Infectious disease that affects the dermis, the skin's most superficial layer. It is more common in people over 50, obese and diabetics.
It is caused by an infection by bacteria, usually from the group A family of streptococci, such as S.pyogenes, which enter the body through a wound or ulcer. Diseases such as immunosuppression, diabetes, alcoholism or smoking are considered risk factors.
It is characterised by red, shiny, raised, hard, painful patches with well-defined borders, located on the face, hands and/or legs. They may be accompanied by high fever, chills and malaise. There is also a more severe form of erysipelas with blisters, called erysipelas bullosa, in which the patches are accompanied by blisters with fluid inside.
The diagnosis is made by the clinic and it differs from cellulitis in that the latter is deeper and less well defined.
Treatment is based on the use of penicillin or erythromycin-type antibiotics for 10-14 days. Paracetamol will be added if there is a fever and anti-inflammatory drugs if there is pain. Blisters can be treated with creams. In severe cases with necrosis, surgery may be necessary. This disease may be recurrent and cause chronic lymphoedema. Other complications include thrombophlebitis, abscesses, and gangrene.
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