Erysipelas

Erysipelas on the cheecks.
Source: PubMed Health 

Erysipelas

Erysipelas is the bacterial infection of the deeper layers of the skin including the dermis and the upper part of the subcutaneous tissue. The bacteria usually reach that depth through a wound or a minor abrasion in the skin. Erysipelas may fade spontaneously without any treatment within one to three weeks with some pigmentation left behind.

Symptoms

The symptoms of erysipelas include the presence of well defined red and painful swelling of the skin extending over a big area, called a plaque. Fever and rigors are usually present in patients with erysipelas, similar to any deep bacterial infection.

In some cases, it may be accompanied with bleeding, especially in elder patients. Erysipelas usually occurs in the face and limbs. The abdominal bacterial wall may be also affected.

Treatment

Erysipelas can heal, in some cases, on its own without any medical treatment within one to three weeks. But, it leaves behind an area of minor pigmentation.

The treatment of erysipelas includes rest to allow the skin to heal. Anti-pyretic medications such as paracetamol (Paracetamol) are very powerful in relieving both pain and fever.

Anti-biotic therapy is very effective against erysipelas. Penicillin (Penicillin V) is very powerful against the organism. Sometimes, penicillin is contra-indicated as some patient may be sensitive to penicillin. And, in other cases, the organism is resistant against penicillin. In this case, erythromycin (Erythrocin) is indicated.