Erysipelas

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

A superficial form of bacterial cellulitis

Question 2

Which part of the skin does it affect?

Answer 2

The upper dermis and extends into the superficial cutaneous lymphatics

Question 3

What causes it?

Answer 3

Staph aureus, strep pyogenes, strep pneumoniae

Question 4

Who is affected?

Answer 4

Usually infants and elderly

Question 5

What are the usual risk factors? (13)

Answer 5

Previous episodes, breaks in the skin barrier, current or prior skin injury, exposure of umbilical cord in newborns or vaccination site injury, nasopharyngeal infection, venous disease, diabetes, obesity, alcoholism, HIV, nephrotic syndrome, pregnancy

Question 6

Signs and Symptoms (13)

Answer 6

Abrupt onset, fever, chills, rigors, lower limbs and face (butterfly distribution), sharp raised border, bright red, firm, swollen, blistered/necrotic, purpura, pain, warmth

Question 7

What are the complications? (10)

Answer 7

Abcess, gangrene, thrombophlebitis, chronic leg swelling, septic arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, post-strep glomerulonephritis, cavernous sinus thrombosis, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome

Question 8

What is the treatment? (6)

Answer 8

Cold packs, analgesics, elevation, compression, oral/IV Penicillin or Erythromycin in pen.allergy, Vancomycin for MRSA, wound care