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Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
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Erysipelas is an infectious disease of humans caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus and occurring in acute (primary) or chronic (recurrent) form with pronounced symptoms of intoxication and focal serous or serous-hemorrhagic inflammation of the skin (mucous membranes).
What causes erysipelas?
Erysipelas is a skin and mucous membrane lesion caused by streptococcus. Microorganisms usually penetrate through small cracks in the skin, as well as hematogenous and lymphogenous routes. For prevention and selection of treatment methods, it is necessary to take into account that streptococcus spreads through the lymphatic pathways and capillaries, capturing new areas of tissue.
What are the symptoms of erysipelas?
The following forms of erysipelas are distinguished: mild form - erythematous - characterized by sharp reddening and swelling of the skin; bullous (moderate) is accompanied by vesicular-pustular rashes against the background of more pronounced tissue edema; phlegmonous-gangrenous (severe form) - occurs with the development of inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue with necrosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
Symptoms of erysipelas before the appearance of local changes are often unclear: malaise, headache, chills, increased body temperature to 39-40° C. Local changes are very characteristic: redness of the skin (hyperemia) appears with a distinct border in the form of tongues of flame, festoons, which captures more and more areas of the skin.
If you look from the side, the edges of the inflamed skin are raised above the healthy skin. The skin temperature in the affected area is higher than the body temperature.
As tissue edema increases, blisters with light or cloudy contents may appear. This indicates a severe form of erysipelas.
As the inflammatory process spreads, previously affected areas of the skin may turn pale and their swelling may decrease.
The progression of inflammation is accompanied by a rise in body temperature to 39-41° C. In severe cases of the inflammatory process, confusion of consciousness at high temperatures and delirium may be observed.
Erysipelas may be accompanied by the development of thrombophlebitis, nephritis, and pneumonia.
What's bothering you?
What do need to examine?
What tests are needed?
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How is erysipelas treated?
Treatment of erysipelas includes antibacterial therapy (penicillin 500,000 IU 4-6 times a day intramuscularly or intravenously), local treatment (UV irradiation for the erythematous form, dressings with ointments containing antiseptics), increasing the body's defenses (easily digestible, vitamin-rich food, in severe cases - transfusion of fresh citrated blood, etc.).
Patients with erysipelas should be isolated from others. Usually, in uncomplicated cases, the duration of the disease does not exceed 10 days.