Erysipelas

erysipelas (ĕrəsĭp`ələs), acute infection of the skin characterized by a sharply demarcated, shiny red swelling, accompanied by high fever and a feeling of general illness. The causative agent is the hemolytic streptococcus, which often enters the body through a break in the skin. Erysipelas affects the skin of the face so frequently that when it strikes other parts of the body, it may often be misdiagnosed. Bacteremia (blood poisoning) and pneumonia are the most common complications. Erysipelas is a highly contagious disease that was formerly dangerous to life; however, it can now be quickly controlled by antibiotic therapy.

---

erysipelas

an acute streptococcal infectious disease of the skin, characterized by fever, headache, vomiting, and purplish raised lesions, esp on the face

---

erysipelas [‚er·ə′sip·ə·ləs]

(medicine)

An acute, infectious bacterial disease caused byStreptococcus pyogenesand characterized by inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues.

---

Erysipelas 

an infectious disease caused by hemolytic streptococci and characterized by the development of acute inflammatory changes in the skin and cutaneous mucosa and lymphatic vessels. The disease is related to both the invasion of the causative agent and individual predisposition, or allergy, to hemolytic streptococci. There are two types of erysipelas: primary and secondary. In primary erysipelas infection occurs as a result of the invasion of a streptococcus into a microtrauma, scratch, or abrasion; in secondary erysipelas infection develops as a complication of a local purulent process, such as a furuncle or infected wound.

Erysipelatous inflammation is marked by the local serous edema of the tissues with the accompanying enlargement of the capillary lattice and congestion in the capillaries; this condition, known as the erythematous form of erysipelas, causes the skin to swell and redden. The accumulation of a large quantity of edematous fluid may cause the external layer of the skin to exfoliate, leading to the formation of bullas; this is the bullous form of erysipelas. Suppuration of the bullous areas of the skin results in the development of phlegmonous erysipelas. The development of the necrosis of tissue in weakened diseased individuals results in gangrenous, or necrotic, erysipelas.

The general symptoms of erysipelas are a sudden rise in body temperature to 40°–41°C, chills, weakness, headache, and vomiting. With excessive intoxication, consciousness may be impaired. Sections of edematous and reddened skin with distinct and irregularly shaped boundaries are found predominantly on the face or lower extremities and cause a burning and bulging pain. Adjacent lymph nodes become enlarged and painful. The disease lasts one to two weeks, after which the body temperature rapidly returns to normal and the general condition of the individual improves. The edema and the skin reddening disappear more slowly.

Frequently relapses occur, leading to chronic changes in tissues and functional disturbances. Severe complications of erysipelas include the spread of the infectious process from the skin to adjacent tissues and the transfer of the causative agent by way of the blood to other organs and tissues, resulting in the development of a general infection.

Treatment is usually conducted in a hospital and includes the use of local physiotherapeutic procedures, the administration of antibiotics and sulfanilamide preparations, and the observance of a bed regimen and rest for the affected extremities. Preventive measures include the early and comprehensive treatment of microtraumas, abrasions, and excoriations.

REFERENCE

Gal’perin, E. A., and R. R. Ryskind. Rozha. Moscow, 1966. (Bibliography.)

V. F. POZHARISKII