What is erysipelas caused by?
Erysipelas is an infection of the upper layers of the skin (superficial). The most common cause is group A streptococcal bacteria, especially Streptococcus pyogenes. Erysipelas results in a fiery red rash with raised edges that can easily be distinguished from the skin around it.
Can erysipelas go away on its own?
Erysipelas is curable. Signs of a fever and illness associated with erysipelas will often disappear within a few days of starting treatment, although the skin infection can take weeks to clear up. There is no scarring. About one third of those who receive treatment for erysipelas develop the condition again.
Can erysipelas be fatal?
Although generally easily and successfully treated with oral antibiotics, with a mortality rate of less than 1% in treated cases, erysipelas can be fatal when associated with bacteremia in very young, elderly, or immunocompromised patients.
What skin lesions are characteristic for erysipelas?
Lesions of erysipelas are characterized by hot, edematous, erythematous plaques with well-defined, often rapidly advancing, margins. Vesicles and bullae may be present and can even be hemorrhagic. Fever, malaise and lymphadenopathy accompany cutaneous infection.
How do you prevent erysipelas?
The prevention of an episode of erysipelas calls for correct personal hygiene and adequate use of topical antiseptics in case of skin effraction, even when minimal. When erysipelas is established, a rapidly initiated antibiotic treatment for a prolonged period prevents streptococcal gangrene complications.
What happens if you don’t treat erysipelas?
Untreated bacterial skin infections can cause various complications. These include the following: The spread of pus-producing infection and abscesses: Especially in cellulitis, an infection with pus can spread to deeper tissue (such as muscle tissue).
What antibiotics treat erysipelas?
Penicillin is the standard therapy for typical erysipelas, although coverage for Staphylococcus aureus should be considered in the appropriate setting.
Can amoxicillin treat erysipelas?
Erysipelas is an acute dermo-hypodermal infection due to streptococcus. To date no resistance of theses bacteria to amoxicillin was described. The diagnosis of erysipelas is clinical….Short Course of Amoxicillin for Erysipelas (SHARE)
| Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| Erysipelas | Drug: Amoxicillin | Phase 4 |
What is the other term for erysipelas?
Erysipelas. Other names. Ignis sacer, holy fire, St. Anthony’s fire.