz Mueller, DO Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Distinct form of cellulitis: an acute, well-demarcated, superficial bacterial skin infection (most commonly on face or leg) with lymphatic involvement almost always caused by Strepto...

DIAGNOSIS

Prodromal symptoms before the skin eruption of erysipelas may include: 
  • Moderate- to high-grade fever

  • Chills

  • Headache

  • Malaise

  • Anorexia, usually in the first 48 hours

  • Vomiting

  • Arthralgias

ALERT

It is ...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Symptomatic treatment of myalgias and fever

  • Adequate fluid intake

  • Local treatment with cold compresses

  • Elevation of affected extremity

  • Appropriate therapy for any underlying pred...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Bed rest with elevation of extremity during acute infection and then activity as tolerated 

PROGNOSIS

  • Patients should recover fully if adequately treated.

  • May experi...

REFERENCES

1
Jendoubi F, Rohde M, Prinz JC. Intracellular Streptococcal Uptake and Persistence: a Potential Cause of Erysipelas Recurrence. Front Med. 2019;6. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2019.00006. ...

CODES

ICD10

A46 Erysipelas 

SNOMED

  • 44653001 Erysipelas (disorder)

  • 402925001 Erysipelas of lower limb (disorder)

  • 240425002 Facial erysipelas (disorder)

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Athlete’s foot is the most common portal of entry.

  • Erysipelas is distinguished from cellulitis by its sharp, shiny, fiery-red, raised border.

  • In recurrent cases, search for other possibl...

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