dermatologic disorders
Erysipelas
Introduction
Erysipelas is a type of superficial Cellulitis with dermal lymphatic involvement. Diagnosis is clinical. Treatment is with oral or parenteral antibiotics. (See also Overview of Bacterial Skin Infections .) Erysipelas should not be confused with Erysipeloid , a skin infection caused by Erysipelas is characterized clinically by shiny, raised, indurated, and tender plaques with distinct margins. High fever, chills, and malaise frequently accompany erysipelas. There is also a bullous form of erysipelas. Erysipelas is characterized by shiny, raised, indurated, and tender plaque-like lesions with distinct margins. Image provided by Thomas Habif, MD. Note the sharp line of demarcation and bright red color, features that distinguish erysipelas from cellulitis. © Springer Science+Business Media This image shows the bullous form of erysipelas. Image courtesy of Karen McKoy, MD. Erysipelas is most often caused by group A (or rarely group C or G) beta-hemolytic streptococci and occurs most frequently on the legs and face. Other causes includeStaphylococcus aureus(including methicillin-resistantS. aureus[MRSA]),Klebsiella pneumoniae,Haemophilus influenzae,Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus warneri,Streptococcus pneumoniae,Streptococcus pyogenes, andMoraxellaspecies. Erysipelas may be recurrent and may result in chronic lymphedema. Complications of erysipelas commonly include thrombophlebitis, abscesses, and gangrene. 