Erysipelas

Acute inflammation of the skin (less often the mucous membrane) of infectious origin. The causative agent of erysipelas - streptococcus - penetrates the skin through scratches, abrasions, abrasions, scratching, etc. Erysipelas can also develop as a complication of a purulent wound, carbuncle, on the skin around a purulent focus containing streptococci.

The disease usually begins suddenly with chills, headache, often vomiting, body temperature rises to 39-40°, and sometimes delirium occurs. Bright redness (erythema) appears on the affected skin, the reddened area slightly rises above the level of healthy skin, has sharply defined scalloped boundaries in the form of flames, quickly increases in size, causes a burning sensation, and occasionally minor pain (color table, art. 193 , Fig. 4). Erythematous erysipelas sometimes goes away spontaneously (without treatment) in 3-7 days, but it can drag on and move from one part of the body to another (wandering erysipelas).

In more severe bullous erysipelas, purulent or clear fluid-filled blisters form on the reddened skin. Even more severe is phlegmonous erysipelas, accompanied by the development of subcutaneous phlegmon. In the most severe form, gangrenous erysipelas, the skin becomes dead.

But even with the mildest erythematous erysipelas, complications cannot be excluded, including such dangerous ones as blood poisoning (sepsis), and with erysipelas in the facial area, inflammation of the meninges (meningitis). If you suspect erysipelas, you should immediately consult a doctor. Home remedies, previously very common (camphor oil, chalk powder, red flannel wraps, etc.), are completely pointless, and warm compresses are simply dangerous.

You should also not lubricate the affected skin with iodine, ichthyol ointment, or dyes; they mask the redness, which makes diagnosis difficult, especially with erysipelas of the scalp. Here, redness often occurs only along the very edge of the affected area, while the rest of its surface may turn pale (the so-called alba), and hair makes inspection difficult. After suffering (especially untreated) erysipelas, the patient sometimes remains increased sensitivity (sensitization) to the causative agent of erysipelas; then the erysipelas recurs from time to time, usually in the same place (habitual erysipelas on the lower extremities with repeated outbreaks leads to elephantiasis.

Prevention of erysipelas consists of keeping the skin clean, immediately treating minor injuries with alcohol solution of iodine or other antiseptics (see Wounds, wounds). This should be observed especially strictly by persons who have had erysipelas, and even more so by those who are susceptible to repeated outbreaks. The contagiousness of erysipelas is insignificant, but still people around the patient should not touch his affected skin; after touching, they must wash their hands thoroughly, wipe them with cologne or alcohol, and avoid damaging their own skin.

Erysipelas is an acute infectious disease of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by bacteria - group A streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus. This is an acute infectious disease caused by strepto-staphylococcus. It is particularly painful, high in temperature and affects the skin.